Oil level

[Piers7]

Firstly my apologies for this numpty question, but i'm slightly concerned. I've just checked the oil on my car after a good hour long blat. I followed the procedure written in the 7FAQ i.e engine running etc. There appears to be no oil whatsoever on the dipstick. I tried dipping several times but nothing. This was also the case after checking it last Friday. Since then i've put about 1/4 litre of oil in, but still nothing. There is no evidence of a leak on the garage floor.The car had a service at Caterham Mids 1200 miles ago. Since that service i have been to the 'Ring but surely on a car with 15000 miles oil consumption should be pretty minimal. The engine's a 1.6k with anti-cav tank.

Any suggestions and/or reassurances most welcome! 😬

Cheers

Piers

 

Superlight #115

[Roadsport06]

I'd say if you have given it a good run of over 1000 miles then the oil will have blackened enough to see it easily. Get it up to temperature and leave the engine running as you dip in the dipstick. Then add oil until you get oil on it. A small amount of oil or the slightest of slopes will change the reading significantly.

It is usually overfilled after a service as it is checked without the oil upto a good temperature.

 

BRG and Yellow nose VU06 XZX

 

[LazerBrain]

A handy hint I picked up recently is to touch the freshly dipped dipstick against a piece of tissue (in this case it was the napkin from F355GTS' bacon roll ) as you can see the oil against the tissue more easily than on the dipstick.

 

cheers,

 

Darren.

[Piers7]

Thanks guys

I can see the oil when the engine's cold and turned off, so there's a fair amount in there! It's over the hatched area on the dipstick. I think i'll give James' suggestion a go.

Cheers

Piers

 

Superlight #115

[CAB]

Piers

This is how I check the oil on my K with an Apollo tank:

1) With the engine cold remove the dipstick and wipe clean. It will be over the max mark as I believe that the oil drains back from the Apollo tank into the sump. I usually remove it and allow plenty of time for the oil that you have dragged up the dipstick tube to drain back down again or else it will be all over the dipstick. I usually remove the dipstick the night before, clean it, wrap it up and leave it across the driver's seat to remind me to check it.

2) Start the cold engine and allow enough time for the pump to fill the Apollo tank. I allow 1 minute for this. I then check the oil with the engine running and it is usually at the top of the fourth cross/hatch mark. Because the oil is thick-ish and the dipstick tube is clean you should get a decent reading.

3) Remove and clean the dipstick but do not put it back in.

4) The oil will expand as it gets hot, I have a switch to change from water to oil temp on the water temp gauge. I allow the engine to warm up to the 60 mark on the (oil) temp gauge and then dip it again. This should allow enough time for the oil in the dipstick tube to drain back. It is usually right at the top of the hatched section.

I then repeat 3) and 4) when the fan cuts in and the oil temp is about 70, the level is usually just over the max mark. The oil temp is a bit higher than this on the road but not that much.

Replace the dipstick and take it for a thrash.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

CAB

[Piers7]

Thanks very much CAB. That's what i call a thorough check! 😬

 

Superlight #115