Checking oil levels - Best way?

Checking oil levels - Best way?

Author
Discussion

Snakes

Original Poster:

614 posts

259 months

Monday 12th January 2004
quotequote all
This being my first dry sump car, I could do with some advice about when to check oil levels. I have been told to do it after a run when the engine is hot but logic tells me that if the oil level drops as the engine cools how do you know when the "right time" is?

Snakes

Mrs Fish

30,018 posts

264 months

Monday 12th January 2004
quotequote all
James here:

The speed six is a bit picky when you can check the oil.

It must be done when the engine is upto normal temp including the oil. Allow the engine to idle for a while thus the levels can settle. Stop the engine and measure the level then. Do not let it stand for long or the oil drains back from the reservoir into the 'dry' sump and will give you an incorrect reading.

If you get an unexpected reading, start the engine and let it idle for a while and check it again to ensure it is correct.

In the T350c to put more oil in from a gallon container I keep an old beer bottle in the back, fill with oil then you can easily invert into the reservoir depositing 275ml of oil into the reservoir.

BEWARE THE ENGINE IS V. HOT AND YOU MUST USE THE SUPPLIED GLOVES IN THE TOOL BOX OR GARDEN GLOVES ETC.

Have fun, expect to use 0.5-1.0l per 1000miles although 1.5l is not unknown but slightly excessive.

Snakes

Original Poster:

614 posts

259 months

Monday 12th January 2004
quotequote all
Thanks James - that's really useful. It does, however, lead onto another question - where's the flippin' toolbox?!!! I'm the sort of bloke who reads handbooks through before trying to make things work and I don't recall one being mentioned and have not stumbled across one either. Any clues?

Upto now, I have used the garden gloves method but suddenly I'm feeling very stupid!

Snakes

>> Edited by Snakes on Monday 12th January 22:08

nigel lewis

1,585 posts

271 months

Tuesday 13th January 2004
quotequote all
TVR have stopped putting a tool kit in now. I had one in my Tamora, but there wasnt one in the T350 (Nov02), was told that they are no longer supplying them.
Would have kept the one from the Tamora if I had known.
I use garden gloves, and make sure that you have a long sleeve shirt or Jumper on. catching your arm on the corner of the engine when hot dosent bear thinking about.
The dealers told me to check when hot, and after switching the engine off, leave for about half a minute, then take a reading.
Seems to give a consistant reading each time.

Fish

3,992 posts

288 months

Tuesday 13th January 2004
quotequote all
I've not heard they've stopped, maybe you need to ask a bit more positively or maybe they are an optional extra now.???

GI Jnr

1,903 posts

267 months

Tuesday 13th January 2004
quotequote all
Fish said:
I've not heard they've stopped, maybe you need to ask a bit more positively or maybe they are an optional extra now.???


We've got one and ours is an April 03...

Call them again, cos they're nice little toolboxes!

Tuan

neil.b

6,546 posts

253 months

Tuesday 13th January 2004
quotequote all
I was told "They don't come with tool boxes"...

I insisted they should and dealer was kind enough to nick one out of a Tuscan for me. Cute little kits

Bizarre policy though - can't imagine a mainstream marque could get away with it

sidpinup

998 posts

261 months

Tuesday 13th January 2004
quotequote all
I got a tool kit with mine and its a new 2003(facelift) Tamora. I also got a nice set of jump leads with it. Never used the jump leads but have used the toolkit a few times to bolt bits on that have dropped off.

Ed

rebelstar

1,146 posts

250 months

Tuesday 18th May 2004
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nigel lewis said:

catching your arm on the corner of the engine when hot dosent bear thinking about.


... which is exactly what happened to me the other day. Ow!

mjc

434 posts

247 months

Tuesday 18th May 2004
quotequote all
neil.b said:
I was told "They don't come with tool boxes"...

I insisted they should and dealer was kind enough to nick one out of a Tuscan for me. Cute little kits

Bizarre policy though - can't imagine a mainstream marque could get away with it


I was told they dont come with one too..... and there was no chance of getting hold of one..!

trefor

14,656 posts

289 months

Tuesday 18th May 2004
quotequote all
What's in the toolkits?

I have lots of tools, but is there a special widget for some weird bolt in these toolkits?

Thanks.

Mr Freefall

2,323 posts

264 months

Tuesday 18th May 2004
quotequote all
trefor said:
What's in the toolkits?

I have lots of tools, but is there a special widget for some weird bolt in these toolkits?

Thanks.


An AA/RAC membership card...

chris watton

22,478 posts

266 months

Tuesday 18th May 2004
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I too have the toolkit,, but am at a loss to know what the hell that tool that looks like a tong is for, the longish tool with the forked ends!!
Checking the oil whilst the engine's still very hot is a bloody nightmare!!! have to put almost your whole body over the engine to get to the darn dipstick!! kentucky fried Chris is the result lol