How wet should it be?

[T40ORA]

When checking the oil (engine hot) how wet should the dip stick be? Even after 19 months of ownership I'm not sure.

Does it just need to be 'damp' up to the max mark, or should the oil be adhering as you were checking a wet sump?

Does that make sense?

[VYT]

should be wet, just like pulling a dip stick from a wet sump.

[T40ORA]

VYT said:

should be wet, just like pulling a dip stick from a wet sump.

Cheers. I'll dump some in tomorrow. I know that too much doesn't hurt in a dry sump, but I like it when there is a definite "I need oil!" mark rather than a bit of guesswork.

[SEN 18]

T40ORA said:

VYT said:

should be wet, just like pulling a dip stick from a wet sump.

Cheers. I'll dump some in tomorrow. I know that too much doesn't hurt in a dry sump, but I like it when there is a definite "I need oil!" mark rather than a bit of guesswork.

Best way lee when checking level make sure its up to bottom of filler neck when hot forget the dip stick use a torch to see its that easy.

[T40ORA]

SEN 18 said:

T40ORA said:

VYT said:

should be wet, just like pulling a dip stick from a wet sump.

Cheers. I'll dump some in tomorrow. I know that too much doesn't hurt in a dry sump, but I like it when there is a definite "I need oil!" mark rather than a bit of guesswork.

Best way lee when checking level make sure its up to bottom of filler neck when hot forget the dip stick use a torch to see its that easy.

Really? Blimey, I've nearly lost my eyebrows several times when the engine is hot - think I'll scorch my eyeballs! Seriously though, can you see down the neck or do you need to hold a mirror over it? Too knackered to go out to the garage to investigate just now.

[FrancoTam]

I know what you mean, I've had mine a year now and still think its a ball ache to check the oil(beacuse it seems to vary so much).
If it is as easy as making sure it is up to the filler neck then I will be a lot happier. I take it that is with it running?

P.S. was it your car I seen up at Racing Green about a month ago?

[T40ORA]

FrancoTam said:

I know what you mean, I've had mine a year now and still think its a ball ache to check the oil(beacuse it seems to vary so much).
If it is as easy as making sure it is up to the filler neck then I will be a lot happier. I take it that is with it running?

P.S. was it your car I seen up at Racing Green about a month ago?

Might have been; It was in for a service and some other expensive stuff....

[Pie-Man]

I'm in my fourth year of T350t ownership and I'm still not sure about checking the oil level?!!

My current process is ... park on flat ground ... engine running ... girlfriend turns off engine ... immediately I remove cap & check oil????

In some seriously sad moments I've considered then checking every minute to plot when the level drops off!!??

Is there a definitive method?

[T40ORA]

I think that the nexttime that I'm passing Racing Green I'll pop in and get them to show me exactly what I'm supposed to be seeing.

[FrancoTam]

T40ORA said:

FrancoTam said:

I know what you mean, I've had mine a year now and still think its a ball ache to check the oil(beacuse it seems to vary so much).
If it is as easy as making sure it is up to the filler neck then I will be a lot happier. I take it that is with it running?

P.S. was it your car I seen up at Racing Green about a month ago?

Might have been; It was in for a service and some other expensive stuff....

Your car looks incredible by the way, love the interior. Did you manage to get your dash pod sorted?

I think I'll ask at Racing Green next time I'm there to demonstrate the correct proeedure to check oil!

[T40ORA]

Thanks for the compliment Andrew. Yeah, I still get a buzz from the way it looks.

Yep, get Martin at RG to demonstrate. I'll be going past on Friday so if I have time I might pop in then.

BTW I think I saw you in Brizzle a few months back, on sunny saturday. The wife and I were sitting outside a pub. I think we might have been getting in some practice before the beer festival later that day.

So if you remember a loony sitting outside a pub in town, near the big roundabout thingy, giving you the thumbs up - it was me!

Edited by T40ORA on Tuesday 23 October 14:18

[Andy11]

I wouldn't fill to the top of the filler neck because you will start to get oil going through the breather hose and into the air box, won't cause a problem but is very messy, also leaves oil on your garage floor and you will have heart stopping moments thinking you have a big bill coming your way.

