SC Oil level

[Whitechameleon]

Apologies if this is a bit of a dumba$$ question but what is the correct fill level for the oil in an ROW SC as i have heard/read differing ideas.

I would expect it to be to the top level on the dipstick and that it should be maintained at that level, but i have also heard it's best to keep it in the middle, between the 2 marks on dipstick.

Please help.

[Oh Haha]

Between the two marks on the dipstick is optimum for our cars.

[sammyg2]

I would rather run it at the lower mark than the upper mark, but the temperature of the oil should be taken into consideration.
It always has to be warm enough for the thermostat to be functioning but if the oil is 180 degrees the level will be lower than if it is 230 degrees. In other words, if the oil is real hot, shoot for the lower mark. If it is just warm, shoot for the middle.

[Whitechameleon]

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Wil Ferch]

I've posted on this before...and it usually is the "cause" for un-explained high oil consumption... that is....if you fill to the "full" mark.

On a dry sump engine like ours, the oil level is checked only when three parameters are properly in balance:
- car is level
- engine idling around 800-900 rpm or so
- temp up to 190 degrees ( usu. 8 o'clock white line)

If you fill to the "full" mark under these conditions...and you then run real hard on a hot day..the oil level expands and wants to oveflow. The overflow actually has a place to go...routed through rubber tubing to the air intake of the engine. Soon...you'll be checking the oil and noticing it a "bit low"...and the cycle starts all over again. This leads to unknown high oil comsumption figures.

Fill it to the mid mark..maybe even a bit lower. Even if the oil dipstick is "just" out of range, your system is not really low...you usually still have 8 qts at that level. Problem is...if you can't "see" the level on the dipstick, it can also be 4 qts !!

Wil

[Whitechameleon]

Thanks again guys.

[sandiego]

Might add to Wil's post that on overfill when the oil goes to the air cleaner area that it then drains out the bottom of the air box onto the engine and then onto the ground.

[masraum]

I always used to check mine when the engine was the hottest it would get. So, if the engine ran at 215 usually, I wouldn't check when it was at 190. I would check on a day that it was at 215 or 220.

[sammyg2]

On my SC the oil tank vents into the rubber boot between the air flow sensor and the throttle body, so any oil that gets up there would go right into the intake. Major smoke screen.
I have seen other SCs that were over-filled, talk about moskito killers.

[Wil Ferch]

Even for 3.2 Carrera's...it gets routed to the intake as Sammyg2 says...

Yep..also for 3.2's...if an airbox gets filled with oil, there is a drain hole that drips down onto the tin...and ( ta da ! ) right over the oil cooler. So when you look from below...you think you've sprung a leak within the cooler. Major heart-attack time !!

Wil

[9elf]

Does the overflowing oil come out this hole?

(Hole is up and to the left of the starter.)

I am dripping oil onto the exhaust from this hole. I overfilled on my last oil change and went out on the track.







Thankyou Ladies and Gents.

[wolf]

Originally posted by tcar
Print Wil's answer and keep it in the car.

Engine idling
Oil hot
Level ground

Don't fill to top

As a matter of fact I have an official sticker saying that in my engine bay; next to tyre press sticker, ignition-cycle sticker and my current mechanics sticker....

[anthony]

This leads to unknown high oil comsumption figures.

That is what happened to me when I first got my car. I kept filling it up to the top mark and then wondering where the oil went. Now, I fill it to the middle between both marks and then wait until it hits the bottom mark before adding oil.