Oil checking issues: I know...again
Discussion
Hey folks,
I have some issues checking my oil. I know this is very common with these speed 6 engines and so I have read a fair number of threads already including:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Which were helpful. To summarise I am doing this:
1) Up to operating temp (65+)
2) Leave engine running, open service bonnet, remove dip stick and wipe
3) Engine off
4) Jump around and get a reading dipping, then one screwing (ooo er) and do it a couple of times
I then would add some more oil, drive around a bit more to get back to temp, and check again. I've now done this three times, and have added about a litre of oil.
The issue is that the level doesn't seem to be moving much and I would of thought after this much oil it would of. Here's some dip stick shots. This is screwed in. After seconds there's nothing from just a dip.
After 250ml of oil and a 45 mile drive (probably 75 degrees oil temp):
After another 750ml of oil and a short drive just to get it back to 65 degrees oil temp:
You can see there's no change! I did an interim one after adding 500ml, but no different. The only change compared to pre any new oil (i.e. a few days ago) seems to be signs of oil when screwed in compared to nothing before.
I even tried dipping while it was running but oil just gets all over the dipstick so hard to see what's what. In the pic it kind of looks like it's just over max (concentrated) but in real life it was much harder to tell.
I've also got a torch down there and can see the baffle and the mesh in the baffle holes, no oil on top or signs of it being close. I've probably driven the car ~50 miles now and I find it hard to believe the previous owner would of left it so down on oil as he'd really looked after the car.
So the question. Would you keep going? I'm also a little worried I ran it all at low oil levels (if I have low oil levels). But what happens if I end up adding another 500ml or litre and measurement doesn't budge? I don't want to overfill either. And there's a possibility in my head I'm being a numpty in checking it? But I can change discs, pads, oil, filters, suspension bits on other cars so I feel I can follow oil check procedure!
I have some issues checking my oil. I know this is very common with these speed 6 engines and so I have read a fair number of threads already including:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Which were helpful. To summarise I am doing this:
1) Up to operating temp (65+)
2) Leave engine running, open service bonnet, remove dip stick and wipe
3) Engine off
4) Jump around and get a reading dipping, then one screwing (ooo er) and do it a couple of times
I then would add some more oil, drive around a bit more to get back to temp, and check again. I've now done this three times, and have added about a litre of oil.
The issue is that the level doesn't seem to be moving much and I would of thought after this much oil it would of. Here's some dip stick shots. This is screwed in. After seconds there's nothing from just a dip.
After 250ml of oil and a 45 mile drive (probably 75 degrees oil temp):
After another 750ml of oil and a short drive just to get it back to 65 degrees oil temp:
You can see there's no change! I did an interim one after adding 500ml, but no different. The only change compared to pre any new oil (i.e. a few days ago) seems to be signs of oil when screwed in compared to nothing before.
I even tried dipping while it was running but oil just gets all over the dipstick so hard to see what's what. In the pic it kind of looks like it's just over max (concentrated) but in real life it was much harder to tell.
I've also got a torch down there and can see the baffle and the mesh in the baffle holes, no oil on top or signs of it being close. I've probably driven the car ~50 miles now and I find it hard to believe the previous owner would of left it so down on oil as he'd really looked after the car.
So the question. Would you keep going? I'm also a little worried I ran it all at low oil levels (if I have low oil levels). But what happens if I end up adding another 500ml or litre and measurement doesn't budge? I don't want to overfill either. And there's a possibility in my head I'm being a numpty in checking it? But I can change discs, pads, oil, filters, suspension bits on other cars so I feel I can follow oil check procedure!
Rob-c33sg said:
Hey folks,
I have some issues checking my oil. I know this is very common with these speed 6 engines and so I have read a fair number of threads already including:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Which were helpful. To summarise I am doing this:
1) Up to operating temp (65+)
2) Leave engine running, open service bonnet, remove dip stick and wipe
3) Engine off
4) Jump around and get a reading dipping, then one screwing (ooo er) and do it a couple of times
I then would add some more oil, drive around a bit more to get back to temp, and check again. I've now done this three times, and have added about a litre of oil.
