Best time to check engine oil level on my 914? Options

[recko911]

Is it best to check engine oil level when vehicle is cold, or should I warm it up for 5 min then check in 3 min. What do you guys think?

[ME733]

.ON level ground ...Hot and running......this is the reality your engine is in., the oil is hot, and the oil is circulating,and this is when the oil level should be checked.

[TheCabinetmaker]

.ON level ground ...Hot and running......this is the reality your engine is in., the oil is hot, and the oil is circulating,and this is when the oil level should be checked.

You had to know that someone would disagree with that statement, so here goes. Mind please that I am simply disagreeing, not trying to pick a fight (some folks here are so sensitive). While that is true for a six, its not true for a four. Hopefully, when the engine is running, most of the oil will be circulating, and not sitting in the bottom of the case. This could cause two different things. 1- the oil level would read very low, or the oil would be splashed on the dipstick and make it appear to be way over full. The factory manual says to fill with 3.5 litres of SAE 30 only. If that matches the mark on the dipstick, then oil should always checked with engine off.

[ME733]

.ON level ground ...Hot and running......this is the reality your engine is in., the oil is hot, and the oil is circulating,and this is when the oil level should be checked.

You had to know that someone would disagree with that statement, so here goes. Mind please that I am simply disagreeing, not trying to pick a fight (some folks here are so sensitive). While that is true for a six, its not true for a four. Hopefully, when the engine is running, most of the oil will be circulating, and not sitting in the bottom of the case. This could cause two different things. 1- the oil level would read very low, or the oil would be splashed on the dipstick and make it appear to be way over full. The factory manual says to fill with 3.5 litres of SAE 30 only. If that matches the mark on the dipstick, then oil should always checked with engine off.

VSG914.....I appreciate your consideration. Disagreements can sometimes provide a basis for a deeper understanding of the reality of an issue, .assuming both parties are open minded.....So here is some more information to help you decide how you want to check your oil level.....IF you check a 911,s oil level while it,s running.....why is it wrong to check a miserable type IV in the same way.?.....It is possable and doeable to check it while running....I certainly want an absolutely full crankcase of oil, it,s what ALSO provides engine cooling. The engine is not "over" full of oil if the high mark on the dip stick is not exceeded...while it,s running.(and the engine is completely capable of handling a complete Quart of oil if you do overfill it.)...unlike most engines our type 4,s do not have a problem with the crankshaft frothing ..THRU.. the crankcase oil if overfilled, as our cranks are way above the oil....so is the camshaft....With the engine running the volume of oil compressed in the oil passages is approximately one half quart of oil.(slightly more).(more if you have a remote oil cooler). The volume of oil drops in the crankcase...So this is the reality with a running engine. I,ve been filling and checking oil this way for a long time...I do it this way on all my vehicles...it,s one way to know with certainty that you are getting all the lubricating and cooling possable. It will also help (altho not always) eliminate low oil pressure in hard cornoring for a street car. The reality of whats there and whats going on is the thing...from the internal oil baffle cast into the crankcase and many other things.... The reality of whats actually taking place is the thing.