How to tell if oil is overfill or under in NB

initial D · Postby **initial D** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 7:56 pm

Got a NB8a Turbo just wondering how can u tell if the oil is overfilled and underfilled, if 1 side of the dipstick is a bit overfull and the other is below the correct levels..

It has oil relocated thing and oil cooler, i think i must have put 3.1 to 3.2ish litres in there.

Thanks

Postby **NitroDann** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 8:14 pm

If its between the marks its ok for daily use, if its above the halfway point for the marks its good for track use.

Dann

initial D · Postby **initial D** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 8:22 pm

Yeah i just check its a touch over 3L maybe 100 to 200ml should be sorted

lizard · Postby **lizard** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 8:38 pm

Never trust a dipstick :roll:

Next time you do a oil change and after filling with fresh oil check you dipstick and file a mark where the oil level is then center punch a hole on the file mark then drill a 1/16 hole on the file mark . This new hole/ datum mark will be 100% correct. I have seen wrong dipticks in motors and seen where the wrong or missing rubber grommet has given a false full reading .

NB This is only suitable for a motor where there isn't any external oil filters or cooler have been added if you do make sure you allow for the extra oil

TIP · Postby **TIP** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 8:53 pm

hmm true so i should add more oil since i have oil relocation kit and oil cooler but how much more is the question.

narita · Postby **narita** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:02 pm

4 quarts

Postby **NitroDann** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 9:11 pm

Probably best not to troll post in an engine thread.

Dann

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 10:25 pm

My NB8B with Works Engineering oil cooler, remote filter and an excess of hoses to link it all up takes more like 4 - 4.5 litres depending on how long I leave it to drain out.

Postby **Okibi** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 11:20 pm

For stock MX-5s this page is handy
http://www.miata.net/garage/fluid.html

Also take a look some pics of the 1999-2000 California-spec unique dipstick
http://www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/index.php?topic=23768.0

initial D · Postby **initial D** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 1:26 pm

just put 500 ml in so i think round about it should be 3.7-4l in there

lizard · Postby **lizard** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 2:13 pm

initial D wrote:just put 500 ml in so i think round about it should be 3.7-4l in there

Guessing or hoping

initial D · Postby **initial D** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 5:28 pm

I checked the dip stick and it was just under filled a tad but with the oil filter full of oil it should be just right

Its showing evenly now i think i wiped the tip of the stick to maybe thats why.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 6:57 pm

Is there really a thread on this?

Remove dipstick, wipe off, put back, remove again.

Oil below L = way too low, drive like this and you'll likely ƒü¢k it.
Oil above F = Oil too high, not great, but won't do any lasting damage.
Oil between L and F = it's fine, top it up so it's near the F though.

Next time you do a oil change and after filling with fresh oil check you dipstick and file a mark where the oil level is then center punch a hole on the file mark then drill a 1/16 hole on the file mark . This new hole/ datum mark will be 100% correct. I have seen wrong dipticks in motors and seen where the wrong or missing rubber grommet has given a false full reading .

Why bother? somebody already did that at the factory when they made it, that's what the low and full marks are.
Who's to say the oil level in there is the correct level when you take it out to makr another mark?

The difference between the two sides of the dipstick is almost nothing, from L to F is about a litre from memory, the 1mm difference in measurement is about 100ml MAX
And extra 100ml won't do any harm, just as being under by 100ml won't cause an issue.

If Mazda felt that the difference between LOW (ie: danger to engine) and high (normal) warranted a 1 LITRE tolerance, do you think 100ml will be an issue?

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 7:06 pm

Let me just clarify, that post isn't directed at IniitalD.

It's directed at everybody who seems to want to make a simple task so complex.

Locutus · Postby **Locutus** » Wed Mar 27, 2013 7:30 pm

Sounds silly, but there are plenty of people who have trouble getting a clear reading from their MX5 dipstick (check the big forum). I haven't had trouble until the last 12 months or so.

For example, sometimes one side of my dipstick is completely dry, and the other reads empty. Wipe, take another reading, one side is well over full, other side reads halfway. Wipe, take another reading, one side is full, other is well above full again.

I now usually take half a dozen readings and guess the level...