S6 newbie question. help please.

[macdeb]

Without sounding like a numpty, can someone explain how to correctly check the oil level. Have tried several different ways with as many results. [04 T350]

[millyad]

i was told to let the engine run to get oil up to 60+ degree's or so and check the oil level the second you shut the engine off (tuscan s6)
opinions may differ! do a forum search to really confuse yourself!

[maddog-uk]

Well this is what I do:

Go out for a nice long drive. Come home when the car is very hot and do the following. Open bonnet with engine running get two towels ready. Switch off engine. Lean on engine block with first towel and use second towel to unscrew oil cap and wipe clean. Replace cap. Start engine again for a couple of minutes, repeat procedure. Therefore you have your engine oil and a cooked upper half. In the summer have plenty of water hand for revival.

regards

Simon

[AlexRWD]

maddog-uk said:

Well this is what I do: Go out for a nice long drive. Come home when the car is very hot and do the following. Open bonnet with engine running get two towels ready. Switch off engine. Lean on engine block with first towel and use second towel to unscrew oil cap and wipe clean. Replace cap. Start engine again for a couple of minutes, repeat procedure.

Wow! That sounds like a major job, but probably more accurate than what I do.

After a drive I just pop the bonnet asap after stopping the car, have a garden glove handy for taking off the cap, wipe, screw back in, unscrew again, and hopefully will see signs of oil!

[maddog-uk]

Actually my dealer taught me this method as part of the handover. It certainly appears to work. But to be honest on our car we have had very little oil consumption to date.

[vyt]

maddog-uk said:

Well this is what I do: Open bonnet with engine running get two towels ready. Switch off engine. Lean on engine block with first towel and use second towel to unscrew oil cap and wipe clean. Replace cap. Start engine again for a couple of minutes, repeat procedure. regards Simon

Hmm,

I do the following, 03 T350

Warm the engine as you say,
Park the car on level ground,
Lift the bonnet with the engine running,
Switch the engine off,
Remove the dip stick,
Wipe,
Replace dip stick fully,
Remove the dip stick again immediately.
Read oil level
Add oil if required.
Replace the dip stick.

Never had a problem getting a consistent reading

Cheers

Bob

[sc077y]

Was shown very similar from my dealer too. Run the car until the fans kick in. Switch it off. Wipe the dipstick but just rest it back on top without screwing it back on. Not much different really. 04 Tamora.

[madbadger]

Similar again.

Wait for hot engine. Put on big thick garden glove, Uncrew filler cap, wipe dipstick, replace cap then remove and check oil.

If it does need any oil I use the Mr Fish trick of filling a 25cl beer bottle with oil and decanting it to the tank. Makes sure the oil stays off the floor and I don't get cooked.

[maddog-uk]

madbadger said:

Similar again. If it does need any oil I use the Mr Fish trick of filling a 25cl beer bottle with oil and decanting it to the tank. Makes sure the oil stays off the floor and I don't get cooked.

Good idea, mental note to get GF to consume more beer so I can have bottles, as alas I am not allowed the stuff

[madbadger]

I think non beer bottles will probably work

Unless you want the girlfriend to drink more beer.....

[K.K.]

millyad said:

i was told to let the engine run to get oil up to 60+ degree's or so and check the oil level the second you shut the engine off...

DITTO (and I have the burns to prove it!!!). Keep a gardening glove in your boot. Don't check the oil in short sleeves! OUCH!!!

[macdeb]

Cheers guys.

[nickfb1]

Yep do all of the above, must admit that i,ve never added a drop of oil in 7k. However the oil level is always 1 - 2cm above the max mark, came back from the factory like this after 6k service

[targarama]

Yeah, mine fell to halfway between max/min at around 5,000 miles and I topped it up even though it prolly didn't need it before the 6k service.

Seems to use a smidge if you really drive the car hard using mega revs - you can tell by the soot around the tailpipes how hard you've been revving

[fairclp]

targarama said:

Yeah, mine fell to halfway between max/min at around 5,000 miles and I topped it up even though it prolly didn't need it before the 6k service. Seems to use a smidge if you really drive the car hard using mega revs - you can tell by the soot around the tailpipes how hard you've been revving

OMG

Mines black as the ace of spades.

[sc077y]

Ditto.. again fairclp. Black as something...black...in a really dark place. Here's a theory for you. The EFI fault is the car running too rich or something and its the unburnt fuel thats blackening the pipes. It's a 54l tank right and I fill up when I get down to 10l. So on 44l of juice how come I only get 200 miles before filling up again. I think that's about 20 mpg. I used to get 25 from the 4l Tuscan!

[fairclp]

sc077y said:

Ditto.. again fairclp. Black as something...black...in a really dark place. Here's a theory for you. The EFI fault is the car running too rich or something and its the unburnt fuel thats blackening the pipes. It's a 54l tank right and I fill up when I get down to 10l. So on 44l of juice how come I only get 200 miles before filling up again. I think that's about 20 mpg. I used to get 25 from the 4l Tuscan!

I think my EFI is about to bite me back.

I've had 3 startups in the last 2 days where it misfired during turn over...(sounded good though).

I'm off to the dealers in the morning for some advice.

[targarama]

fairclp said:

sc077y said: Ditto.. again fairclp. Black as something...black...in a really dark place. Here's a theory for you. The EFI fault is the car running too rich or something and its the unburnt fuel thats blackening the pipes. It's a 54l tank right and I fill up when I get down to 10l. So on 44l of juice how come I only get 200 miles before filling up again. I think that's about 20 mpg. I used to get 25 from the 4l Tuscan! I think my EFI is about to bite me back. I've had 3 startups in the last 2 days where it misfired during turn over...(sounded good though). I'm off to the dealers in the morning for some advice.

HT leads, damp/moisture down the plug cavities? Tuscans seem to get through HT leads (judging by the number of times I've seen it mentioned) - can't see why one of ours would be any different.

[chris watton]

Knowing what I now know about my S6 engine and it's 'traits', I have the plugs and leads chaged every 6000 miles (every service), and the throttle pots changed at every 12K service, so , assuming I haven't got dodgy finger followers ect, this ensures the engine is in tip top running condition. I could spend a whole heap more on the Tam (would love the 4ltr upgrade!!), but have to remind myself it's only a var, and we do have to eat and pay bills and stuff!!! lol