stevieboats

My oil gauge is barely leaving the yelow mark on the bottom. I can't find mobil one 10-40 can I top off with 10-30

David A

15w50 is better for an aircooled motor but double check with the dipstick, engine oil temp at 9 o'clock. Car flat.

TMc993

You are talking about your oil level gauge and not your oil pressure gauge....Correct?

If your oil level gauge is moving off the bottom mark when your engine is hot and running at idling and the car at is on a level surface, then you are less than a quart below full. If that is the case, you really don't have a problem. Just wait until you can find the correct oil to top up. As mentioned above, if you haven't already done so, it would be a good idea to confirm your gauge reading with the dipstick.

Pags993

My dash gauge (oil level) hasn't worked since the day I bought the car and I don't intend to fix it anytime soon. Nothing beats the accuracy of regular dipstick checks using the method described above.

stevieboats

i already added 10-30 out of fear. the gauge didn't move . I put in a quart and now i have to much oil. How can I remove some thanks

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

The best advice I can give you is to never, ever believe the oil level gauge as the "gospel" on oil level. The dipstick, which is challenging to read, is the ONLY 100% reliable way to determine proper oil level and only when the engine is at full operating temperature when idling on a level surface.

You would never believe how many cars I've seen in 38+ years with overfilled systems due to their owners using the gauge, instead of the dipstick. Its in the hundreds and some of them suffered bent rods.

Drain some oil from the tank and then check the system with the dipstick after its completely warmed up and idling on a perfectly level surface. Follow this advice and you will never have this problem ever again.

Edward

Wow, Steve ...bent rods from overfill?!! Shall I guess increased crankcase pressure? And they must have been grossly overfilled to displace that much free air, yes? Yowzers!!

Edward

NC TRACKRAT

You can remove oil via the filler neck with a MITY-VAC vacuum tool or a siphon pump from Harbor Freight or other tool supply store.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Absolutely. Liquids are not compressible and when the cylinders fill with oil from gross over-filling, the result can be bent rods when someone tries the start the engine.

I've seen many people just add more and more oil until the gauge is mid-point, resulting in an engine FULL of oil.

Nobody reads the owner's manual anymore.

stevieboats

Thanks everyone. Used turkey baster and removed little over 1/2 qt, now guage back on bottom. Can I still use baster for my turkey l Big thanks to all. Will not do that again

Ed Hughes

You need to learn how to post, as well. I just replied to your other thread with the same name.

OverBoosted28

This is the best you'll get with oil halfway on dip stick, warm enough to open thermostat, at idle on a level surface.

ilko

Do not use some run of the mill 0W-40 or 10W-30 oil. They are the wrong weight to begin with. Mobil 1 and the likes are generally not good for these cars (except Mobil 1's V-Twin formula). Get some 20W-50 (unless you run the car in really, really cold temps) that has the proper amount of ZDDP to protect your air-cooled the engine.

Where in NY are you and do you have a mechanic who works on your car?

996scott

But did you check it with the dipstick? As stated several times, don't go off the gauge unless it is calibrated with the dipstick.

Edward

Thanks for the confirmation, Steve. As always, you're a real asset to us here, sir!


And WRT those not reading the owner's manual, a kindly memorial salute to RayCalvo

Edward