Help! Oil filling, F355 | FerrariChat
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Help! Oil filling, F355

Discussion in '348/355' started by Robertb, Aug 15, 2005.

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  1. Robertb

    Robertb Formula 3

    Nov 19, 2003
    1,331
    South Oxfordshire, U
    Full Name:
    Robert
    #1 Robertb, Aug 15, 2005
    I just checked my 355's oil as per the manual (i.e.fully warm, idle for a couple of mins, switch off then quickly check. Even tried it with engine running, same reading) and it was reading just above the 'min' mark so thought it could do with a top-up. Checked it again to make sure.

    I poured a litre of oil in, and checked it again, didn't drive it just turned it on and let it idle for a few mins again.

    It's now reading above the 'max' mark. I understood from the manual that min-max marks = 2 litres.

    Haven't dared drive it in case I do damage...

    Help! have I over-filled it, or will it 'settle' a bit when I drive it?

    What should I do?

    Thanks

    Robert.
     
  2. netfreak

    netfreak Karting

    Jul 16, 2005
    135
    BC, Canada
    Full Name:
    Paul Lezica
    #2 netfreak, Aug 15, 2005
    if it's a significant amount more than the max line, best thing would be to drain a bit. read this:

    "A word of caution: Be careful not to overfill your car’s crankcase with oil. If you put in too much oil, the engine’s crankshaft can actually come in contact with the oil. And because the crankshaft is turning at several thousand revolutions per minute, it can quickly whip your oil into a froth — like the steamed milk that sits on the top of a cappuccino. Why is that bad? Well, the oil pump can’t pump froth very well, and as a result, it can’t get oil to the parts of the engine that need lubrication. The result . . . a hefty boat payment to your mechanic."
     
  3. The Don

    The Don Karting

    Oct 10, 2004
    131
    #3 The Don, Aug 15, 2005
    As long as it is 'just over', your OK to drive to your local Ferrari Mechanic and have it sucked out.
     
  4. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,611
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    #4 ernie, Aug 16, 2005
    If you need to take some out a turkey baster will do the trick just fine.
     
  5. richard_wallace

    richard_wallace Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2004
    1,957
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Richard Wallace
    #5 richard_wallace, Aug 16, 2005
    The Turkey Baster will do as posted before Just take some out - you know you are only less than a quart over max - so a couple of turkey basters full and you will probably be good.

    As a side note - checking the oil in the 355 - is best done hot. Let it run for about 10 minutes to get the best reading. 2 or 3 minutes you will read low (as you know).
     
  6. MarkCollins

    MarkCollins F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Jul 2, 2002
    3,202
    South England
    Full Name:
    Mark Collins
    #6 MarkCollins, Aug 16, 2005
    Robert

    I doubt you would have a problem with cavitation on a dry sumped car, the scavenge should clear it before it happens and even if the oil scavenged is aerated it goes in the top of the tank and I suspect would clear before the pump draws oil back in from the bottom of the tank

    More to the point Robert one of the reasoins it suggests checking when fully hot is to ensure that the thermostatic valve is open to the oil cooler, I suspect your temp in the tank has dropped with the addition of some new cold oil and needs a bit more than a few minutes of running to open the valve agian restoring the levels
     
  7. Robertb

    Robertb Formula 3

    Nov 19, 2003
    1,331
    South Oxfordshire, U
    Full Name:
    Robert
    #7 Robertb, Aug 16, 2005
    Thanks for the feedback folks.

    In retrospect, I should have let it idle a bit longer before checking it (although I had gone out for a good 25 min drive before to get it warm).

    I spoke to a specialist who said if it is reading a little over it should be OK. he said if it is meaningfully overfilled it may smoke a bit, or worst case scenario is that it will damage the cats (!) if it is very bad.

    His feeling was that given I'd only put a litre in, and it was reading nearly at min before it should be fine.

    That said, I will get the Turkey Baster at the ready...

    Thanks

    Robert.
     

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