Measuring Oil Level.. Is there a better way?

[AndyT350]

Hi All,

I've seen a few threads on here about methods for checking oil level and however quickly I check it (even using a friend to switch the engine off) I get hugely varying readings as I hear the Oil gurgle out of the tank...

Now i'm not the most technical person (so please be nice!) but after a quick google could somthing like this work? http://www.vegacontrols.co.uk/vegaswing_vibration_...

Two of these sensors with a simple circuit to show low/high oil level and I guess a button to test as soon as the engines turned off.

Or does anyone else have any different solutions...

Andy

[blueg33]

Other people talk of the gurgling, I dont get that, and get constant readings by losening the oil cap, turning off and running round to the front and taking the vreading there and then.

[DAVEY DEE]

My Cerb is the same Andy.Drives me mad.I'd swear blind there isn't any oil in mine,except for all the blue smoke coming out of the exhaust tells me there's some...somewhere.(somewhere it shouldn't be!)

Results vary so much I'm now trying the " as long as it shows min when stone cold it should be ok" method.It can't be any more hit & miss than the official method.

[RedSpike66]

Could someone invent an x-ray device the registers oil levels as the ignition is switched off please.....

[nelly1]

Two things:-

• The difference between cold level and 'turn-off-red-hot-run-round-and-burn-your-fingers' level is about 1/2" to 3/4" on the dipstick.

• It's a dry sump, so slightly over-filling matters not one jot.

So, as long as there's oil on the 'stick at a reasonable level when cold, you'll be fine.

[Getsis]

You could fit a window to the tank like on motorbikes so that when it's cold the level is mid way to 3/4 on the window. this would also make filling less of a guess

http://www.splatshop.co.uk/sherco-3-2-oil-level-wi...

Edited by Getsis on Wednesday 26th October 08:55

[Zippee]

blueg33 said:

Other people talk of the gurgling, I dont get that, and get constant readings by losening the oil cap, turning off and running round to the front and taking the vreading there and then.

Same here.

[DonkeyApple]

nelly1 said:

Two things:-

• The difference between cold level and 'turn-off-red-hot-run-round-and-burn-your-fingers' level is about 1/2" to 3/4" on the dipstick.

• It's a dry sump, so slightly over-filling matters not one jot.

So, as long as there's oil on the 'stick at a reasonable level when cold, you'll be fine.

I have to say that I prefer checking oil levels before a journey and so some time ago I went through a period of checking levels when hot and when stone cold and now just check when cold and look for a level nicely in the middle of the stick range.

[macdeb]

When I had my T350 I asked at the factory what is the best method and they said, 'check whilst engine is running'.
Mind you, take that with a pinch of salt because they [the factory] overfilled it to the brim and I was blowing a blue smoke screen going home in the slightest of left handers. Should be easier eh?

[nawarne]

D'you know, I'm glad that this has been raised.

I too seem to get varying readings - never get the gurgle though, and I seem to get high'ish levels regardless of engine temp.
However, I've done 4K miles since the last 12K service, and I've put in just 1 litre of oil...so I guess she's still fairly healthy.

Nick

[AndyT350]

Getsis said:

You could fit a window to the tank like on motorbikes so that when it's cold the level is mid way to 3/4 on the window. this would also make filling less of a guess

http://www.splatshop.co.uk/sherco-3-2-oil-level-wi...

Edited by Getsis on Wednesday 26th October 08:55

I'm glad its not just me! - This above looks pretty cool... but i could imagine an unfortunate face-burning incident trying to check it!

As for the cold check solution i've seen it mentioned that the level can vary depending on the position the pump stops in so not that accurate?

[stimshady]

i try and check it a couple of times within 30 seconds of shutting the engine off, i don't screw the cap back on and then just add about 1/2" or a just over a centimeter (depending on what you work in).

Usually i like to see oil just under the 'min' line with the cap not screwed down, then you know you're in the safe zone when it is screwed on.

