Advice please,has garage over filled?
Discussion
Just had my Cerb back from having work done & she is smoking like mad! I have had it de-catted,which may I suppose account for a little more smoke,but its embarrassing.It was smoking before a little but not like this.
I think the garage has overfilled the oil.Problem is I have found getting a proper reading ridiculously hit & miss.It drains so quickly,even getting the dipstick ready before turning the engine off provides erratic & wildly varying results.
Anyway,I have resorted to the theory that if the oil just registers min on stone cold things should be ok when warm.
Mine is making over half way between min & max when stone cold.So is it overfilled or were the cats masking how much oil she was burning in the first place?
If it is the oil,what is the easiest way to drain a bit? Take it back is a valid point, but I really want to get involved with my car,but having never done any car maintenance before,I know a bit less than FA ! Yes I know,embarrassing,but now is the time to start.
Many thanks guys.
I think the garage has overfilled the oil.Problem is I have found getting a proper reading ridiculously hit & miss.It drains so quickly,even getting the dipstick ready before turning the engine off provides erratic & wildly varying results.
Anyway,I have resorted to the theory that if the oil just registers min on stone cold things should be ok when warm.
Mine is making over half way between min & max when stone cold.So is it overfilled or were the cats masking how much oil she was burning in the first place?
If it is the oil,what is the easiest way to drain a bit? Take it back is a valid point, but I really want to get involved with my car,but having never done any car maintenance before,I know a bit less than FA ! Yes I know,embarrassing,but now is the time to start.
Many thanks guys.
Davey, I think the oil level is reading a bit high, My SP6 is less than half your level when cold. You can drain some oil from the oil tank, there is a small bolt at the bottom of the tank facing the engine, that would allow some oil to be removed.
I am concerened about the amount of smoke the car is producing as this may indicate worn valves,Im not sure that an overfill at that amount would actually cause the smoking, but I am no expert, far from it,I tend to check my oil like this,
Flat ground engine running ,
release and open the bonnet,
release oil cap up to just being on and no more
Turn of engine
remove dipstick wipe and re insert
Screw down and then screw off,
remove and check the level.
George
I am concerened about the amount of smoke the car is producing as this may indicate worn valves,Im not sure that an overfill at that amount would actually cause the smoking, but I am no expert, far from it,I tend to check my oil like this,
Flat ground engine running ,
release and open the bonnet,
release oil cap up to just being on and no more
Turn of engine
remove dipstick wipe and re insert
Screw down and then screw off,
remove and check the level.
George
Think you're right George,definitely some engine work/rebuild coming my way.I was just alarmed at how much it has increased from dropping it off to picking it up.Don't know why but I suppose I was expecting it to get gradually worse.Can't do any engine work till at least next May .I'll drain some off & see if it makes any difference.If not then I'll put her away for the winter & start saving!
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.
I cant answer the question directly, but as others have intimated i think you may get some carryover to the airbox if its overfull and pressurising the tank, but whether that would cause noticable smoking im not so sure.
I would also be cautious about using cold oil readings, the amount that drains back into the engine is not a 'constant' and will not give you an accurate reading.
My method is to get her warm, when i arrive home leave her running, open the service bonnet, all but completely unscrew the oil filler cap, grap a cloth, lean round and kill the ignition then immediately check the level twice. It is tricky especially if you have clean oil!
I would also be cautious about using cold oil readings, the amount that drains back into the engine is not a 'constant' and will not give you an accurate reading.
My method is to get her warm, when i arrive home leave her running, open the service bonnet, all but completely unscrew the oil filler cap, grap a cloth, lean round and kill the ignition then immediately check the level twice. It is tricky especially if you have clean oil!
I think you can safely say though that if the oil is half way up the reservoir stick it is over filled.
Not sure about the Cerbera reservoir, but could you not slide something in there and drain the oil off from above. It'll be alot less messy than unscrewing a drain. If you havent got a vacum pump you could try a turkey baster, just to get back on the lower level of the stick.
Not sure about the Cerbera reservoir, but could you not slide something in there and drain the oil off from above. It'll be alot less messy than unscrewing a drain. If you havent got a vacum pump you could try a turkey baster, just to get back on the lower level of the stick.
1. Do a proper check with a hot engine/oil before going any further
2. Find out what viscosity oil the garage used, your usage might be exacerbated by this.
3. Take the top off the air box and see how damp it is in there. Note: it might not be blowback through the breather, it may be an over-oiled air filter.
2. Find out what viscosity oil the garage used, your usage might be exacerbated by this.
3. Take the top off the air box and see how damp it is in there. Note: it might not be blowback through the breather, it may be an over-oiled air filter.
Got over my phobia of spanners & got stuck in,well,stuck in for me.Took the air box off to have a look.There was oil on the butterflies( I think that's what they are,and is all.that the throttle pots?) & a film of oil on the trumpets.The air filter is pretty dry.
Lack of light stopped play for today.Still think there is too much in there as warm reading takes it over max.Wether that is adding to the smoke is above my knowledge.Still made me smile today in the sun disappearing like a ninja in a puff of smoke!
Lack of light stopped play for today.Still think there is too much in there as warm reading takes it over max.Wether that is adding to the smoke is above my knowledge.Still made me smile today in the sun disappearing like a ninja in a puff of smoke!
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