308 Oil Level Check

I checked for earlier threads related to this subject, however, couldnt find anything conclusive.

What is the proper time to check the oil level? When the car is cold, immediately after driving or 15 minutes + after driving? I am experiencing different levels throughout each of the three sceanrios above and wanted to be sure that I am maintaining the proper oil level.

If I check the oil level when the car is cold, its just under the Max line. If I check the oil level immediately after driving the car, its completely bone dry. I understand that the oil settles back into the sump from the system and oil cooler after shut down, however, shouldnt the sump at least have a minimum level at all times?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

Immediately after warm engine shut-off.

 

Thanks, so that means that I am too low as there isnt a drop of oil on the dipstick immediately after shut down.

 

Yes, if you have a wet sump 308 (with the dipstick located in the sump), the "cold" reading (i.e., a measurement made an extended time after shutoff) is typically artifically high for the reason you noted (some of the oil drains back into the sump). For those of us with dry sumps (where the dipstick is located in the oil tank), the "cold" reading is typically artificially low for the same reason (some of the oil drains back into the sump).

 

Perfect, thanks again!

 

What is both authoritative and conclusive is the Owner's Manual. All too often it is the last resort if consulted at all.

1978 OM - "Check engine oil level every 300 miles using the suitable dipstick B (fig 52). Carry out this operation with warm engine just after its stopping...The oil level must always result between the "Min" and "Max" marks on the dipstick."

1984 OM - "Check engine oil level every 500 miles using the suitable dipstick B (fig 52).
Carry out this operation with warm engine (140°-158°F) waiting a few minutes after its stopping (15 minutes for precise checkings). The oil level must always result between the "Min" and "Max" marks on the dipstick.""

a little later - "With engine fully run-in, (oil consumption) is considered normal if between 1 and 2 qts/600 miles."

 

If your talking about a QV this procedure will result in overfilling the sump.

 

I'm not -- check his profile -- his is a '79 2-valve.

 

Also note the marks are TWo quarts apart......overfilling a little is not big deal......not at that rate of consumption!!!

 

What fun would that be?

 

That does seem excessive. At that rate you would think that white smoke would be pouring out of the exhaust and the smell of burining oil would be evident.

Neither is the case with mine.

I will check the oil level the next time I am able to get the car out of the garage. Its starting to get cold here and I probably wont have many more opportunities for a while.

 

Isn't 15 minutes kind of a "long time". I'd think a wet sump would be mostly drained back.

 

That's what the manual recommends. Want to argue? Do so at your own risk.

Dave

 

+1
Manual says 15 minutes after engine stop. I've checked the oil at 5, 10 and 15 minutes after stop, and there are differences.

Ooooopppsss!! IMPORTANT: This is my post number 308!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good number ;-)))
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My '76 manual says to check a few minutes after shutting off. I suspect the oil consumption is due to those archaic nitrile style valve stem seals. That type of seal loses oil from brand new because they cannot accept the type of heat they are being subjected to without losing form at least a little. Viton seals replace that, and no more oil burning to speak of or smoke unless your rings are bad which my understanding leads me to believe the bottom ends are incredibly robust.

 

I wonder what the difference is in the QV and 2V oil circuit. My manual specifically states to ck immediately after shut off to avoid erroneous reading due to oil cooler drain back. Maybe a one way valve or thermostat. I do not know.

 

I am embarrassed to ask this question. I am having trouble reading oil level even though I have had the car for many years. I lost track of the amount of oil I was putting in this last oil change and I can't get a good reading. I run the car and then let it sit for 15 minutes just like manual states but one side of dip stick reads "Min." while the other side reads above "Max. It have always been a close call but when I knew how much oil I put in it was not a problem. So does anyone know why dip stick reads different on each side of stick and which side do I go with? If I leave stick in place for 15 seconds or so it does read all most same on both sides. I feel like it is reading oil on side of pipe going to engine and not oil level. It just does not seem right. Thanks

 

I personally have seen no mechanical differences or proper explanations (just 'cause "the manual says it" is NOT an explanation) to warrant waiting the 15 minutes ... I'd of blown my motor up long ago checking it like that. Even with the upgraded baffle I still starve on right handers if I'm on the pipe.

cheers

 

Well, I've published the whoop-ti-do curves several times which show the change of level vs time and truely 10+ minutes it finally settles down to a given level. That level the factory established as 'full'. If you wish to establish a different level...it's your car.

At a gas station, 15 minutes is MY typical time from
engine off,
stand in line, make payment, fill tank, and return to booth for change,
pull boot release, open luggage compartment zipper and find oil cloth,
pull oil stick, wipe stick end and reinsert, pull out again to read.

15 minutes...thank you Ferrari for precise timing.

 

sorry you're right .. .this thread was about what the factory recomended .... not about what to do when you drive your car fast and see the oil pressure drop on right turns ... I was just looking for an explanation as to why the method changed ... at one time I thought it might be as simple as dipstick length change but no one wanted to compare numbers, etc.

cheers

 

the 1981 manual is the same as 1984 ... why the change from 1978 method?

 

if "just after stopping" is the same as 15 minutes then I'm just on a different time scale.

The way I thought we could compare by dipstick length is look at the level with the car running and see how much it comes up when you shut her down ... I thought about this a bit one time but dry sump is the way to go .

cheers

 

Seems clear to me that owner's of the day were noting the same great differences that we have...differences of oil level at 15 seconds, 2 minutes, etc...differences as much as 1 quart. And this quandary finally got through to the factory and the author of the manuals. Note the language used, parenthetically adding the word 'precisely' almost scoffing those who were pressing the issue. Whereas 'true' mechanics knew what 'a few minutes' truly meant.

History is replete with attempts to understand the behavior of those before us, and attempting to look into their minds because we are obviously smarter than them. When in fact we are only smarter because we stand on their shoulders.

 

I think this only makes us taller.

Aaron

 

For those of us that don't live in the US and need to prepay, spend 5 minutes tops at a gas station. We have to use the "Get home, have a beer, go out to the garage to check the oil" method.

That's such an irritation. Why not just pay at the pump?