Oil Level on 500

[Loubaruch]

I have noticed on several occasions that when changing the oil on my 500 the level read on the dipstick can be misleading.

When refilled with 5 litres of fully synthetic, the dipstick level initially indicates considerably more is required. After starting the engine to check oil pressure and then waiting 10 minutes it still indicates well below Full. Go for a 5 mile run let the engine warm up and return, wait a few minutes and recheck oil the level now reads Full on the dipstick.

So where has the oil been hiding?

[phazed]

Have you an oil cooler?

[LordGrover]

Aren't you supposed to be on a beach or summink?

[cavebloke]

I've never checked this on the same day with the oil hot and cold after refilling like you describe but is it possible the volume of oil increases as it expands due to heat? If you measure the level with the oil at ambient temp and then hot there could easily be a difference of 80 degrees which would certainly change the volume a little but not sure it would be enough to "fill" the sump. I've heard it said that the dipstick full level should be set when the oil is at operating temp.

[phazed]

LordGrover said:

Aren't you supposed to be on a beach or summink?

Leaving Tuesday for the Pecos De Europa

[mcosh]

I've done nearly 100k on my car with an engine rebuild as precaution at 86k. When I refill after oil change I put in 6litres and then top up after running for a few mins. On the European trips I check oil every am and aways add a little.. I will use 5litre over 3k miles. Lots of people say that was excessive but clearly it's not as it didn't change even after rebuild. You definitely notice a level difference with the heat. This year in garda it was 34 and the engine fans worked hard but on checking levels every couple of hundred miles you could see the effects of the heat on the oil and it's expansion and also the altitude. My view is alway better to have a little to much than too little and check in the cool every am with a cold engine.!

[fausTVR]

To add, hot level checking would need a lot more than 10 mins waiting, an hour at least I'd say after switch off.

[Loubaruch]

Thanks for replies.

No oil cooler fitted

Have just checked it again (cold) and the level reads full so there seems to be very little expansion when hot.

Its still a mystery why when filled cold it only reads accurately after a run???