another dumb question

[tat2dphreak]

I recently changed my oil and adjusted the valves on my '72 1.7..
when I checked the oil the level was fine so I started it up, drove for a while and checked for leaks... no leaks were found. however, I checked the oil again the next morning and it was Very low, barely touching the dipstick! still no leaks, though. I added about 3/4 of a quart... now I check it and it's too much oil!!! (the level is almost 1/4" above the fill line).
1.) what did I do wrong?
2.) what caused this?
3.) is this overage enough to worry about/should I drain some out now?
4.) should the oil only be checked when the engine is warm and running?

PS - don't laugh at me.

[AZ914]

Keep in mind that I am no mechanic:

If you checked the oil before starting, the filter probably hadn't filled up yet.

[jamcleod]

in fact, you can fill up the oil filter (almost full) before you screw it on and you won't run the engine with no oil pressure

[tryan]

yes, drain a little out. the dipstick is a just a pint between add and full.


next time. pull the plug. drain the oil. take the plate off and clean the screen ( nobody does this anymore. have new gaskets as required ) reinstall the plate and plug. pour 3 quarts in the motor. remove the old filter. pour fresh oil in the new filter and let it sit for a minute for the paper to suck up some oil. pour a little more in the filter, lube the o ring and spin it on.

start the motor and check for leaks. let it run untill the oil gets warm. shut it off and let it sit for at least 20 minutes on LEVEL ground. then check the dipstick with the engine off. always keep it at the full mark.

[tat2dphreak]

I did fill up thhe oil filter... most of the way anyway, I guess I'm more concerned now that it is showing over... will this do any damage?

[anthony]

1/4" above the fill line is nothing. Autocrossers routinely run these engines with extra oil to prevent starvation around corners. Just drive it.

[tat2dphreak]

I'm just paranoid... I have friends who have told be stories of blown front seals from a 1/2 qt. extra in a type 1 and didn't want to do that to my '14.

thanks for the help

[Rouser]

The one thing I quickly noticed when I OOPS'd it over the full mark was that the excess oil began weeping out of the front crank seal during operation, rating an Exlax Moment of 8.

I drained the difference out and set it to the proper level; leak stop immediately.

[tat2dphreak]

if there's only 1pt between add and full I am probably 1 pt. over. I have been looking for leaks and looking to see if the level drops any in between uses....so far no leaks, and no change in level. I may drain a bit out this weekend, unless you think 1 pt. too much is nothing to worry about.... what do you think?

[tryan]

i have always heard a half quart over is okay on a type IV.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I run 1 pint over; it helps keep the oil light off a tiny bit longer in the sweeping turns. No problems from it that I can tell. It seems to be generally-recommended procedure in 914s.

--DD

[tat2dphreak]

cool guys, thanks for the info, I guess I'm just paranoid. I've been driving it like that, but then a friend said that over is bad on type 1s so I got scared.

thanks for the info!

[Potter]

You mean we have to change the oil in these things????

[scotty914]

hay i just thought it was meant to leak out so you just add more every so ofen and change the filter

[M. Hendrix]

If we could figure out a way to aim vaccum leaks..




M

[Potter]

Hendrix.......you absolutely KILL me..........I love it. Something tells me that the humor is not recognized by everyone..........but man, I recognize it and I really do appreciate it. Obtuse humor makes my day.......keep it up!!!!

[mikester]

I hear that if it isn't leaking it means you're out of oil...


Of course, mine doesn't leak...and I'm not out.

[neal c.]

A lousy pint over? Mine burns that up in 50 miles.

Neal

[Kevin Powers]

csooc. constant state of oil change.

kevin