Oil level observation

[Rubyred17]

i read somewhere that warm oil expands and that expansion can skew the oil level readings.

I changed the oil in my 17 yesterday, ran it to 170 degrees oil temp and checked the level on the dip stick after 15 minutes. It was at the top of the hash- perfect and on the money.

It cooled down to about 45 degrees here last night and I checked it again after it was cold from sitting all night.

The attached picture is where it was after cooling off overnight. If I were to refill it based on the cold reading I would probably be overfilling it so it’s good. I wonder if this is why the manual specifically states to check it when still warm?

Again, just an observation- I have seen lots of people worried about oil consumption and wanted to highlight the difference between a hot an

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[johnny1]

I've seen posted that since the car takes 10 quarts it actually expands when hot thats why they say check it 15 minutes after shutting off rather than the way on most cars to let it set overnight on level area and check it cold.

 

[Rubyred17]

I've seen posted that since the car takes 10 quarts it actually expands when hot thats why they say check it 15 minutes after shutting off rather than the way on most cars to let it set overnight on level area and check it cold.

I am a believer in that concept now

 

[blueghost]

I've seen posted that since the car takes 10 quarts it actually expands when hot thats why they say check it 15 minutes after shutting off rather than the way on most cars to let it set overnight on level area and check it cold.

I've always checked my hot rod Fords when they are cold, but I'm old school.

Grace and Peace,

 

[JR369]

i read somewhere that warm oil expands and that expansion can skew the oil level readings.

I changed the oil in my 17 yesterday, ran it to 170 degrees oil temp and checked the level on the dip stick after 15 minutes. It was at the top of the hash- perfect and on the money.

It cooled down to about 45 degrees here last night and I checked it again after it was cold from sitting all night.

The attached picture is where it was after cooling off overnight. If I were to refill it based on the cold reading I would probably be overfilling it so it’s good. I wonder if this is why the manual specifically states to check it when still warm?

Again, just an observation- I have seen lots of people worried about oil consumption and wanted to highlight the difference between a hot an

Your oil is filthy. You need a change asap. Ha ha I kid. Looks like you have 20 miles or less on it. Lol

 

[Tomster]

When I change the oil, I dump 10 quarts in immediately without checking it. The oil level is always spot on after a short run and letting it cool down. Some say that each car has its "full" place somewhere on the dipstick where the car will no longer use oil. I've had 3 of these 350s and none of them have ever stopped consuming oil at some hypothetical full point on the dipstick. I have noticed that oil consumption varies depending on the way you drive the car. On the throttle followed by engine braking, slight throttle on deceleration to achieve the crackle and pop, as well as rapid downshift engine blips seem to increase oil consumption. Drive it like an old lady and the consumption seems to be decreased.

My .02 of a worthless dollar.

 

[Rubyred17]

Your oil is filthy. You need a change asap. Ha ha I kid. Looks like you have 20 miles or less on it. Lol

Actually it had about 20 minutes on it !!
I changed it and warmed it up before the pic (darn rain prevented me from driving it)

 

[madlag]

I've also observed this. 15 min after driving it, spot on. wait overnight, its low lol.

 

[tedj101]

When I change the oil, I dump 10 quarts in immediately without checking it. The oil level is always spot on after a short run and letting it cool down. Some say that each car has its "full" place somewhere on the dipstick where the car will no longer use oil. I've had 3 of these 350s and none of them have ever stopped consuming oil at some hypothetical full point on the dipstick. I have noticed that oil consumption varies depending on the way you drive the car. On the throttle followed by engine braking, slight throttle on deceleration to achieve the crackle and pop, as well as rapid downshift engine blips seem to increase oil consumption. Drive it like an old lady and the consumption seems to be decreased.

My .02 of a worthless dollar.

I have had the same experience - though I've only had one Voodoo engine<g>!