The issue is that the level doesn't seem to be moving much and I would of thought after this much oil it would of. Here's some dip stick shots. This is screwed in. After seconds there's nothing from just a dip.
After 250ml of oil and a 45 mile drive (probably 75 degrees oil temp):
After another 750ml of oil and a short drive just to get it back to 65 degrees oil temp:
You can see there's no change! I did an interim one after adding 500ml, but no different. The only change compared to pre any new oil (i.e. a few days ago) seems to be signs of oil when screwed in compared to nothing before.
I even tried dipping while it was running but oil just gets all over the dipstick so hard to see what's what. In the pic it kind of looks like it's just over max (concentrated) but in real life it was much harder to tell.
I've also got a torch down there and can see the baffle and the mesh in the baffle holes, no oil on top or signs of it being close. I've probably driven the car ~50 miles now and I find it hard to believe the previous owner would of left it so down on oil as he'd really looked after the car.
So the question. Would you keep going? I'm also a little worried I ran it all at low oil levels (if I have low oil levels). But what happens if I end up adding another 500ml or litre and measurement doesn't budge? I don't want to overfill either. And there's a possibility in my head I'm being a numpty in checking it? But I can change discs, pads, oil, filters, suspension bits on other cars so I feel I can follow oil check procedure!
I think the clue there is in the first pic, your dipstick is looking drier than a nuns letterbox, put in another half litre and check the oil level cold on a flat surface with engine off, should be just above the minimum mark then get the engine up to temperature and check again with engine off and cap unscrewed should be nearer the max level.I have some issues checking my oil. I know this is very common with these speed 6 engines and so I have read a fair number of threads already including:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Which were helpful. To summarise I am doing this:
1) Up to operating temp (65+)
2) Leave engine running, open service bonnet, remove dip stick and wipe
3) Engine off
4) Jump around and get a reading dipping, then one screwing (ooo er) and do it a couple of times
I then would add some more oil, drive around a bit more to get back to temp, and check again. I've now done this three times, and have added about a litre of oil.
The issue is that the level doesn't seem to be moving much and I would of thought after this much oil it would of. Here's some dip stick shots. This is screwed in. After seconds there's nothing from just a dip.
After 250ml of oil and a 45 mile drive (probably 75 degrees oil temp):
After another 750ml of oil and a short drive just to get it back to 65 degrees oil temp:
You can see there's no change! I did an interim one after adding 500ml, but no different. The only change compared to pre any new oil (i.e. a few days ago) seems to be signs of oil when screwed in compared to nothing before.
I even tried dipping while it was running but oil just gets all over the dipstick so hard to see what's what. In the pic it kind of looks like it's just over max (concentrated) but in real life it was much harder to tell.
I've also got a torch down there and can see the baffle and the mesh in the baffle holes, no oil on top or signs of it being close. I've probably driven the car ~50 miles now and I find it hard to believe the previous owner would of left it so down on oil as he'd really looked after the car.
So the question. Would you keep going? I'm also a little worried I ran it all at low oil levels (if I have low oil levels). But what happens if I end up adding another 500ml or litre and measurement doesn't budge? I don't want to overfill either. And there's a possibility in my head I'm being a numpty in checking it? But I can change discs, pads, oil, filters, suspension bits on other cars so I feel I can follow oil check procedure!
My first Tamora had this happen after an engine rebuild, picked it up from the local Tvr dealer drove it home but could not get a reading on the dipstick, took it back to the dealer the next morning and the mechanic had to put in over 2 litres of oil to get a reading on the dipstick, something to do with nooks and crannies he said, was fine afterwards
Good luck and post back later with an update
Gladers01 said:
I think the clue there is in the first pic, your dipstick is looking drier than a nuns letterbox, put in another half litre and check the oil level cold on a flat surface with engine off, should be just above the minimum mark then get the engine up to temperature and check again with engine off and cap unscrewed should be nearer the max level.