[T40ORA]

Andy11 said:

I wouldn't fill to the top of the filler neck because you will start to get oil going through the breather hose and into the air box, won't cause a problem but is very messy, also leaves oil on your garage floor and you will have heart stopping moments thinking you have a big bill coming your way.

So back to bottom of neck?

[FrancoTam]

T40ORA said:

Thanks for the compliment Andrew. Yeah, I still get a buzz from the way it looks.

Yep, get Martin at RG to demonstrate. I'll be going past on Friday so if I have time I might pop in then.

BTW I think I saw you in Brizzle a few months back, on sunny saturday. The wife and I were sitting outside a pub. I think we might have been getting in some practice before the beer festival later that day.

So if you remember a loony sitting outside a pub in town, near the big roundabout thingy, giving you the thumbs up - it was me!

Edited by T40ORA on Tuesday 23 October 14:18

I think we all get lots of loonies giving us the thumbs up as they are such great looking cars!

Let me know what Martin says if you can?

[T40ORA]

Oh yes; bus load of foreign kids were snap happy over the car on Sunday - in the car park of the motor museum!

Yes, if I get in there I'll post up the directions.

[icraigmy]

When the engine is hot I check the oil level making sure that the bottom of the dip stick up to the max mark is covered with oil. Not sure if this is correct though. I'll ask Richard at Dulfords next Saturday as my Tam is down there at the moment being fixed.

[T40ORA]

icraigmy said:

When the engine is hot I check the oil level making sure that the bottom of the dip stick up to the max mark is covered with oil. Not sure if this is correct though. I'll ask Richard at Dulfords next Saturday as my Tam is down there at the moment being fixed.

Problem is, not sure what 'covered' means..... When I check the dip stick it has oil on it up to the maximum, but as it's not like putting it into a pool of oil dunno if it should be an even covering or a bit 'splattered'.

Yeah, ask Richard. I'll get Martin at RG to check mine and tell me (a) if it looks as it should, and (b) if not what it should look like.

Great cars - how many others would cause you to ask how to check the bloody oil properly?????

[FrancoTam]

icraigmy said:

When the engine is hot I check the oil level making sure that the bottom of the dip stick up to the max mark is covered with oil. Not sure if this is correct though. I'll ask Richard at Dulfords next Saturday as my Tam is down there at the moment being fixed.

Whats wrong with her at the moment?

[icraigmy]

FrancoTam said:

icraigmy said:

When the engine is hot I check the oil level making sure that the bottom of the dip stick up to the max mark is covered with oil. Not sure if this is correct though. I'll ask Richard at Dulfords next Saturday as my Tam is down there at the moment being fixed.

Whats wrong with her at the moment?

Took her down to Dulfords last Saturday to have a 6000 mile service and free MOT so that it was ready for the welsh trip on the sunday. Unfortunately it failed the MOT because the steering rack was leeking power steering fluid. Also 2 things were found wrong in the service.

1. Two engine mounts had completely perished causing the engine to drop onto the chassis. The engine must have been vibrating against the chassis which caused a dent. The engine mounts are being replaced with upgraded mounts which are much stronger - known TVR fault. Andrew you may need to check this as your Tam is the same year as mine.
2. Both bushes that sit on top of both rear nitrons have completely broken - these need replacing.

The engine is fine though.

The major thing is the power steering leeking fluid. Richard says they might be able to repair it there rather than send it away to be repaired. I thought it best to leave the Tam with them for the week and pick it up next Saturday serviced and MOT'ed. They lent me a car to get back home which was nice of them. Anyway I missed a good day on Sunday :-(

[T40ORA]

Didn't have time to drop into RG today; big rush as last minute holiday booked so had to fly back to do stuff.

Anyhow, I dumped a half litre of oil in anyway - and the appearance of the dipstick changed. So, it should look like you've just pulled it from a wet sump IMO. That is how I will gauge it anyway.

But if anyone finds out definitively from a dealer please let us all know.