Fettling Today

[splitpin]

Couple of things >

My oil catch tank is empty (dry sump obviously); I've heard it's best to have about 50mm of oil in there; how does it get in there? > the pipe that goes to it comes from an outlet on top of the crankcase > got it up to the right level in the main oil tank when fully hot, stopped it and added about half a litre then re-ran it ........... hasn't found its way in to the catch tank yet. Explain?

Also noticed that mine has Jenvey throttle bodies with a central throttle cable; is that standard on a Powertec 1300 Busa?

[jpivey]

Maybe i'm being dim but why would you need any oil in the catch tank!!!
My throttle cable is in the middle of the throttle bodies.

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jpivey said:

Maybe i'm being dim but why would you need any oil in the catch tank!!!
My throttle cable is in the middle of the throttle bodies.

Not at all, likewise, scratching my head too!; that's what I was told by a racer @ Dony and like you, I was wondering why ............ OK, let's name names, it was Double D Dave, so perhaps he can respond? I was seeing it as potentially a useful way of making sure that the oil was at the right level when upto temperature; the Owner's Handbook says to check the level when the engine is warm and running - I've got the proper SR4 Radical dipstick and I find that 'mission impossible'; time you've wangled it back out from the oil splashing about in the tank, it's impossible to take a reading off the dipstick marks ...... it's splashed everywhere on the dipstick.

I'm also intrigued that now having a bit too much oil in at the moment, the catch tank remains bone dry - perhaps it only makes it's way there when the car's underway i.e. the gears are turning?

[jpivey]

If you have over filled the dry sump tank next time on track be prepared for a lot of mess and a red flag as it will fill the catch tank and then some, been there done that on my clubsport.
Thinking about it more no reason what so ever to have oil in catch tank.
It fills me with dread if after a race its half full of oil big bill coming for a rebuild, pleased to say not a drop in the tank on my Pro6 after 10 races.

[RobC]

Like JP I can't think of any reason for having oil in a catch tank? that just reduces the capacity which is already on the limit.

[dsl2]

All you need to do is run the car up until the oil temp is around 60C or more whilst its stationary in the garage (assuming your rad has a fan to keep the water temp sensible) then peer down into the oil tank neck & look to get the oil level just lapping at the bottom of the alloy tube (approx 75mm down from memory)

Runnig at that level, I have accumulated a couple of mm out of the breather from the drysump tank into my oil catch tank cumulatively all year, including Rockingham which is the most critical circuit for oil surge (apparently).

No reason to have any oil in the catch tank, its always got positive pressure breathing out into the catch tank so no danger of inhaling dirt/grit via the pipe.

[splitpin]

Thanks Darren: Good practical guidance much appreciated.

I can add a 'health warning' to this > when the engine oil is upto to temp and running with the oil tank cap off, if oil needs to be added, DO NOT stop the engine, add oil and RESTART WITH THE CAP OFF !!!!! ; on start up, the level in the oil tank surges right up and if the cap's off, there'll be a Niagara Falls Event in oil. So ......... NEVER START THE ENGINE WITH THE OIL TANK CAP OFF !

How do I know? Yep, you've guessed it! Wasn't this weekend (had it been, I guess I'd have titled this thread "Frantically Mopping Up Today"); it was in the paddock at Dony ............. thank heavens for the oil catchability merits of the undertray, else there'd have been hell to pay!

[double d racing]

Culprit here.....oil in catch tank.....
I was advised by Uncle Ted at Powertec that a small amount of oil should show ( and I mean only a little )in the catch tank sight thingy to prove that there was adequate engine oil in when HOT !. It was meant to be a belt and braces job.
As for checking oil levels the one thing I fell foul off was being inconsistent. So the method was similar to Darrens - get it up to temperature, do not have to tank lid off !, rev a few times and switch off. Then check the level with dipstick ( no I don't mean me ! )
The PR6 is a piece of poss compared to SR4....
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm seemed to come back from Donny with much less kitchen towels than I went with ( tee hee...splitpin )

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And let's just be absolutely clear on this, Dave's kind donation of a large quantity of kitchen towel was solely down to soaking up generous quantities of Silkolene's finest ..........

............ nothing deviant - related !!!!!!!!!!!!!