Dry Sump oil level measuring

12122 Views 22 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Trieste, 1 mo ago

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Discussion Starter · Feb 25, 2012

That may sound like a question of an idiot but I'll take the risk: When I watch different mechanics to check the oil level on either "D" and "F" (both dry sump) one say clearly that in the moment of measuring the oil level, the engine has to run at idle while other say that turning off the engine and right after then measuring is o.k. !?

Now which correct ? Or both ? Thanks for clarification to an non engeneer:thumbsup:

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a1exander

· #2 · Feb 25, 2012

My experience on the 348 and 355 engines is idle shut down immediately measure.

Hope it helps.

a1exander

· #3 · Feb 25, 2012

btw 212 how is F doing?

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Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 25, 2012

a1exander said:
btw 212 how is F doing?

Very good, went to change tires yesterday (michelin). But generally almost no driving for 5-6 weeks because of the cold temperature here for all of February. Today will take out "D" and "F" for stints hopefully.

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Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 25, 2012

In addition, oil and fluids have been changed on both and "D" received its new exhaust (only the last part: Pipes). I found a very nice and fast distributor in Switzerland for original ANSA exhaust with a very competitive price structure. So I bought a pair of the one's I had and a pair without silencer part in it. That one is on "D" for now. Sound is veeeeery nice:crowngrin:

So both cars are ready to be enjoyed once temperature and weather allow me to do so.:steeringwheel:

StefVan

· #6 · Feb 25, 2012

This is a good question I hear quite often. With a dry sump, you should measure the oil level always with the engine idling (sorry Peter

). The reason why is when you stop the engine, oil will immediately flow back. The risk is that you'll measure a lower level than normal and you will overfill with oil. Overfilling can have very serious consequences and must be avoided at all time. It's better having less oil than too much oil

BTW: this weekend, the weather is great again here and I had already a drive yesterday. Many supercars will be on the road this weekend in Switzerland

Enjoy 212

Italian Lover

· #7 · Feb 25, 2012

StefVan said:
This is a good question I hear quite often. With a dry sump, you should measure the oil level always with the engine idling (sorry Peter ). The reason why is when you stop the engine, oil will immediately flow back. The risk is that you'll measure a lower level than normal and you will overfill with oil. Overfilling can have very serious consequences and must be avoided at all time. It's better having less oil than too much oil

BTW: this weekend, the weather is great again here and I had already a drive yesterday. Many supercars will be on the road this weekend in Switzerland Enjoy 212

+1. That was the protocol by the mechanic for my Porsches. He always warmed the oil for a while and measured/added while idling. Just one layperson's observation.

w/ smiles Jimmy

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Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 25, 2012

Thank you guys for the help. So warming up, idling and measuring. Thanks again. And now...lets hit the road.:steeringwheel::crowngrin:

Boxer

· #9 · Feb 25, 2012

I have always done it immediately after stopping the engine.

a1exander

· #10 · Feb 25, 2012

Stef clearly no need to apologise as there are 2 schools of thought on measuring oil.

If the motor is idling and you open the oil tank cap the oil spatters out.......ask me how I know

fromage

· #11 · Feb 25, 2012

212Export said:
Thank you guys for the help. So warming up, idling and measuring. Thanks again. And now...lets hit the road.:steeringwheel::crowngrin:

my owner's manuals specifically state the above method...

also states to note that the car is sitting on level surface...

a1exander

· #12 · Feb 25, 2012

212
Next time you go past her give F a hug from her uncle.

btw I trust that Mrs 212 is well and fully recovered?

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Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 25, 2012

a1exander said:
Stef clearly no need to apologise as there are 2 schools of thought on measuring oil.

If the motor is idling and you open the oil tank cap the oil spatters out.......ask me how I know

No way of sputtering oil when idling while opening the oil cap with "D" or "F". It stays inside.

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Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 25, 2012

a1exander said:
212
Next time you go past her give F a hug from her uncle.

btw I trust that Mrs 212 is well and fully recovered?

Thank you for asking. Yes after the operation never one second a hint of hurt. She's fine working fully and working out again on a low weights level. Everything perfect. We are all very thankful for that fact.

Granucci

· #15 · Feb 25, 2012

I do both . after a long drive I let the car idle and I measure then turn off the engine and measure again typically there is no difference in being anal. my understanding of the shut off technique was for protection of a accident prone operator

tazandjan

· #16 · Feb 25, 2012

212- On the Ferrari dry sumps, you will get the same measurement at idle as you will just after shut down before any of the oil in the dry sump tank siphons back into the sump.You can demonstrate it to yourself on the car of your choice by measuring it both ways.

Incidentally, did everyone but me know the California has the first wet sump engine Ferrari has built in a long time?

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StefVan

· #17 · Feb 25, 2012

I did that test Terry

The time I stop the engine, get out the car, grap a thick towel, open the engine bay, unscrew the cap with the towel and a good half liter of oil is already gone

The hotter the engine is, the faster it will flow back in the sump. Maybe I'm not fast enough. Ahh, getting old

Yep, I knew about the Cali. I guess Ferrari got rid of oil overfilling and as the Cali is a bit more a "democratic" car for also our dear ladies (but not only), they didn't want to take the risk of "Oh my God, I ran out of oil again, let add a couple of liters more"

tazandjan

· #18 · Feb 25, 2012 (Edited)

Stef- I am older than you and have gotten the same measurement on a couple of cars like my old Daytona and the 575M. I cheated, though, and already had the hood/bonnet open when I checked it. Maybe the V12s are different from the V8s somehow.

On the F430, the owners manual definitely says to do the check with the engine idling.

For the 575M, the owners manual says to check the level immediately after shutting down the engine.

For the 599 it says to get the oil up to temperature, then run it for 1 minute at 4500 rpm, and then let it idle for exactly 2 minutes (3 minutes screws up the reading), and check the reading while idling.

So one size fits all on checking the oil level does not work.

Answer is, do whatever the owners manual says to do.

212- On your Daytona, it should work like my 575M, so either way will work. The last Daytona owners manual, 74/73, says to warm up the engine, stop it and check oil level, like my 575M.

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Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 26, 2012

Thank you, thank you for all that wealth of information. Very helpful !:thumbsup:

Boxer

· #20 · Feb 26, 2012

One observation, none of the Ferraris I have owned have ever burned much oil. In many cases I have not needed to add any oil in between changes.

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