Measuring The Correct Quantity of Oil for Oil Change
Submitted: Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 17:52
ThreadID:
68205
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6825
Replies:
11
FollowUps:
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Saharaman (aka Geepeem)
Greetings to All,
This seems a simplistic question but it is one that I wonder about every time I do an oil change. So I seek your opinion.
According to the owners manual my 12HT turbo diesel takes 10.7 litres of oil with a new filter. I buy 2 x 5litre containers of oil (Penrite HPR Diesel 20W60) and have a spare 3rd container to use for top ups and the extra 0.7litres at change. I drain the oil while hot and let it run into a container for about 30mins. I then put in the first 10 litres (without measuring it). I then run the engine so the pump fills the new filter. After settling I
check the dipstick and its approx on full mark. I then measure the 0.7litres in an old kitchen jug accurately. The dipstick now shows 4 or 5mm above full mark.
Considerations:
1.Does an aftermarket filter hold less then a Toyota filter (thus 10.7 litres is too much)
2.100% of oil probably never drains out of engine – thus 10.7 litres is always going to overfill;
3. Do the full containers hold exactly 5 litres each.
Question:
Given the above should I use the correct owners manual quantity (10.7litres) or use the dipstick measurement. In between oil changes, topups are done by dipstick so why not just use dipstick at oil change time. Or is it normal to fill above the full mark.
Cheers
GPM
Reply By: Member - Rob S (NSW) - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 18:19
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 18:19
HI GPM
It's not rocket science just use the dipstick.
good enough.
Rob
AnswerID:
361505
Reply By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 18:22
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 18:22
I always go by the dipstick mark.
Funny story-Our cruiser never used a drop of oil between
services and I got a bit slack at checking it between
services(like never).Fitted a turbo and started checking regulary,To my shock, first
check showed oil about 1/2lt down(hot).So I topped it up to the full mark.Next day I checked it again but cold this time and it was 1/2lt over full.Mmmmm.Seems when hot its below the mark but once cold and settled(more than an hour) it sits right on the line.And I never picked this up for the first 3yrs of owning vehicle.
AnswerID:
361508
Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 20:26
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 20:26
Gday Nick,
Your oil filter might be draining out too - those anti-drain valves don't always work.
FollowupID:
629265
Follow Up By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 20:38
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 20:38
Yeah, I thought of that but when I do
services, I always fill filter full before insatalling, fill engine oil to full mark, start engine for 30 odd secs and then re
check and top up if needed.So after its serviced with a full filter, its right on the full mark.That would then mean it would show over full after sitting fo a while.
FollowupID:
629269
Follow Up By: get outmore - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 23:06
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 23:06
doubt it phil from memory the 12HT has the oil filter sitting the right way up - opasite to a 1hz meaning oil cant drain out of it
as for the oil difference on the dipstick between a cold and warm motor with a 1hz it is approxamitly 1/2 the distance between the full and add
FollowupID:
629307
Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Sunday, Apr 26, 2009 at 08:04
Sunday, Apr 26, 2009 at 08:04
Nick's vehicle is a 1Hz. But you're right - 12H-T filter sits face up, so doesn't drain.
FollowupID:
629331
Reply By: Madfisher - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 18:23
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 18:23
As a lot of members know I work for a hire car Co. As we might not see one of our vehicles for thousands of ks I overfill them by 10mm as a precaution, against running out of oil.
Cheers Pete
AnswerID:
361509
Reply By: Von Helga - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 18:59
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 18:59
I use a 10 lt water can as my 100 series takes 9 lts incl filter IAW the specs.
Try putting in the 10.7 lts in one go in the knowledge that this is in accordance with the manual.
AnswerID:
361515
Reply By: DIO - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 19:45
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 19:45
When you drain the engine oil you can never manage to get 100% out, at least I can't.
AnswerID:
361527
Reply By: Member - Paul W- Esq (VIC) - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 20:33
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 20:33
10.7 will be a dry fill, some always gets left in crevasses in the head and block thus not all of it will come out.
AnswerID:
361536
Reply By: Gronk - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 21:42
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 21:42
I have a diesell Terracan ( used to have a diesel Jackaroo ) and have always had a problem with the dealers telling me it's not full after an oil change (supply them with the exact ammount in a plastic drum )
Next day ...after letting it settle...always been level with the top mark on the dipstick !!!
Fair dinkum...and they call themselves mechanics !!!
AnswerID:
361548
Follow Up By: Horacehighroller - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 22:13
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 22:13
You're supposed to
check oil level imediately after running the motor.
Peter
FollowupID:
629293
Reply By: get outmore - Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 23:01
Saturday, Apr 25, 2009 at 23:01
its not rocket science - for both my 2h and 1hz ive just bought a 10L bottle of oil
drained the sump into a bucket, tipped all of the 10l container in then poured the bucket of used oil back into the container ready for disposal
never needed to top oil up
AnswerID:
361568
Follow Up By: Member - Ian H (NSW) - Sunday, Apr 26, 2009 at 09:15
Sunday, Apr 26, 2009 at 09:15
Another way of collecting used oil for disposal is to drain it into an old, already empty 10 litre oil container then keep the latest empty one for next time.
I think a dose of CEM in the oil before changing would get rid of the crud build up in the engine. Did wonders in our 1HZ.
FollowupID:
629341
Reply By: Axel [ the real one ] - Sunday, Apr 26, 2009 at 09:43
Sunday, Apr 26, 2009 at 09:43
For a 92 80series factory turbo auto the handbook states 9.5 lt with filter change , allways just put in the 10lt container of valvoline super diesel , dipstick level allway just a 'bees di-k" above the full line ,, never a drama , changed every 5,000 oil and filter ,,,
AnswerID:
361606
Reply By: Martyn (WA) - Sunday, Apr 26, 2009 at 09:56
Sunday, Apr 26, 2009 at 09:56
Saharaman, Take the oil level reading from the dipstick and my understanding is that this should be checked when the vehicle is level and before it's started. If you overfill with a turbo engine this high level of oil can restrict the oil flowback from the turbo to the sump which longer term causes coking and premature failure of the turbo oil seals.
The oil capacity mentioned in manuals is a fair guide, the dipstick is the guiding light, if you didn't use the dipstick and relied on the right measured amount of oil being in the sump you would have to drain the oil every time you checked it.
Me in a turbo I always run a smidgen lower when cold and level before I start the engine. As long as you consistently measure the oil on the dipstick when the engine is in the same state you won't go far wrong.
My opinion others may vary.
AnswerID:
361609
Reply By: Flywest - Sunday, Apr 26, 2009 at 15:48
Sunday, Apr 26, 2009 at 15:48
Does it have an oil cooler?
How are you emptying the old oil out of the oil cooler if it does?
How do you empty the old oil out of the turbo line as
well?
As others have said - the manual is giving you the dry fill amount assuming all the old oil is removed.
I usually top off the new oil filter with oil before I install it soi that the engine doesnt have to run without oil for those breif seconds while the filter is pumped full from the sump, by the oil pump....but thats just my way.
For those who think about it.......
When you do a trans fluid change - how do you get the old fluid out of the torque converter and trans fluid cooler - just dropping the drain plug only changes about half the trans fluid - which is better than nothing - BUT there is a whayto change ALL the trans fluid - including the torque converter and trans fluid cooler etc.
Cheers
AnswerID:
361672