Checking oil level | FerrariChat

Checking oil level

Discussion in '348/355' started by Rice-Racer, Mar 8, 2015.

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  1. Rice-Racer

    Rice-Racer Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2015
    252
    After reading many posts, technical DIY etc, I'm curious on a 355 how many people check their engine oil with car at idle? I read a technical sticky here saying that way.
    So, I changed my oil yesterday, and at idle, I'm right at the high mark, is that ok?
    If I check just at engine shutdown, will it give a complete different level, say low and end up overfilling it?
     
  2. WATSON

    WATSON Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 9, 2010
    23,854
    WI
    Try it.
     
  3. Drock28

    Drock28 Formula 3

    Jan 13, 2013
    1,430
    Montreal
    Full Name:
    Tony
    to my understand whether at idle or immediately after shutdown the oil level should be at the middle, between low and high.

    ive done it both ways and it was at the middle both times.
     
  4. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,778
    Ontario, Canada
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    Mike
    From what I've read here in the past, it works both ways.
     
  5. cf355

    cf355 F1 Rookie

    Feb 28, 2005
    4,208
    Full Name:
    chris
    same here....no difference
     
  6. cuneo

    cuneo Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 20, 2006
    2,480
    My 95 Berlinetta's oil tank drains so fast that 5-10 seconds after shutdown you get no oil on the stick. I always check it while idling and fully warmed up.
     
  7. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 26, 2012
    3,821
    Tinton Falls, NJ
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    Bob Ferraris
    You can do it at idle at get similar results to doing it immediately after shut down.
     
  8. Eric C

    Eric C F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Mar 20, 2009
    11,136
    St. Louis, MO
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    Eric
    That happened to me today. I nearly **** myself.
     
  9. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,053
    USA
    I never noticed much of any difference between checking while the engine was running, versus immediately at shutdown. I tended to keep the level toward the upper mark.
     
  10. Rice-Racer

    Rice-Racer Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2015
    252
    I did both ways, same level so content here.
    Thanks for the responses, it pisses me off when some useless clown has nothing positive to say, other then 'Try it'.
    Appreciate the help, especially when so many posts are actually wrong lol!
     
  11. janders82

    janders82 Karting

    Nov 26, 2014
    180
    Atlanta, GA
    i just changed my oil yesterday too. was getting a low reading on the stick before changing. Let the pan and sump drain for a solid 20-30min...re-filled with 9 quarts and now I'm a little over the max line when hot??
     
  12. janders82

    janders82 Karting

    Nov 26, 2014
    180
    Atlanta, GA
    I guess my concern is that I'm also getting a high oil pressure reading. Of course that can mean a number of things. temp gauges seem to be within spec. Engine temp a little on the high side at long idles (around 190F)...

    anyway, I may drain a little out to see if i can get the reading somewhere between te min and max lines.

    thanks for the reply
     
  13. F355steve

    F355steve Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2008
    2,089
    Honolulu - Seattle - Okinawa
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Yup, to get all of it out you would have to undo the oil cooler line that goes from the bottom of the oil tank to the lower engine area. Some who are OCD do that on each oil change. I never have in 4 oil changes on mine.
     
  14. Rice-Racer

    Rice-Racer Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2015
    252
    I agree, from what I've been told from several mechanics, is those lines aren't meant to be broken apart over and over. Any residual debris should be taken out by filter, if harmful.
     
  15. GTSNJ

    GTSNJ Formula Junior

    Jan 18, 2015
    478
    190 is normal I wouldn't worry. I have owned two 355 and never get out more that 7.5 on a drain before pulling the lower line. I measure oil everytime drained so I know exactly how much to put back. Keep in mind a full oil filter with checkvalve must hold some too....
     
  16. ceb39

    ceb39 Formula Junior

    Sep 17, 2012
    483
    San Francisco Area
    Full Name:
    Chuck B
    Would these techniques work on an 87 Mondial, before shut down at idle, and right after shutdown? I keep wondering if I have enough oil in the car, but pressure is good, so is oil and water temp. Two days after running the car the amount of oil on the garage floor can be cleaned up with a 3" x 3" piece of paper towel, if that much. Filters and fluids were changed last August.
     
  17. peterdavid911

    peterdavid911 Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2012
    1,340
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    Peter
    Hi, the mondial has a wet sump so should be measured a few minutes after shutting down. The 348 and 355 are both dry sump.

    Question I have is when you measure your oil level in a 348 or 355 do you screw the cap in all the way or just let the cap rest on top of the oil tank to take the reading.?
     
  18. Shootfighter65

    Shootfighter65 Formula 3

    May 13, 2014
    1,372
    Charleston SC
    Full Name:
    Randy..alluneedtokno
    I wonder about that also...Mine is close to middle either way
     
  19. Rice-Racer

    Rice-Racer Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2015
    252
    #19 Rice-Racer, Mar 9, 2015
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2015
    No, don't screw the cap in!(on 355 anyway) Only cap you screw down to check is gearbox oil level.
    On engine oil cap, you can undo it with engine running, avoid drips on headers etc, wipe stick and just put in place without turning, pull up and read.
    Or, loosen a bit with engine at idle, shut off engine and same within 30 seconds ( or close to it) pull cap, wipe and insert and measure.
    Both methods gave me same reading, just make sure oil is hot, at operating temp.
     
  20. janders82

    janders82 Karting

    Nov 26, 2014
    180
    Atlanta, GA
    do you think i could run into any issues if my level is just over the max fill line?
     
  21. WATSON

    WATSON Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 9, 2010
    23,854
    WI
    You are welcome.

    You asked a question that you could easily answer yourself.

    If that pisses you off, look in the mirror for the culprit.
     
  22. Rice-Racer

    Rice-Racer Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2015
    252
    Lmao! Whatever.....
    Anyway, just passing on information from Ferrari tech, since it was difficult getting a straight answer here.
    Don't screw the cap back down, measure hot either method. It's the same procedure used on my turbo race sleds.
     
  23. Rice-Racer

    Rice-Racer Formula Junior

    Jan 10, 2015
    252
    It's not a good idea to run levels high in this engine.
    From what I read, people run into smoking issues to sensor problems.
    If it's hot and between max and min is apparently where they are happy.
     
  24. F355steve

    F355steve Formula 3

    Apr 9, 2008
    2,089
    Honolulu - Seattle - Okinawa
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Don't run over the full line. Aim right for the middle of the range at the max. Anywhere in the fill range on the dipstick is just fine, but do not go over it.
     
  25. janders82

    janders82 Karting

    Nov 26, 2014
    180
    Atlanta, GA
    i guess I'll be getting dirty this afternoon attempting to drain some oil out...
     

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