Cold oil level
Discussion
Hi folks.
Permit me a quick query on a saturday morning.
Having read several threads on this a few weeks ago I was under the impression that although the oil should be checked when hot, it is possible with practise to obtain an accurate reading when cold. IIRC, the level cold should just be at the very base of the dipstick?? I checked my oil cold yesterday after just picking up the car from a 12k service and it was an inch or so above maximum when cold. Is this right?? Car in garage on totally level ground.
Cheers.
Permit me a quick query on a saturday morning.
Having read several threads on this a few weeks ago I was under the impression that although the oil should be checked when hot, it is possible with practise to obtain an accurate reading when cold. IIRC, the level cold should just be at the very base of the dipstick?? I checked my oil cold yesterday after just picking up the car from a 12k service and it was an inch or so above maximum when cold. Is this right?? Car in garage on totally level ground.
Cheers.
Hi
I'm no expert, but from what I understand it's due to the car having a dry sump. Best to research a bit how this works to get a better understanding. I think the oil reservoir is a catchment tank for excess oil and also where it drains to once the engine stops. Therefore when the car is up to temp, the engine is fully oiled and the excess required should stay reasonably unchanged. Once turned off, the oil will gradually leave the engine, but will not leave completely,the amount dependant on a few factors, so it's hard to take an accurate reading.
I'm no expert, but from what I understand it's due to the car having a dry sump. Best to research a bit how this works to get a better understanding. I think the oil reservoir is a catchment tank for excess oil and also where it drains to once the engine stops. Therefore when the car is up to temp, the engine is fully oiled and the excess required should stay reasonably unchanged. Once turned off, the oil will gradually leave the engine, but will not leave completely,the amount dependant on a few factors, so it's hard to take an accurate reading.
Thanks for the reply. I understand the dry sump thing - I had a corvette Z06 with a dry sump and when cold there was no oil on the dipstick at all which is why this worried me.
What worries me more - I came back from a long drive and checked the oil when hot. The level was around 3 cm above the max mark and there were a few bubbles at the top of that level on the dipstick. Overfilled oil? It just came back from a well-respected TVR specialist so surely not??
What worries me more - I came back from a long drive and checked the oil when hot. The level was around 3 cm above the max mark and there were a few bubbles at the top of that level on the dipstick. Overfilled oil? It just came back from a well-respected TVR specialist so surely not??
Could be a bit over filled. If you're worried best to get a basting syringe and suck a bit out. By the way, did you check it the moment your turned off the engine? As in, get the cap unscrewed ready, turn off, then quick as possible take a reading? Someone I know does it whilst the engine is still running!
Here's a reply I found from an old thread:
Here's a reply I found from an old thread:
dvs_dave said:
Don't worry about it, you haven't overfilled it. Only need to worry if the level is significantly above the max mark when cold, and even then it's no big deal.
Just start it up and the oil will then get sucked from the tank, pumped around the engine and you'll see all is well.
As an aside, if you do ever overfill it, and I mean by a lot (3/4 on the dip stick when cold is not overfilled), the worst than can happen is that the excess oil gets pushed up the oil tank breather pipe and into the airbox.
If you're really worried about the level, take the oil tank breather pipe off at the airbox and put the pipe end into an empty container to catch any overspill until the engine is up to temp.
It's a dry sump engine so overfilling it with oil just means that the oil system will purge any excess through the breather and just make a bit of a mess.
Just start it up and the oil will then get sucked from the tank, pumped around the engine and you'll see all is well.
As an aside, if you do ever overfill it, and I mean by a lot (3/4 on the dip stick when cold is not overfilled), the worst than can happen is that the excess oil gets pushed up the oil tank breather pipe and into the airbox.
If you're really worried about the level, take the oil tank breather pipe off at the airbox and put the pipe end into an empty container to catch any overspill until the engine is up to temp.
It's a dry sump engine so overfilling it with oil just means that the oil system will purge any excess through the breather and just make a bit of a mess.
I was always told its hard to check the oil when cold because you can't guarantee how much oil has drained out of the engine. It's why the most accurate way is to take the reading when warm and as soon after you turn off the engine as possible.
I don't bother screwing the cap down when checking. Some people do though.
I don't bother screwing the cap down when checking. Some people do though.
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