Checking oil level

[alexanderfoti]

Hi all

My engine is leaned at a forward angle in my frame:



As such, my oil level always reads high.

Apart from jacking the whole bike up so that the engine is level, any clever ideas on how to obtain the right level with minimal effort?

[Tetronator]

Alltough not minimal effort it is minimal in the long run I guess.

1. Jack the bike up so the engine is level.
2. Obtain proper engine oil level.
3. Put the bike back down.
4. Pull the dipstick out and put a new mark where the oil level now reaches.

Bonus Nachos (Do this FIRST):
1. Jack the bike up so the engine is level.
2. Fill oil level up to lower oil level.
3. Put bike down.
4. Pull the dipstick out and put a new mark where the oil level now reaches.
5. Do upper oil level.


I iz smart, yes?

[pietenpol2002]

Sounds like a good bit of jacking going on there Alex. What if you
1. Measured the distance between the "full" and "low mark" on the original dipstick
2. Drained the oil
3. Measured out the precise amount recommended by the manufacturer (either from the drained oil or from a new supply)
4. Refilled with the required amount
5. Check the dipstick and mark accordingly
6. Now using the previously measured distance between original "full" and "low", mark the new "low" point at the same distance from the newly established "high" mark

Given the increased angle of the dipstick over the angle of the original, the distance between the "low" and "high" mark will be a bit less. However, the result will be reflected in the "low" mark being slightly higher than the original mark. The accompanying error is to one's advantage from a safety standpoint with an angled engine as we want to be certain the oil level is always well above the pickup.

But, I don't know yet if I iz smart until someone refutes this hypothesis. Or proposes a better one.

[UAofE]

Necessary oil quantity at an angle will not be the same as level! If you try to fill to the flat oil quantity you could be over filling the crankcase and causing the crankshaft to contact the sump oil.

[alexanderfoti]

I think tetronators method is the best.

Only because the other method relies on me knowing how much oil it takes. I keep finding references to diferent capacities so cannot be 100%.

Uaofe: yes indeed, thats the issue i have at the moment, i think putting it midway between low and high marks should be sufficient but i cannot be sure.

[gilburton]

Well the fact that an engine designed to be put in generators and other slow moving equipment is put in a bike where it will be subject to all manner of forces doesn't seem to affect any of the ones already fitted.
In reality it all depends where the pick up strainer is? if it's towards the front it will be fine. If it's at the rear the forward tilt MAY affect it if oil level is neglected.
I suppose some sort of clear oil level tube would be the only sure way.
On cars with modded sumps we used to cut and weld the pick up tube and move it to the deepest part.
The reason for the different capacities is that different sumps can be fitted depending on the application the engine is fitted to.
If yours came from an Aixam car and uses the same unmodified sump then use the capacity from the aixam car.

[Tetronator]

Necessary oil quantity at an angle will not be the same as level! If you try to fill to the flat oil quantity you could be over filling the crankcase and causing the crankshaft to contact the sump oil.

Hmm, this might be a thing...

Top oil level should just directly below the lowest part of the crankshaft, right? Otherwise it might start foaming/push out the seals and piss oil everywhere. (I might be wrong about this.)

Either-way overfilling might just be worse for your engine than having to little oil. Make sure it doesn't reach the crankshaft!

[alexanderfoti]

This is the D850, which isnt available in the Aixam, otherwise that would be nice and simple

It does look like the pickup is towards the rear of the engine unfortunately: EDIT: Scratch that, that picture is looking at the right side of the engine so I cannot tell if the pickup is placed to the forward or the rear.




I think finding out how much oil is at MAX level (with bike jacked up) is the best step, and then running it towards the high side of the dipstick should be sufficient.

Just a bit more than max level shouldn't cause too many issues with foaming etc. The oil pressure light is stable at the moment but the level reads much higher than the top mark.

[gilburton]

Why show a D850 were you thinking of fitting one??
The diagram doesn't show the pickup if the engine was fitted sideways in a bike tilted forward.
Generally they are above the drain plug.
They can easily be modified as basically they are just a tube so can be moved by welding in some tube to suit.
I would presume as the Aixam was capable of the dizzy height of 55mph the sump may have baffles to prevent the oil sloshing about unlike slow moving plant machinery??
If Tim took it apart he may know??

[alexanderfoti]

Scratch that, my sump looks more like these:



making me thing that the pickup is at the front

[alexanderfoti]

Why show a D850 were you thinking of fitting one??

It has a D850 fitted already.

[alexanderfoti]

The Red X shows where the dipstick is fitted.

[gilburton]

I wouldn't worry as long as it's not burning oil or has leaks just keep it at max.

[UAofE]

Either-way overfilling might just be worse for your engine than having to little oil. Make sure it doesn't reach the crankshaft!

Yes. The buses I work with have a 48qt sump capacity. At 6qts over (1/8 capacity) they have low oil pressure faults because the crankshaft whips air into the oil.
Same with my Mercedes 300D, at 1qt over (8qt capacity) it causes oil pressure and oil burning issues.

[alexanderfoti]

I wouldn't worry as long as it's not burning oil or has leaks just keep it at max.

Agreed, I think I am overthinking it somewhat.

Im going to jack it up, mark the new level and keep it at that.

[gilburton]

Why show a D850 were you thinking of fitting one??

It has a D850 fitted already.

Sorry getting mixed up between you and Tim as you have an ex Tim bike. He was running posts using the Dream and an Aixam engine.