1972 turbulent oil in tank

[oscar94]

New to me 72E. When I try to check the oil, at operating temp, level ground, while idling, the oil in the tank is turbulent and splashing around and essentially coats the entire dipstick making a reading impossible. I just changed the oil and know that it has about 6 liters in it so it isn’t over filled.

Any thoughts on why it’s like a raging ocean in there?

Thank you!

[kent olsen]

You should turn the engine off. You just need the oil hot so it is cycling thru the engine, cooler and tank. Enjoy your car. I've had my, not stock anymore, 72T for 22 years.

[oscar94]

Originally Posted by kent olsen

You should turn the engine off. You just need the oil hot so it is cycling thru the engine, cooler and tank. Enjoy your car. I've had my, not stock anymore, 72T for 22 years.

Thank you!!! It’s been a fun ride so far. I will start checking it immediately after turning the car off.

[Reiver]

The oil in that tank should not be turbulent....unless you have serious blow by/rings issue....what do your plugs look like? How much oil do you burn?

[oscar94]

Originally Posted by Reiver

The oil in that tank should not be turbulent....unless you have serious blow by/rings issue....what do your plugs look like? How much oil do you burn?

I have only had the car for two weeks so I am not sure about consumption. I just replaced the plugs and they didn’t look too bad. They were sooty but not caked in oil.

Thank you.

[Trackrash]

The oil will be circulating in the tank with the motor running, but not splashing around. The book says to wait approx 1/2 minute idling before checking.

The '72 has a unique tank, but should not make a difference.

Question. What is the gauge on the dash reading?

[faapgar]

The oil does move around.I have a 72.Best to just shut off the car and go check the level.Takes the guess work out.Fred

[oscar94]

Originally Posted by Trackrash

The oil will be circulating in the tank with the motor running, but not splashing around. The book says to wait approx 1/2 minute idling before checking.

The '72 has a unique tank, but should not make a difference.

Question. What is the gauge on the dash reading?

Originally Posted by faapgar

The oil does move around.I have a 72.Best to just shut off the car and go check the level.Takes the guess work out.Fred

Thanks guys,

the gauge does bounce a bit like most seem to, but for the most part it reads pretty close. i plan on replacing the sending unit, when I muster up the nerve to remove the oil tank. I'm sure it has never been serviced.

I will start checking immediately after shut down and monitor the consumption.

thanks again.

[r lane]

I have had my 72 for 38 years, and it is a gurgling mess down in there. It is the only tank that you can stare down into its bowels, the others have a snout and that shrouds the thrashing. I get a reading on the stick, and I don't know how accurate it is, but I extrapolate with a couple of readings, based on known amount of oil in the system and have come up with over the years a position on the stick that I trust, but I do get a reading.

[oscar94]

Originally Posted by r lane

I have had my 72 for 38 years, and it is a gurgling mess down in there. It is the only tank that you can stare down into its bowels, the others have a snout and that shrouds the thrashing. I get a reading on the stick, and I don't know how accurate it is, but I extrapolate with a couple of readings, based on known amount of oil in the system and have come up with over the years a position on the stick that I trust, but I do get a reading.

Hahahaha!!!! That is a great description!!! I had an 89 a long time ago and this thing is very different.

Thank you for your response.

[kent olsen]

That's right the 72 is UNIQUE !! I've had mine for 22 years.

[Bill Verburg]

Here's a stock '72 oil system, the oil enters the tank after passing through the filter and filter console and pressure/temperature regulation valve. The only reason that I can think of for undue turbulence is a missing p/t valve or missing internal baffles. It's been a long time but I seem to recall that when I had the tank from my '72 out there were some baffles around the inlet or maybe just a pipe that dropped down closer to the idle oil level mark, wish I had some pics


The system is dynamic, constantly pulling oil for the engine from the bottom and replacing it up top w/ oil from the cooler p/t valve, I don't see how an accurate reading can be obtained w/o the engine idling at temp on a level surface.

[Arne2]

Owner's manual for my '72 is clear - the engine MUST be idling for an oil level check. I don't recall mine being any problem getting a clear reading on the dipstick. I think I'm going to take the car out for a little drive today or tomorrow, will check the oil when I get it back home and watch for undue splashing.

[coldstart]

You can see the oil constantly flowing in my 1972 oil tank.

I still get an accurate reading with the engine running. After 15 years I can tell by looking into the tank if there is the proper amount of oil. I have overfilled the tank in the past and it was very obvious to me. My oil gauge also works fairly well to give an overall sense if there is enough/too much oil in the tank.

I used to have a bad oil leak so this isn't such a big deal to me anymore as I don't have to add a liter every month nowadays.

[FPB111]

If you only have 6 ltrs you might not have enough to cover/dampen the turbulence from the return. Try starting with 8. Then measure and add as needed.

[oscar94]

Thanks again for all the input!!!

took it for a drive today and added some more oil. at idle the gauge is reading right at about 7 liters now. the turbulence definitely seems to be coming from the left as i look into the tank. it splashes through the screen soaking the dipstick. nice and hot on the fingers.

i had my son turn the car off and i checked the level immediately and it was right in between the lines. i will try to add a little more oil without going too high and see if that changes anything.

[smadsen]

Oil doesn't return to the tank in a constant stream, like a garden hose. It splorts out intermittently every time the scavenge pickup get submerged, causing turbulence. The reason the dipstick is housed in a 3/8" tube, the bottom inch or two of which is submerged in oil, is to isolate the dipstick from the turbulence.

Is the tube still installed in the tank? Is the measurement being taken with the dipstick inserted in the tube? Does the oil at least cover the bottom of the tube?

[r lane]

From Smadsen. The dip stick shielding tube is a very good point to consider.

[356RS]

I see and hear the turbulence in my 72's oil tank. I have never been able to get a consistent oil reading from my dip stick so I never use it. I change my oil/filter often and basically see 8 quarts drained and put 8 back in. I have dual front oil coolers. Dash gauge works well and is fairly accurate.
I also think the 72 oil tank & baffling is unique.

[Arne2]

As I said above, I don't recall having a problem getting a clean reading from the stick on mine. But like Mark notes above, I also don't routinely use it. Like my previous '84, I check the level with the stick only periodically (maybe annually) to verify the accuracy of the gauge. I use the gauge for checks the rest of the time.