<TED>

 

[UnhandledException]

You are most likely not measuring your car on level ground. I now have done 10 oil changes in this car and after every change, oil level is always at the top hole, NOT at the top of the hashmarks, if measured 15 minutes after oil temp reaches 180F. This has been the case every single time since new and my car now has 36,900 miles so you can trust me on this.

Take an actual level and measure the cross brace on the engine and see if its level in both X and Y axis. I guarantee you you are not on level ground. Even 1-2 degrees can throw it off.

Also regarding oil consumption, if you just drive on the highway, with rpms around 2000-3000, your car will use substantially less oil than city driving and some spirited drives. My car normally consumes 1 qt per 1200 miles. On my recent 2400 mile road trip, it used only 1/3 quart, that is 6 times less amount than it would have if I drove those miles in city.

 

[oldnick9333]

I've always checked my hot rod Fords when they are cold, but I'm old school.

Same here. IMO the operative word is 'consistency'. Do it warm all the time, do it cold all
the time, do it 15 minutes after shut down all the time, etc. and do it on a level surface as
much as possible. And something about the cross hatch facing the motor when taking a
reading. Don't know if the cross hatch position is true or not, but that was what I was told.
Also, make sure the dip stick is all the way in before you pull it out....be consistent.

 

[Tomster]

You are most likely not measuring your car on level ground. I now have done 10 oil changes in this car and after every change, oil level is always at the top hole, NOT at the top of the hashmarks, if measured 15 minutes after oil temp reaches 180F. This has been the case every single time since new and my car now has 36,900 miles so you can trust me on this.

Take an actual level and measure the cross brace on the engine and see if its level in both X and Y axis. I guarantee you you are not on level ground. Even 1-2 degrees can throw it off.

Also regarding oil consumption, if you just drive on the highway, with rpms around 2000-3000, your car will use substantially less oil than city driving and some spirited drives. My car normally consumes 1 qt per 1200 miles. On my recent 2400 mile road trip, it used only 1/3 quart, that is 6 times less amount than it would have if I drove those miles in city.

exactly my point, well said Matt.

 

[1814GT350]

Also regarding oil consumption, if you just drive on the highway, with rpms around 2000-3000, your car will use substantially less oil than city driving and some spirited drives. My car normally consumes 1 qt per 1200 miles. On my recent 2400 mile road trip, it used only 1/3 quart, that is 6 times less amount than it would have if I drove those miles in city.

When you are using oil.. are you seeing any black residue on the tail pipes?

Also.. on the dip stick.. between the two dots.. what does that equate to in quarts ?


Just checked my oil.. car has 1100 miles on it.. oil was just below the first dot (from full) and catch can has some oil in it. It was probably 20/25 minutes after sitting.

 

[JR369]

You are most likely not measuring your car on level ground. I now have done 10 oil changes in this car and after every change, oil level is always at the top hole, NOT at the top of the hashmarks, if measured 15 minutes after oil temp reaches 180F. This has been the case every single time since new and my car now has 36,900 miles so you can trust me on this.

Take an actual level and measure the cross brace on the engine and see if its level in both X and Y axis. I guarantee you you are not on level ground. Even 1-2 degrees can throw it off.

Also regarding oil consumption, if you just drive on the highway, with rpms around 2000-3000, your car will use substantially less oil than city driving and some spirited drives. My car normally consumes 1 qt per 1200 miles. On my recent 2400 mile road trip, it used only 1/3 quart, that is 6 times less amount than it would have if I drove those miles in city.

My Boss was the same. Drive it nice it sipped a little oil. Drive it around aggressive it drank a little. About a 3/4 qt per 1500 miles.

Also, I just changed the oil in my R at 1050 miles yesterday. Put 10 qts in. After a 20 minute cool down the level was the top of the hash marks just below or just into the top hole. This morning with engine cold it registers the same place on the dip stick.

 

[Hack]

Hopefully no one would add oil when the level is still between the hash marks.

It's interesting to see that the level looks a little lower after sitting overnight. I agree with the poster earlier who said the car might not be completely level.

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