1) Leave car running
2) unscrew cap and leave it loose
3) make sure both rads kick in
4) shut car off
5) calmly walk around to other side (i have 30 seconds!)
6) remove pre-loosened stick and wipe oil off
7) check oil and repeat
8) add oil if needed
9) done.

[Martin B Tam]

As a relative newbie to Tivs and I have been as guilty as many in running around the car religiously checking the oil, why is this one element so important ?

My last car was dry sumped with a custom made tank, there was no such thing as a definitive oil level, I always checked it with the engine running and ensured it was around the level of the top baffle plate which was set in a similar position to the Tiv but it could be a couple of inches higher or lower, far more than the relative difference in the min and max marks on the dipstick. The capacity and shape of the tank and position of the pick up is such that the pump will never drain the tank before it is replenished so why the paranoia ?

I will carry on checking just in case though !!

[nelly1]

AndyT350 said:

As for the cold check solution i've seen it mentioned that the level can vary depending on the position the pump stops in so not that accurate?

Well, I've had my Tuscan for over six years, and have never noticed any appreciable variability using the 'cold' method.

As long as the oil is between the marks then happy days

[zx10ben]

Well....I'm still non the wiser having read this!

When I collected my car it was dipped cold and I was told as long as its on Min it's fine.
I dipped it yesterday after a nice long drive out, hot engine and dipstick bone dry!
Dipped it this morning cold and bone dry!
I've only done about 400 miles since collecting it, is it normal to use that much oil for that mileage?
I've rung Dom at Power and he has directed me to the waiting for the fan method, meantime I'll chuck a ltr or so in and re-dip.

It just made my heart jump into my throat when the dipstick came out dry last night! I guess the Tuscan will need a bit more 1st and last parading than my previous Jag! Lesson learnt!

[blueg33]

zx10ben said:

Well....I'm still non the wiser having read this!

When I collected my car it was dipped cold and I was told as long as its on Min it's fine.
I dipped it yesterday after a nice long drive out, hot engine and dipstick bone dry!
Dipped it this morning cold and bone dry!
I've only done about 400 miles since collecting it, is it normal to use that much oil for that mileage?
I've rung Dom at Power and he has directed me to the waiting for the fan method, meantime I'll chuck a ltr or so in and re-dip.

It just made my heart jump into my throat when the dipstick came out dry last night! I guess the Tuscan will need a bit more 1st and last parading than my previous Jag! Lesson learnt!

Eek - mine has never been dry. It certainly doesn't use that much oil. It has had half a litre in 4000 miles

[DAVEY DEE]

He he.. mine is single handedly keeping Man City at the top of the premier league.- I should have a standing order to opie oils! Tbf mine does have engine issues & is burning a lot .Once again it seems another area where sp6 to sp6 vary wildly.I keep a 1l bottle in the boot for if the oil pressure drops below 10 OSI when I'm out & a 5l one in the garage at home.I've got more more chance of winning the lottery than getting my oil levels right!.

[Arapo]

Can I ask a stupid question: When you say that you check it from cold, you mean cold as in you have not started the engine at all, right?

When I first got the car and had no idea about the dry sump (not very clued up, obviously..), I almost got a heart attack when I went to check the oil from cold, and had not a drop on the dip stick.. But when the engine was warmed up, I could get a proper reading, which showed the level almost to the max.

So, I am under the impression that there is no point checking the level from cold, and that no oil should be found on the dipstick. Can somebody tell me if this is correct?

[DAVEY DEE]

Theoretically Arapo,yes you're right.As long as you're able to read ok by the proper method ,then carry on.It's just that a few of us seem to find it so hit & miss this way as the oil drains so quickly.People,more clued up than me,say that as the diff between min & max is,for arguements sake 1L,as long as it shows min when cold,you should be fine.

[Jasper Gilder]

I got sick of switching the engine off and hearing that slorping moise as the oils ran back into the engine tray. So I have taken to checking the oil with a warm engine on tickover. Level is indicative of where it is when it's running (which is what you want to know) and although it's bloody hot on th efinger it seems to work. Well anyway -it's done me OK for 96K miles