Low oil and cold weather questions
#1
Low oil and cold weather questions
Two issues/questions:
1.
The low oil light light came on the other day. Much to my surprise because I check the oil fairly regularly but as you know the slinky dipstick is $#%ing impossible to read. Thats a whole other issue and I have discovered many threads on the dipstick topic.
Question: how much oil can I put in after the low oil warning comes on? I put in a liter and my dipstick doesn't look any different...so am I still low?
2.
It's cold here now. My engine sounds REALLY diesel'y unitl it warms up. There is a certain rpm range around 2200-2700 ish where there is a really bad vibration or rattly noise.
Question: is this normal? Could it be tied to my low oil issue?
I've only owned the car since late Sept so this is my first winter and it came with a fresh and full oil change so I'm new to the consumption level.
tia,
Sani
1.
The low oil light light came on the other day. Much to my surprise because I check the oil fairly regularly but as you know the slinky dipstick is $#%ing impossible to read. Thats a whole other issue and I have discovered many threads on the dipstick topic.
Question: how much oil can I put in after the low oil warning comes on? I put in a liter and my dipstick doesn't look any different...so am I still low?
2.
It's cold here now. My engine sounds REALLY diesel'y unitl it warms up. There is a certain rpm range around 2200-2700 ish where there is a really bad vibration or rattly noise.
Question: is this normal? Could it be tied to my low oil issue?
I've only owned the car since late Sept so this is my first winter and it came with a fresh and full oil change so I'm new to the consumption level.
tia,
Sani
#2
Some materials have what is called a coefficient of expansion, meaning the warmer the material is the more it expands. Oil falls into this category but with colder weather the viscosity will be impacted and is more important. The weather is not going to make the oil shrink greatly in the oil pan. The air cooled Porsche folks used to say you did not rev the engine at all until you had so many bars on the temp gauge.
What viscosity of oil your using? When were the plugs changed last?
What viscosity of oil your using? When were the plugs changed last?
Last edited by Whine not Walnuts; 12-21-2017 at 02:30 PM.
#4
You can check your coolant temp through the TorquePro app for Android.
If it sounds REALLY diesel'y, I'd suspect your timing chain. There are a lot of threads on this subject. Go to the dealer and have them tell you whether or not the timing chain has ever been replaced.
If it hasn't, it's probably (unfortunately) that time. If it has, you can replace just the tensioner and see if that helps.
Start setting time & money aside to replace the chain, tensioner & guides if the noise is really loud.
If it sounds REALLY diesel'y, I'd suspect your timing chain. There are a lot of threads on this subject. Go to the dealer and have them tell you whether or not the timing chain has ever been replaced.
If it hasn't, it's probably (unfortunately) that time. If it has, you can replace just the tensioner and see if that helps.
Start setting time & money aside to replace the chain, tensioner & guides if the noise is really loud.
#6
#7
Yes, get oil in there asap and check the level. Check it at every fill up of gas and then check around for oil leaks.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-dipstick.html
If no leaks (turbo oil lines, turbo, oil pan, valve cover, you might have oil consumption from a bad valve cover PCV. When it sticks you can consume a bunch of oil, and you will notice lots of blue smoke on hard full throttle pulls.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...pcv-valve.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-dipstick.html
If no leaks (turbo oil lines, turbo, oil pan, valve cover, you might have oil consumption from a bad valve cover PCV. When it sticks you can consume a bunch of oil, and you will notice lots of blue smoke on hard full throttle pulls.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...pcv-valve.html
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#8
#9
If you master it, then reading in the future is easy. Its like a MINI school of quirks.
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Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#10
A little late for my reply, but here goes.
1. That is not a low oil light!
2. It is a low oil pressure light.
3. When you see that light shut off your engine NOW !!!! Add oil !!!
4. When you see that light you are damaging your engine if you continue to drive with it on.
5. Investigate why you are using oil.
6. Check your oil more often, once a week.
7. Carry on.....
1. That is not a low oil light!
2. It is a low oil pressure light.
3. When you see that light shut off your engine NOW !!!! Add oil !!!
4. When you see that light you are damaging your engine if you continue to drive with it on.
5. Investigate why you are using oil.
6. Check your oil more often, once a week.
7. Carry on.....
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Don P
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02-07-2006 08:47 PM
Don P
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02-07-2006 08:47 PM