no oil on dipstick while engine is hot

[ZCoupe]

i have been told that there is actually a flow of oil from the sump into the engine, and from the engine back into the sump, while engine is running.

now, i have been checking that and actually my tuscan does not get the oil flow back into the sump.
i checked this quickly while engine was still cold.

question now is, does this mean that the flow back pump is broke or is this something that i should check when the engine is above 60/65 degree?

please keep in mind that i filled about 1.25L and still NO oil on the dip stick but engine running normal (for me)...

thank you

[sidpinup]

The oil should be checked with the engine at running temp and when the engine has just been switched off. The oil can drain either way when standing depending upon the angle of the car. I would say its unusual to have no oil on the dipstick when the engine is running though.

[ZCoupe]

sidpinup said:

The oil should be checked with the engine at running temp and when the engine has just been switched off. The oil can drain either way when standing depending upon the angle of the car. I would say its unusual to have no oil on the dipstick when the engine is running though.

i have done that, and filled about 1.25L and still no oil on the dipstick...
and that is why i really stared to wonder... over filling is very bad as well.
so that is why i am now wondering why the oil is not flowing back into the tank...

because, i filled for about 1.25l and the engine is and was running ok...
i can imagine that when you would have to put close to 2L, the engine would probably have not been running ok, but mine is running ok...

so, can there be another problem...

Edited by ZCoupe on Wednesday 15th August 13:38

[sidpinup]

I don't think you have to worry too much about over filling as it will vent the excess through the air box. Better too much than not enough I would say. What pressure are you getting? If thats normal I would top up bit by bit until you get a reading on the dipstick. If you are loosing pressure and oil you need to get it checked.

[ZCoupe]

sidpinup said:

I don't think you have to worry too much about over filling as it will vent the excess through the air box. Better too much than not enough I would say. What pressure are you getting? If thats normal I would top up bit by bit until you get a reading on the dipstick. If you are loosing pressure and oil you need to get it checked.

so i did.... in total i filled about 2.5L and now between min and max...
what a surprise.

to be honest, i am not really happy, i do get the impression that last time she went for service, oil has not been checked.

2.5L i still cant believe it, very good engines they made at TVR.

She was running fine and is running fine with the 2.5L extra oil.

[sidpinup]

Or they just stuck 5ltrs in rather than the 7 they need.

[ZCoupe]

sidpinup said:

Or they just stuck 5ltrs in rather than the 7 they need.

but in case no new oil at all, this could mean that i have now 10W60 and 10W40
because i think that in the UK they often use 10W40 and here 10W60

[GTrr]

ZCoupe said:

but in case no new oil at all, this could mean that i have now 10W60 and 10W40
because i think that in the UK they often use 10W40 and here 10W60

Wouldn't worry about that, won't hurt. Of course better to put all new oil in.
Keep it at max, even a little over, when hot (just leave engine running while you check it). Or when cold: should alway be a little bit on the dip stick. But always check when hot to be sure.

[TVR_owner]

It is possible to get a cold/engine off reading on the dip stick. Much better to check cold as well - certainly gives me piece of mind.

Need to get a reading close to max when hot before it registers cold.

[Basil Brush]

How long since oil was last checked? Some engines do use a fair bit.

[ZCoupe]

last time it should have been checked and i thought they would have done that, was about 9 months ago.

but now i noticed that the oil level is the same when the engine is hot, as when it is cold...
the head gasket is kind of wet...
and i think i have seen some very light smoke.

so, all in all, running fine but surely not fine at all

Back to the TVR garage

[ZCoupe]

last time it should have been checked and i thought they would have done that, was about 9 months ago.

but now i noticed that the oil level is the same when the engine is hot, as when it is cold...
the head gasket is kind of wet...
and i think i have seen some very light smoke, coming from under the bonnet.

so, all in all, running fine but surely not fine at all

Back to the TVR garage

Edited by ZCoupe on Sunday 19th August 13:58

[330p4]

How much mileage since last service can easily use 1 litre/1000 miles. Suggest you do a compression test or leak down test this will tell you how good the rings/bore are
Ian

[RPE11Y]

I normally do a check when hot just after shut down, as recommended.
Why then when I checked it stone cold today did I get a 'normal' level showing on the stick??

[mrmr96]

RPE11Y said:

I normally do a check when hot just after shut down, as recommended.
Why then when I checked it stone cold today did I get a 'normal' level showing on the stick??

What's the difference between checking soon after a shut down, and checking the following day when it's stone cold? None IMO.

[Tuscanuwe]

At some cars same level when cold, at some cars oil flows back in oil pan
and reading is low and incorrect

Only measure when engine has at least 75 degrees oil temp!

Uwe

[shep1001]

mrmr96 said:

What's the difference between checking soon after a shut down, and checking the following day when it's stone cold? None IMO.

S6 is a dry sumped engine. You have about 30 secs from switching off before the oil level starts to drain away and you will get a false level on the dip-stick

[GTrr]

shep1001 said:

S6 is a dry sumped engine. You have about 30 secs from switching off before the oil level starts to drain away and you will get a false level on the dip-stick

Just leave it running while you check it. This is the way the Ferrari boys do it.

[mrmr96]

shep1001 said:

mrmr96 said:

What's the difference between checking soon after a shut down, and checking the following day when it's stone cold? None IMO.

S6 is a dry sumped engine. You have about 30 secs from switching off before the oil level starts to drain away and you will get a false level on the dip-stick

Oh ok, that makes sense then. Thanks.

[Buzz Billsberry]

So to going back to Sidpinups 2nd post at the begining what oil pressure are you getting at tick over & above 2300 rpm?

I've got to say the oil used on my Tamora is minimal and rarely move from the half way between the dipstick markings and OP is usually around 60psi (4bar) over 2300rpm

I've been pleasently suprised with the engine since I've had the car (14months)and has put all the worries of the S6 behind me and it does get some stick its a cracking little engine

Buzz