mad skillz

I drive my R infrequently. Earlier this month, with 2500 miles I took a long trip with speeds varying from 70-90. This was the longest trip I have taken in the car and it was quite enjoyable even without cruise control.

I check the oil in my car before and after each drive on level surface after the engine has cooled. This time I left the car in the garage for a few days after the trip before I checked it. With 2790 miles, the oil level seemed a bit higher than it was previously. As you guys know, there are two holes in the dip stick. My oil level has always been at the top hole so that oil is covering it after the stick has been wiped and re-inserted several times.

===0===0|======
Oil level ---^

===0===0==|====
Oil level -------^

I was worried that a seal went bad and foreign liguid might be infiltrating the oil. Since I was close to the first service interval, I decided to do the "A" service and replace the oil, filter and compression washer to see if there was a real problem with the oil.

I started the car prior to the oil change to warm it up a little and the oil level was normal again, but I was still concerned. After the drain and replacement, I used the oil bottles from the Acura dealership to catch the old oil. Each bottle was refilled and there was no extra fluid. With the new oil and filter, the oil level is now back to just a smidge higher than normal.

Has anyone ever seen this oil level inconsistency before? I repeated the oil check several times so the reading was consistent. What could cause this? An oil filter being scavenged? Still waiting on my service manual from Helm.

Cliff notes: How can a cold engines oil level increase be indicated with no real extra oil/fluid in the engine.

sackdz

I had a little trouble deciphering all that, but remember that you should check your oil level with the engine warm, and that after and oil change or a drive, all the oil isn't in the pan. After a while of no activity it will drip back down, making the oil level appear to be higher on the dipstick. Always measure the same way, warm motor. After a change, run the car for a bit and check again.

CPR

Cold engines means it's been sitting there long enough for all the oil to drain back to the oil pan.

sackdz

Ha, I should have just read the cliff notes

mad skillz

the post states the oil level is always the same in the past, cold or hot alway on level surface.

sackdz

When you do an oil change you're not removing all the oil from the motor.

98R #448

so you should check the oil level when the car is warm and and half the oil isnt even close to the dipstick? Doesnt make sense to me correct me if Im wrong. Wouldnt it be bad to check it when warm only to add too dam much oil. check it when its cold and then have too much oil?

mad skillz

ttt

Edwin

Don't fret so much.

The dipstick is not always reliable indication of the oil level in your car.

Check it weekly unless you're racer. If it falls between the lines or is at full then you're okay.

Willard

Make sure you push the dipstick all the way down. Sounds crazy... but I have had a simular issue. Check it one day... check it a few days later.... WTF?! ~2/3 qt. lower. I was a bit upset and then double checked it (with pushing it all the way down) and the level was fine.

Will