My first Tamora had this happen after an engine rebuild, picked it up from the local Tvr dealer drove it home but could not get a reading on the dipstick, took it back to the dealer the next morning and the mechanic had to put in over 2 litres of oil to get a reading on the dipstick, something to do with nooks and crannies he said, was fine afterwards
Good luck and post back later with an update
Thanks. I had a few over on the TVR forum suggesting to do an oil and filter change because then you know where you are. Or I could just get it to Powers Performance as service is due anyway (12k) so I'll give them a call.My first Tamora had this happen after an engine rebuild, picked it up from the local Tvr dealer drove it home but could not get a reading on the dipstick, took it back to the dealer the next morning and the mechanic had to put in over 2 litres of oil to get a reading on the dipstick, something to do with nooks and crannies he said, was fine afterwards
Good luck and post back later with an update
Your story gives me a little more confidence to chuck in some more, it's a bit worrying I was booted it a bit when it was so low before going down this checking route. Never would of imagined it was so low.
Checking cold is a bit difficult because my drive is slightly sloped so to check cold I'd have to start it and stop immediately and not wild about doing that a lot (battery, wear etc)
Rob, as I replied on the TVRCC forum, if the oil pressure is acceptable, you wont damage your engine.
Put in another litre and see what level you get. The dry sump tank is what, 60mm or 70mm in the front/back dimension...so a little slope is NOT going to throw a dip reading hugely out. I'd agree with getting flatness if one side of the car was much higher than the other...as the side/side dimension of the tank is 250mm/300mm.
Nick
Put in another litre and see what level you get. The dry sump tank is what, 60mm or 70mm in the front/back dimension...so a little slope is NOT going to throw a dip reading hugely out. I'd agree with getting flatness if one side of the car was much higher than the other...as the side/side dimension of the tank is 250mm/300mm.
Nick
All good advice, but I think the hard and fast rule is.......there is no hard and fast rule 
For example after a week of no use my dip stick is showing half way between empty and full - when stone cold! It only had a service last month and I haven't added any oil.
To a greater extent I also go by oil pressure as mentioned above but as all engines are different it is something you need to get used to about your car. When up to tempersature (oil not water of course) I will see about 70 psi at 3k revs.
For example after a week of no use my dip stick is showing half way between empty and full - when stone cold! It only had a service last month and I haven't added any oil.
To a greater extent I also go by oil pressure as mentioned above but as all engines are different it is something you need to get used to about your car. When up to tempersature (oil not water of course) I will see about 70 psi at 3k revs.
The lottery goes on 
Here is the reading with the car on the drive, stone cold. So, quite a bit above min compared to other's cold reports. Here's the slope as well. This way around though I'd expect a lower reading, not higher! This is fully screwed in by the way.
So I'm going to hold off chuckling in another half litre or litre! Might cold start it and get it on the flat then wait for a few hours and check again. Then get it warm on a drive and check the oil pressure.
Here is the reading with the car on the drive, stone cold. So, quite a bit above min compared to other's cold reports. Here's the slope as well. This way around though I'd expect a lower reading, not higher! This is fully screwed in by the way.
So I'm going to hold off chuckling in another half litre or litre! Might cold start it and get it on the flat then wait for a few hours and check again. Then get it warm on a drive and check the oil pressure.
Rob-c33sg said:
The lottery goes on
Here is the reading with the car on the drive, stone cold. So, quite a bit above min compared to other's cold reports. Here's the slope as well. This way around though I'd expect a lower reading, not higher! This is fully screwed in by the way.
So I'm going to hold off chuckling in another half litre or litre! Might cold start it and get it on the flat then wait for a few hours and check again. Then get it warm on a drive and check the oil pressure.
Looking better already, check it hot next after Here is the reading with the car on the drive, stone cold. So, quite a bit above min compared to other's cold reports. Here's the slope as well. This way around though I'd expect a lower reading, not higher! This is fully screwed in by the way.
So I'm going to hold off chuckling in another half litre or litre! Might cold start it and get it on the flat then wait for a few hours and check again. Then get it warm on a drive and check the oil pressure.
