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Hey, I have an NA8 with smoke on startup (lots of it), I had it checked out a while ago somewhere and when I went to collect it dipstick was saying completely out of oil. So filled it up, since then I have every so often topped it up as dipstick was showing low. (Did it with engine cold, after standing overnight, level surface, pushed dipstick all the way in. )

Now just the other day I checked oil and it was showing the oil level at nearly twice as high as the full level !! Wtf!? Anyway that was weird as I've never put that much oil in unless something weird was going on. Now tonight after driving home from work I stopped the car with bonnet up and left it idle for a bit and decided to pull dipstick out and heard weird noises from bottom of engine, became louder when I took dipstick out. Sloshing, boiling noises almost, but not low coolant sloshing noises, different ones, almost unexplainable.

How is this possible that my dipstick was showing low and I was topping it up carefully and now it is supposedly overfilled? If there really WAS that much oil surely it would feel a bit different.. Would it even start?

Also when are you meant to check oil level... Warm engine first then check? Or cold?

Thanks for your help
Marty

Check the oil (engine hot or cold) with the car on a level surface and engine off. If the engine has been running, wait a few minutes after switching off to check the oil. In either case, pull dipstick, wipe clean, replace, pull it out again and note oil level. The amount of oil between low and high marks on the dipstick is about 0.8 litre IIRC.

It's my understanding that you get the most accurate reading of the oil level when the engine is stone cold, for example in the morning when the engine has been off all night.

@ak_perth, that's what I thought too. But it was cold every time and flat (in carport or in a car parking area) and still weirdness. And been following the correct procedure every time. Freaking me out, I don't know what to believe anymore (of how much oil is in my engine) might have to drain and refill to be sure.

Yeah, if you are worried then draining the oil and changing the oil filter would be the best bet and then start from scratch. I always warm the engine up a bit before i change the oil. Apparently it's the best way, just watch out for the hot oil!

Warming it up makes the oil run easier. If you do it yourself, use a plastic bag (ie a Coles one) loosely over you're hand. That way you can hold onto the drain plug and just pull the bag over you hand, turning it inside out to get rid of the hot oil on your hand. Ie like picking up dog sh*t.

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ak is giving the right advice but how to check the oil level . My guess is that the engine has a major problem. I suggest get the engine checked for a proper diagnosis.

Thanks for the tips. Plastic bag idea is good, can't believe I've never thought of that!!

and thanks Mr Morlock for honest opinion ie. that it sounds like it has a major problem. that's what im concerned about. Looks like it's also sprung a rocker cover oil leak. Plan to remove engine in mid November and take a good look at it, maybe get it recon'd/rebuilt and take the opportunity to check out clutch, change timing belt, all rubber hoses etc. etc. while I'm at it. All my rubber hoses are springing leaks now, I'm just fixing them with silicon tape as I go where possible.

Any other suggestions of what I should replace while I'm at it? (apart from all gaskets and valve seals etc. obviously) I have no service history whatsoever, only that timing belt was done at 98,000km (now at high 160s i think so almost due). Water pump?

Yes, if it were my car and i was unsure of the history i would fit new water pump when changing the timing belt. I think a new water pump is generally fitted anyway when the timing belt is ever changed.

Good old dip stick, my wrx did the same thing. I drained the oil and put in the amount of oil required according to the manual. Checked the dipstick and nada lol. it took 1 day for it to adjust and show on the dipstick. I dont know why but yea.

I changed for Motul to Nulon oil and my dipstick always read low if you took the reading after the car had been sitting for a while, I'd take the car out for run and the oil would read full again. It really did my head in, I'm not sure why this happened or where the oil was hiding but since changing back to Motul the problem has gone away.

Maybe the oil was that thin it wasn't leaving much of a mark on the dipstick (sounds silly, but...)?

bruce wrote:Maybe the oil was that thin it wasn't leaving much of a mark on the dipstick (sounds silly, but...)?

I've been using Penrite Full Syn and this is totally possible with this oil! the colour is so pale i can't pick it up most of the time! I use a clean paper towel to wipe / place against the dipstick and take note of the wet spot

It also probably didn't help that I was checking it by the headlights of another car LOL.. The first time anyway

While the oil can be hard to read when it's new the dipstick never read empty with the nylon oil, it was usually 1/2 to 2/3 full.