Oil level for use at the track
04-25-2002, 12:41 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Oil level for use at the track
How many quarts do you guys use at the track. Do you run "a little short"...i.e. 10 or 11 quarts. Or do you run it topped off (i.e. 12 quarts)?
I just got my car back from a mechanic that I really do trust. I had him do a valve adjustment in addition to some other minor maintenance in preparation going to our first DE this weekend. While driving around today, I noticed that my oil level gauge didn't seem to rise much (it normally does). So, I checked the dipstick. Not a drop of oil on the dipstick. Needless to say, I was a little alarmed. I called my mechanic and told him what I had just found. He told me that he only put in 10 quarts. He said if I wanted to add another quart do so but no more than that. He implied that, since I was going to be going to the track, I di d not want to have 12 quarts (i.e. topped off). I didn't ask why this was but I assume that it has something to do with increased temperatures but then why wouldn't I want more oil to keep things from overheating? Anyway, I am trusting that he is correct but I would like to know more about this...quite frankly I don't completely get it. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
I just got my car back from a mechanic that I really do trust. I had him do a valve adjustment in addition to some other minor maintenance in preparation going to our first DE this weekend. While driving around today, I noticed that my oil level gauge didn't seem to rise much (it normally does). So, I checked the dipstick. Not a drop of oil on the dipstick. Needless to say, I was a little alarmed. I called my mechanic and told him what I had just found. He told me that he only put in 10 quarts. He said if I wanted to add another quart do so but no more than that. He implied that, since I was going to be going to the track, I di d not want to have 12 quarts (i.e. topped off). I didn't ask why this was but I assume that it has something to do with increased temperatures but then why wouldn't I want more oil to keep things from overheating? Anyway, I am trusting that he is correct but I would like to know more about this...quite frankly I don't completely get it. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
04-25-2002, 09:21 AM
#2
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I drive a 930 somewhat modified in DE events and have found running low is best. I just want to see oil on the end of the dip stick when it's hot. Any more than that, oil get back into the induction system through a vent and the car smokes badly. I even installed a reverse flow baffle in the vent line but still had the problem. I do have a larger than stock B&B oil cooler in the right fender well replacing the stock trombone coil.
04-25-2002, 09:28 AM
#3
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J-Rad
If I track my car with the oil level at its max the motor will blow oil out the fill tube. The oil runs down onto the exhaust and results in a black flag. Your mechanic is right. 1 to 2 quarts below the max works great.
If I track my car with the oil level at its max the motor will blow oil out the fill tube. The oil runs down onto the exhaust and results in a black flag. Your mechanic is right. 1 to 2 quarts below the max works great.
04-25-2002, 11:35 AM
#4
Racer
Thread Starter
Thanks for the responses. I feel better now...like I said, I trust my mechanic I just didn't know what his reasoning was for this. So, basically you want to run a little low so that oil doesn't back up into the breather hoses and make a mess of everything, correct? I don't understand why that happens (design issue?) but that's OK, so long as I understand that it does happen and this is the solution to keep it from becoming a problem.