"Your oil level is low, you need about 1L, would you like me to top it up?"

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › "Your oil level is low, you need about 1L, would you like me to top it up?"

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kiwirock

685 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1152986 13-Oct-2014 16:26

Which is why I don't call them mechanics.

The last failure I had a few years back was a ball joint. I said to the guy I think the tie-rod is had it because the boot has a crack in it and was ordered to come from Japan. He checked everything but said no the tie-rod was fine and failed it on a ball joint.

A few days later my tie-rod replacement showed up then I got a new wheel alignment. I took it back to VTNZ and they passed it.

So I call them testing personale or officers not mechanics.

mattgreen

133 posts

Master Geek

#1153527 14-Oct-2014 12:23

ubergeeknz:
Inphinity:
ubergeeknz:
geoffwnz: Filling above the mark is also not a huge issue if you know what you are doing.

Depends. It's a very big problem in some engines.

It really depends how much over, as a proportion of standard capacity.

An extra half-litre in a little 600cc that only has ~2.5L capacity, could easily be a major issue. An extra half-litre in a a Lamborghini V12, that has a standard capacity of 13L, is not really a big deal.

An extra half-litre in any engine where the crank sits close to the oil level in the sump, will cause the oil to foam up reducing its effectiveness (and necessitating an oil change), too much oil can create excess pressure in some engines as well, thereby permanently damaging the engine. I'd certainly not be playing so lassiez-faire with a quarter million dollar car.

For sure.. But you probably wouldn't take your Lambo to the local VTNZ for a WOF in the first place ;)

Dynamic

3869 posts

Uber Geek

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#1153529 14-Oct-2014 12:26

ubergeeknz:
geoffwnz: Filling above the mark is also not a huge issue if you know what you are doing.

Depends. It's a very big problem in some engines.

I was told by someone I trust years ago that overfilling is more frequently a problem than underfilling.

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sittingduckz

680 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1153548 14-Oct-2014 12:51

I believe pouring nice cold oil into a hot alloy engine can also be problematic.

I heard somewhere ages ago that synthetic oil doesn't mix well with dinosaur oil, it can congeal or something? But that might just have been a thing from the old days

Either way if it's not part of the WOF check then leave it alone

I'm not a complete idiot, I still have some parts missing.

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