checking oil level

[brad360]

I always thought the engine oil level should be checked after the engine had been stopped for quite a while, to allow the oil to drain to the bottom.

Recently a mechanic checked my 360 GLT immediately after turning the engine off and said the level was too low (almost none on dipstick).

What is the correct procedure?

How much oil is definitely too much after an oil change?

[fume]

I have had mechanics do that to me in the past too, i don't know why they do it, the oil will be thin because it is hot but there will still oil in the passages and at the top of the engine. I never let a mechanic top mine up when it is warm, i did once and nearly paid for it, i always do it myself when engine is cold.

[A M R]

yeh you have to wait a few mins and then check it. maybe they were trying to get more money out of you?

[germ]

I always thought the engine oil level should be checked after the engine had been stopped for quite a while, to allow the oil to drain to the bottom.

Recently a mechanic checked my 360 GLT immediately after turning the engine off and said the level was too low (almost none on dipstick).

What is the correct procedure?

How much oil is definitely too much after an oil change?

They do it becouse they want to charge you for topping up oil DUH!!!

macanics do this sort of thing like saying u need traking when you dont and that your tyres are almost bald
they tried that on me just a few days after having new tyres!!!

SO BE AWARE

P.S You Always wait for the engine to cool down and oil to settle for an accurate reading, if changing oil make sure its warm when you do it as more of it comes out and it cleans the engine a bit.
cheers
will

[mac]

macanics ???? - nothing to do with me I hope!

Seriously - it doesn't matter if you check the oil level hot or cold - as long as the engine has been stopped for a time, say ten mins or so (any drain down after that would be minimal). Also make sure the vehicle is level - even a slight slope can make a suprising difference to the level on some cars. Always remove and wipe the dipstick before re-dipping.

If the level is checked immediately after switch off it WILL read lower than true - up to half a litre or more on some vehicles can still be in the head/cam box.

Of course one cannot understand why a commercial garage (wanting to sell small quantities of oil at a huge mark up) would wish to suggest that your oil level is low !!!

Mac.

[A M R]

funny thing, mercedes have outruled the need for a dipstick. all the newer cars now enable you to check the oil level via the little display in the dash. the mercedes mechanics dont even drain the oil from the sump. they suck it out with a long sucker thing from a tube (much like where the dipstick should be). this obviously saves them time from having to take off the undertray(s) but leaves a lot of crap at the bottom of the sump.

[germ]

macanics ???? - nothing to do with me I hope!

Seriously - it doesn't matter if you check the oil level hot or cold - as long as the engine has been stopped for a time, say ten mins or so (any drain down after that would be minimal). Also make sure the vehicle is level - even a slight slope can make a suprising difference to the level on some cars. Always remove and wipe the dipstick before re-dipping.

If the level is checked immediately after switch off it WILL read lower than true - up to half a litre or more on some vehicles can still be in the head/cam box.

Of course one cannot understand why a commercial garage (wanting to sell small quantities of oil at a huge mark up) would wish to suggest that your oil level is low !!!

Mac.

TRUE TRUE AND TRUE sorry forgot to mention about level on ground and heat but time of resting counts too

they charge you for half a gallon of oil if you only want half a pint and that half a gallon is more expensive than it should be so they make a big profit from little work and they do it to lots of "stupid people" no offense to non mechaniclly minded, so it ends up being quite a sum of money added up so just be aware and do the oil your self its not hard and its very cheap considering oil is the stuff that makes engines last much longer then they used too, good oil = happy engined = good MPG and so on.

I dont know if i have made my point but i know lots of you hate me becouse i am young but i am an apprentise mechanic and i know what they do.

So please please please beaware becouse its just silly.

[petefarrell360]

i know lots of you hate me becouse i am young

No one hates you because you're young! We're a friendly bunch at V3M, all sharing a common interest in the Volvo 300, and surprisingly, some of us are a lot younger than people often think, especially the age to which 300's are associated to!

For whatever reason you're here, whether it's with questions, problems, advice or solutions, or just for the fun of it, everyone is welcome!

All good advice, sadly so many people do get conned into having things replaced when they are not needed, or charged for services that aren't required. If they can get away with it, the unscrupulous garages will.

Pete

[Carl]

funny thing, mercedes have outruled the need for a dipstick. all the newer cars now enable you to check the oil level via the little display in the dash.

Pah, my 16 year old BX does that every time I start it up. And a handy little device it is too! Of course, because it's French I do check the dipstick every now and again to make sure it isn't lying

[Chris_C]

Several frenchy cars have, the mk1 clio my housemate had did, but as you say, I've only seen it on french cars, and we all know what the electrics on those is like at the best of times, so I wouldn't like to trust it!