More oil level confusion....
More oil level confusion....
Author
Discussion

ballcock

Original Poster:

3,855 posts

249 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
After filling my car with petrol today , I re-started the engine to see that the oil gauge was reading at the lowest level. This was a shock to the system as I've never needed to top up oil between services before.

So I gingerly drove the car home (to the oil supply) , and when I checked the oil gauge outside the house , it was now showing full .. I dipped it to be certain .. Yep showing full.

The car had been running for at least an hour prior to stopping for fuel so the engine was plenty warm.

confused WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON!! confused

BliarOut

72,863 posts

269 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
Forecourt was probably at an angle...

ballcock

Original Poster:

3,855 posts

249 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
BliarOut said:
Forecourt was probably at an angle...


My first thought too , but when I was leaving I checked by putting the car in neural , brake off ... No rolly rolly.
To have that sort of affect on the gauge , there would have to be at least a perceptable slope...

BliarOut

72,863 posts

269 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
It's *supposed* to zero when you refill the car... Probably just got it's knickers in a twist.

ballcock

Original Poster:

3,855 posts

249 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
BliarOut said:
It's *supposed* to zero when you refill the car... Probably just got it's knickers in a twist.



I was waiting for you to say 'Is your driveway at an angle' hehe

That would have got my knickers in a twist!!

BliarOut

72,863 posts

269 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
Is your driveway at an angle?

HTH

:-|

ballcock

Original Poster:

3,855 posts

249 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
I'll check after I rearrange my undercrackers....



furious




shoot

jeremyc

28,251 posts

314 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
Have you RTFM?

What does it say about the procedure for checking the oil?

BliarOut

72,863 posts

269 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
jeremyc said:
Have you RTFM?

What does it say about the procedure for checking the oil?

I believe it says "Always consult PH at the earliest opportunity" hehe

ballcock

Original Poster:

3,855 posts

249 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
jeremyc said:
Have you RTFM?

What does it say about the procedure for checking the oil?


It's procedure (from memory) is , engine off , oil at operating temp , car level. And it suggests checking each time you fill with fuel , as the dash gauge is displayed for longer so you can fill and monitor the gauge at the same time .

How am I doing so far!!

So , if as it suggested , I reacted immediately on the forecourt and put a litre of oil in , I'd now be starting a topic entitled 'Can overfilling an engine with oil cause problems.'

BliarOut

72,863 posts

269 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
ballcock said:
'Can overfilling an engine with oil cause problems.'

Yes,

HTH

Dunit

645 posts

235 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
I allways check my oil with the dipstick unlike the gauge which can give false readings what with the time out count down.
Some times one of the two scavenge pumps is a bit lazy on returning the oil from its bank ,they clear when you start driving. If you go by the dipstick you cant go wrong. I bet lots of cars are overfilled because owners are going by the gauge.

Wetwipe

3,019 posts

243 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
ballcock said:
BliarOut said:
Forecourt was probably at an angle...


My first thought too , but when I was leaving I checked by putting the car in neural , brake off ... No rolly rolly.
To have that sort of affect on the gauge , there would have to be at least a perceptable slope...


do you not get that in ireland? i thought good catholic girls gave as standard?

car.chic

5,995 posts

245 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
Your engine needs to be running to get an accurate measurement, not cold, you shouldn't check the oil when the engine isn't running and do not trust the gauge. Thats what i've been told for mine anyway.

ballcock

Original Poster:

3,855 posts

249 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
Wetwipe said:
ballcock said:
BliarOut said:
Forecourt was probably at an angle...


My first thought too , but when I was leaving I checked by putting the car in neural , brake off ... No rolly rolly.
To have that sort of affect on the gauge , there would have to be at least a perceptable slope...


do you not get that in ireland? i thought good catholic girls gave as standard?


You're going to have to get over to Dublin soon for a night on the town ... That'll cure you of your 'good catholic girls' fetishist attitude!!

How's the lunar module?!

Wetwipe

3,019 posts

243 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
ballcock said:
Wetwipe said:
ballcock said:
BliarOut said:
Forecourt was probably at an angle...


My first thought too , but when I was leaving I checked by putting the car in neural , brake off ... No rolly rolly.
To have that sort of affect on the gauge , there would have to be at least a perceptable slope...


do you not get that in ireland? i thought good catholic girls gave as standard?


You're going to have to get over to Dublin soon for a night on the town ... That'll cure you of your 'good catholic girls' fetishist attitude!!

How's the lunar module?!


intergalactic

neil armstrong thought it was quick

seriously though, it is truly amazing. the weather has been inclement to say the least and the cars handing is epic in the wet. in fact im beginning to wonder if it handles any worse in the wet than dry

you NEED to get over here soonest so you can get out for a run in it


ballcock

Original Poster:

3,855 posts

249 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
car.chic said:
Your engine needs to be running to get an accurate measurement, not cold, you shouldn't check the oil when the engine isn't running and do not trust the gauge. Thats what i've been told for mine anyway.

Thanks Nicola .. That's an air cooled idiosyncrasy!!

All the basic wet sump 996's are checked with the engine off.




car.chic

5,995 posts

245 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
ballcock said:
car.chic said:
Your engine needs to be running to get an accurate measurement, not cold, you shouldn't check the oil when the engine isn't running and do not trust the gauge. Thats what i've been told for mine anyway.

Thanks Nicola .. That's an air cooled idiosyncrasy!!

All the basic wet sump 996's are checked with the engine off.






I should have checked on your profile what car it is that you've got before i replied shouldn't i?!

ballcock

Original Poster:

3,855 posts

249 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
car.chic said:
ballcock said:
car.chic said:
Your engine needs to be running to get an accurate measurement, not cold, you shouldn't check the oil when the engine isn't running and do not trust the gauge. Thats what i've been told for mine anyway.

Thanks Nicola .. That's an air cooled idiosyncrasy!!

All the basic wet sump 996's are checked with the engine off.






I should have checked on your profile what car it is that you've got before i replied shouldn't i?!


I've gone down in your estimation haven't I!!

car.chic

5,995 posts

245 months

Monday 14th May 2007
quotequote all
ballcock said:
car.chic said:
ballcock said:
car.chic said:
Your engine needs to be running to get an accurate measurement, not cold, you shouldn't check the oil when the engine isn't running and do not trust the gauge. Thats what i've been told for mine anyway.

Thanks Nicola .. That's an air cooled idiosyncrasy!!

All the basic wet sump 996's are checked with the engine off.






I should have checked on your profile what car it is that you've got before i replied shouldn't i?!


I've gone down in your estimation haven't I!!


No, well so long as it's not a tiptronic and doesn't have no silly computers or traction control, you don't need them!!!! hehe



Edited by car.chic on Monday 14th May 23:31