Checking Oil Level on 355

Get car up to operating temp(175 ), turn off engine, check. That's how I've always done it, or after a drive, cut off and check at once.

 

You can take the oil reading two ways.

1) Just as it says in the book, immediately after engine shut off. And NO, 10 minutes is not immediately. Immediatly is with in seconds of shutting off the engine.

2) How I like to do it, while the engine is idling.

Checking the oil while the engine is idling is a quick way to see what you really have in the system. I check it with the engine idling first, then shut off the engine and run back and check it again. I get the same reading.

 

Careful not to overfill...

 

Yup. Adding 4 quarts blindly (or in this case, to a cold engine) probably means that you've got oil going up into your air filter area, clogging a MAF, etc.

That's a good way to blow a head gasket or oil filter, too.

What you want to do is to check your engine oil level when your motor is hot, such as after your left radiator fan has kicked on.

Prior to your engine getting hot, your dipstick will act as though you are low on oil. The colder your engine, the less oil will be shown on the dipstick level mark.

This is a pretty common "gotcha" for new Ferrari owners. It bit me. I got quite a puff of grey smoke for my first oil-checking effort. Time to drain a bit in your case, I suspect. Check that your air filter(s) isn't covered in oil, too.

 

Here's a question related to oil filling - just how important is it to have the right level as long as pressure reads ok? Or if it is below 'min' will pressure read low? Of course not recommending this as an alternative, just wondering....

 

You can be low on oil and still have good pressure....

 

So bottom line it's technically 'ok' to be low on the dipstick as long as pressure is ok? Just wondering if there's reason to panic if the reading is low on the dipstick...

 

Here is how I do it and never had any problem.

Take the car for a good drive so it is at operating temperature.

Whilst car is still idling take the dip stick out and wipe it.

Then put it back in without screwing the cap and take it out again.

If the oil is below the min level then add a little bit but not to much.

If the level is over the min mark then there is enough oil in there.

Don't be fooled trying to see oil at max level mark. It will not happen.

Try this.

 

''You can be low on oil and still have good pressure''

So if your very low on oil, the oil pressure will not show it as low. So what is a oil pressure gague for? If thats the case then everycar is at risk of engine damage because there is no way of telling that you have low/high oil pressure. Overfilling you car can also effect the flow of oil and the pressure.

 

That was helpful to me and I will do it that way in future.
My biggest worry is trying not to end up with "Ferrari" scalded into my palm from the hot filler cap!!

 

Out of curiosity, does Ferrari recommend conventional or synthetic oil?
Secondly, what are people actually using? Conventional or synthetic?

 

There ARE worst things!!!!

 

I am using Shell Helix Ultra 5w/40 for my 355 although the workshop manual states to use Agip 10w/40. Early 355's used the Agip but later 355's use the Helix.

 

Thanks Don. Getting ready to pull the trigger on a 96 355. Anyone else have any comments/suggestion/recommendations?

 

Just get yourself a nice oven glove (Nomex Preferably), and keep it in the front luggage compartment.

No more burnt hands!!

Regards,
Phil.

 

Synthetic.

And Synthetic.

Although I prefer $7 per quart Mobil 1 versus $20 per quart Shell Ultra Helix.