Oil level and oil pressure concern

I'm not one to check the oil level very often as it tends not to shift at all. But driving around the other day I found that the oil pressure was going right to the max under hard acceleration or when releasing the accelerator at highish revs. I don't remember it going to max before.

There was no warning light or anything.

I later checked the oil and it appears to be above the max level! I have never added oil myself, it was done at the last service about 6 months ago!

When I checked the oil there were a lot of bubbles in it too. Is that normal?

Should I remove some oil? It's only slightly over max.

Do I need to worry about the needle going to max pressure?

Thanks!
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Very often the gauge wiring (loose/frayed) causes these spikes - your description of circumstances involves significant engine movement therefore adding credence to this possibility

 

Yes the oil gauge will go to max if there is an open circuit on many Ferraris, 360 included. That open circuit can be the wiring but also be a "dead spot" inside the sensor.

 

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I also have a little too much oil on my dipstick...is the best way to remove a little bit of oil to drain it, or can I just stick a turkey baster down in there?

 

Yes to the first half of the sentence; however, what does "significant engine movement" mean? As in worn engine mounts? If so, how does that affect the oil pressure reading?

 

Or minimum, depending of the gauge's wiring polarity. I had an issue where occasionally the oil temperature gauge would flick to maximum and sometimes minimum. Changing the temperature sensor had no effect. I thought the culprit may be frayed wire insulation. Turned out to be the gauge, which for a car of this age, is not out of possibility.

 

As long as you do not do this on Thanksgiving day.

 

If you rev your engine (or harsh on/off throttle) it moves slightly so any fragility in the wiring may be accentuated ie I mean the second half of my reply to compound the first half not as a separate issue

 

Gravy is a better lubricator anyways....

 

Suck some out. I never go further than half way between low and high.

 

Are you checking it properly? Fully up to temperature and engine idling?
My level will move round on the dipstick and as long as it is between min and max I leave alone. There is a lot of oil in there!
If you are checking with it very hot and it is just above the max level I'd leave it well alone. Bubbles/foam are normal (and suggests you are checking it with the engine running).
Get concerned when it's close to the vents on the separator as that is when it'll end up in the plenum.

The pressure fluctuation is probably the sender, they are junk.

 

Can this be added as a preventative maintenance DIY?

 

why?

 

Less froth. Less chance of oil in plenum. I know it's exactly 10 litres to half way. Too many over fill dramas posted. Dealer tech told me half way is perfect. Any other car I fill to max just not this one.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. The pressure gauge doesn't just jump to the max, it gradually gets there. The needle doesn't do any suddenly movement.

To me it looks like there's just too much pressure.. or is there? Does anyone else hit max pressure when accelerating hard?

 

Only time I ever the oil pressure gauge 'max' was when the sender was on it's way out. Just out of curiosity, was does the hot oil pressure show at idle? With the old sender, it would drop to 35 psi but never lower. Replaced the sender and now it drops to half that, i.e. about 15-20 psi.

 

Mine moves predictably between the ranges of 1/4 - 3/4.

 

I haven't had a chance to get the car out this weekend but will check in the next few days when I do. Thanks.

 

Unfortunately, that is not practical. Without a wiring schematic it is impossible to accurately sort through the insulation color codes. The 360 has approximately seventy (I counted them once, in the workshop manual.) earth grounds, to put the wiring rat's nest in perspective.

 

After an oil change if you add the exact amount of oil per the manual the level would be midway between the min & max holes after a 10 min run (warm level). Was for me 2 times now.

So I agree

 

Yes, twice for me now too.