Now IMO this should be as simple as checking the dipstick when the engine is stone cold and on the level as thats what I have always done on the cossie.

So my question is.........why do other cars require specific methods for checking oil?

For example a E46 M3 is supposed to be warmed to normal temp then switched off for one mintute then oil level checked.

Im sure on mates 911 turbo the oil level must be checked with the engine running or something strange like that?

Why is this? and how do you check yours?

 

Check mine cold in the mornings before I go out for a drive, probably check it once a week or so.

Don't get why you'd check it warm, Any reason why

 

If i check the cossie when its warm there isvery little on the dipstick compared to if its been sitting for a few hours.

 

porsche is a dry sump system - hence it should be run ning....

most cars a re better off checked hot with a minute or two to rest after shut down.

Oil expands when it gets hot!

 

Alex I reckon i would have to over fill the cossie to get a reading I would be happy with on a hot engine....surely this cant be right?

 

Your only after enough oil to enure the pickup pipe can do its job!

Manufatures worry about oil degradation etc but most cossy owners change the oil too frquently for that.

 

I check the oil on the cossie virtually erytime I use it and can usually guess where the the oil level will be before I check it anyway.....SAD

 

So the min. and max. on the dipstick what they marked for?

As in, whats the min. is that where the pick up pipe is at its lowest?

 

If i run it for a minute then check it its between the half and full, but cold its just over the full as i have a fair bit of extra pipework and oil cooler to fill.

 

Min level still leaves plenty in the sump from what I have seen........

I know lots of guys that check the oil only to be none on the dipstick yet the engine was fine.

My mate had to put over a litre in his shogun the other day just get it onto the min mark!

I never let the cossie get below half way tho.

 

i make sure its stone cold. start the engine for about 15 seconds. turn it off. pull the dipstick out, wipe and wait for about half a minute and take a reading.

On my dads bmw though if I took a reading when stone cold and it showed 3/4 full on the dipstick. Then started it for a few seconds, turned it off, took another reading and then it showed just below min on the dipstick. So what's the correct reading?

 

sunday night ritual, iron my work shirts for the week and top up the oil on the cossie, how sad

 

why would you check your oil when cold ? is that how the engine uses the oil ? for 99.9999% of the cars run time the engine will be hot, this is when the oild needs to be correct (not saying when its cold it shouldnt be correct either)

oil should always be checked when at running temp, and the car has been placed on level ground, engine switched off for a few minutes. thats for all std 4cylinder wet sump motors i know of.

my diesel engine shows nothing on the dipstick when cold, when hot its fine, never uses a drop for 10,000 miles.

 

so you would expect you cossie to be WELL over the max on the dipstick if checked cold?

 

it can also depend on the type of pumping system as well, but like i say, if its right when hot - its right. what colour is your oil is another strange oil phenomenom

 

so how come when its stone cold and you check it, i find it reads more than when you start it for a few seconds and leave it to settle.

 

thinking back to my last cosworth engine, when cold the oillevel was always high, when hot it was always bang on.

yet my daily runner is exactly the opposite

 

Just read the sierra manual and it says that engine oil level should be checked on level ground and wait a short time before checking oil level to allow oil to flow back to the sump.

I have been doing it wrong all these years

 

check when cold..and dont fill up to the full mark on a YB 3/4 to the mark is what you need

 

That would explain why your dipstick feels like its goin up a wizards sleeve Euan

 

No, it will read LOWER when cold, as the oil hasnt expanded.

If it reads higher when cold, it means that your hot check wasnt after long enough standing to let the oil run down.

You want it properly up to temperature, then leave it for a good few mins.
(or just fill to 3/4 when cold, which works out fine on a YB IME)

 

of course that would be the case, to get a true reading on my zt anyway id read it cold as you aren't reading the engines oil volume if the engine has been turned over and pumped ioil into the head so what use is the dipstick? if the manual says 4.5 L of oil and it reads correct on the dipstick then why would i start it up the put loads more in?

 

Dave, thats a new dipstick aswell!

I actually wore the old one out

 

So, do you pour cold oil into a warm engine, or wait for it to cool down before adding oil ??? I suspect it might be ok in summer, but in winter, oil could be quite cold compared to head/cams/lifters/etc...

Always checked mine when cold so never really asked myself the question

 

always when warm on my cars, just left to settle for a few mins with engine off

 

cold oil into a warm engine isnt a problem, its not cold enough to cause thermal shock.

 

My car does the check for me, and just to point out the only time it has ever told me to top up the oil was whilst on the move so obvioulsy hot, same on my old dears merc.

 

The level was reading lower cause you were on the move, and hence the oil was all over the cams etc, NOT because it was hot (which will actually make it read HIGHER not lower)

 

The sad bit is ironing something you're going to be wearing to work!

 

can anyone help me ? ive got a s1 rs turbo with the electronic dipstick ! im not sure as to whether it should have the min and max mark like most otheres do ! mine doesnt have a min and max mark and wonder if it is broken ??

 

God Damn that search button!!!


I thought Euan had bought another Cossie

 

People dragging old posts........been loads over the last week ! Why ?

 

check your oil level every time you fill up with petrol

 

have we all ran out of subjects these days that we are having to start from the beginning ?

 

If you look at the bottom of the page, there is a similar threads link, so people see the same subject and click on it, even if the topic has been dead for years