One thing to watch out for when the speedo stops working (especially with young ones in the car) is this, on my Mk1 Tuscan speedo suddenly stopped working on both the analogue and digital display whilst driving up the motorway, the missus was fiddling around with the radio and accidentally hit the door open button and sure enough it opened (there is a God) had to pull over to close the door properly, no harm done thankfully. The speedo transducer by the diff was found to be dirty, can only think without the pulses being sent to the passenger door Ecu the car assumed it was stationary allowing the doors to be opened at any speed
You could test this yourself at a low speed (assuming speedo still not working) preferably between lamp posts
Gladers01 said:
Looking better already, check it hot next after
One thing to watch out for when the speedo stops working (especially with young ones in the car) is this, on my Mk1 Tuscan speedo suddenly stopped working on both the analogue and digital display whilst driving up the motorway, the missus was fiddling around with the radio and accidentally hit the door open button and sure enough it opened (there is a God) had to pull over to close the door properly, no harm done thankfully. The speedo transducer by the diff was found to be dirty, can only think without the pulses being sent to the passenger door Ecu the car assumed it was stationary allowing the doors to be opened at any speed
You could test this yourself at a low speed (assuming speedo still not working) preferably between lamp posts
That is an amazing story! And a good idea and thought process on why they wouldn't work stationary. It's like diagnosing my Integra. I knew the speed sensor was OK because it wouldn't let me select reverse (above a certain speed it gates it off!).One thing to watch out for when the speedo stops working (especially with young ones in the car) is this, on my Mk1 Tuscan speedo suddenly stopped working on both the analogue and digital display whilst driving up the motorway, the missus was fiddling around with the radio and accidentally hit the door open button and sure enough it opened (there is a God) had to pull over to close the door properly, no harm done thankfully. The speedo transducer by the diff was found to be dirty, can only think without the pulses being sent to the passenger door Ecu the car assumed it was stationary allowing the doors to be opened at any speed
You could test this yourself at a low speed (assuming speedo still not working) preferably between lamp posts
I know you're all dying to know
Here is the hot check. Nothing just dipping, this is fully screwed in. So maybe slightly more than last time, but minimal change really.
Oil pressure is 70psi at 3k revs so that seems good. About 20 on idle once warm. So no issues there. I might add another 250-500ml see if that makes any difference to a hot check.
Here is the hot check. Nothing just dipping, this is fully screwed in. So maybe slightly more than last time, but minimal change really.
Oil pressure is 70psi at 3k revs so that seems good. About 20 on idle once warm. So no issues there. I might add another 250-500ml see if that makes any difference to a hot check.
Snaaakeey said:
Same for me too. Got the car out the garage . less than 600 miles from last service and couldn’t get a reading on the dip. Ended up with 2 litres going in it. Alls well. No idea where the 2 litres went! No leaks and no smoke what so ever.
It's nuts. I added another 500ml after another check still showed it only at the min when screwed in after a hot drive.Before that, I checked it cold, and rather than well above minimum like last time I checked cold, nothing on the dipstick at all. Same position! Crazy car.
Not had a hot drive since adding another 500ml (total 1.5l now) so not sure where hot is reading.
Just done another cold reading and 2/3 up the dipstick, just like after I added the 500ml when up to temp. Remember mine's on a slope, so it's more about consistency.
We'll see next time I drive it.
My experience is you will get a consistent reading on the dipstick if you follow this routine.
Warm up engine.Then hold at 2 to 2.5k revs,for a minute,then stop engine without letting it idle for more than a second or so.check tank.
You will now find you will need quite a bit more oil to have a full/ fullish tank.
Only issue with this method,is you may experience over flow issues if you allow your hot engine to idle for a while.
If you hold the engine at higher revs,the oil level is the same as 2/2.5k.
Warm up engine.Then hold at 2 to 2.5k revs,for a minute,then stop engine without letting it idle for more than a second or so.check tank.
You will now find you will need quite a bit more oil to have a full/ fullish tank.
Only issue with this method,is you may experience over flow issues if you allow your hot engine to idle for a while.
If you hold the engine at higher revs,the oil level is the same as 2/2.5k.
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