Oil level?

Hi, sounds like a stupid question, but my oil level is bang on to the line on the dipstick when the engine is cold and been standing, but when hot and been running it's barely on the dipstick? Is this normal?

Only asking as when cornering to the right around roundabouts etc, the oil light sometimes comes on it flickers.

Wondered if it was low oil level by I don't think it is.

The oil light also flickers at tickover, but the tickover isn't that low. So I'm wondering if perhaps it's a dodgy sensor?

Any ideas?

 

Hot oil in an older worn engine , flickering is normal. You will eventually need an engine rebuild but that will be thousands to tens of thousands of miles off. For now up the tickover by leaning a bit on the throttle so the light goes out. Eventually after a few minutes the light will go out at normal idle when the engine cools down. When it doesnt... go talk to an engine specialist.

When you stop the oil is up in the galleries and pooled higher up around the engine. It runs back and returns to normal after a bit. That is why you fill up the oil some time after the engine has been running.

 

How about half an hour after running?
I would expect it to be a very similar level by then
What oil grade are you putting in?

 

It's not an old worn engine it's a fresh rebuilt 1641 about 2k miles ago. Good compression no end float etc.

I'm doing a clearance check and adjust tomorrow but the engine has hardly done anything tbh.

Oil wise. I'm running the straight 30 that heritage sell, in the square metal cream coloured tins.

 

Its time you changed to 10/40 or 20 /50.
Make sure it is serviced with 4.4 pints of oil, then note the level on the dipstick. (thats the true full)
Don't over fill as this can cause high oil temperature.
Tony

 

Is straight 30 not what they are supposed to run then?

 

No. 15/40 for a new engine. (or 10/40 as above).

 

Back when there was no more modern oils available.
I changed to 20/50 in 1977, and its been fine ever since.
SAE 30 is the recommended oil for running in, you have done 2000 mls., and that should be run in nicely.
Tony

 

Oh, ok. Perhaps time for a change then. Any particular make or grade? Or just anything with that viscosity?

 

For my money, Castrol XXL 20/50 from VWH, although everyone has their own views on this subject.
Having said that I am probably the only, one owner bus with the original ( not align bored) engine on the forum.
Tony

 

I always use the 20w50 multigrade oil. Castrol XL is good, although Halfords sell their own brand a bit cheaper.

 

Mine used to flicker on idle a bit so I raised the idle by 100rpm to 900 and it doesnt do it any more - at all
And mine is 1600 twin port that is well used

 

Interesting! So what should I be chucking in my 2.0 type 4 as I thought the same with the old Morris 30 from heritage?! (Sorry for the cheeky hi-jack)

 

15/40 mineral not synthetic I believe.

 

Mate will you stop posting, your avatar distracts me

 

I've serviced it and fitted a new strainer, new gaskets, valve clearances done and new electrical HT bits and bobs.

Also filled it with 20/50.

It's green like the stuff we used to put into Astons and what not. Like the old Castrol oil from way back.

see how it goes now then eh......

 

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

I am currently running 30 weight oil for an experiment in a 1979 vintage well used AS41 case that I put new standard sized bearings in .. so not line bored.. and so far I have put 10k miles on it.
The light doesnt come on at tickover with oil at 115 degrees C.


Either your engine has cooling/timing/mixture issues or that recent rebuild was a bit economical with the truth...