Oil Level with Cooler Installed

onzedge · 08-30-2012, 07:34 PM

Here is what may be a dumb question.

If one checks the oil level when the engine is cold (i.e. it has sat overnight) and there is an external oil cooler installed where do you look for the proper level on the dipstick? Keeping in mind the more or less quart the cooler and lines hold and that the oil drains into the pan overnight, should you not have the level above the high dot? It seems to me that if the level is on the dot, the engine is actually a bit low. Am I right?

Thank you in advance for your thoughtful replies.

SPOHN · 08-30-2012, 07:42 PM

It really only matters if you mount your cooler facing down. Then I can't remember what the measurements are for that type. But there is a write up here somewhere that a member did to explain it all.

falconfixer · 08-30-2012, 07:49 PM

Like SPOHN said unless you mounted it upside down for ease of oil drainage you should be reading the dipstick like you would without a cooler.

50 plus · 08-31-2012, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falconfixer

Like SPOHN said unless you mounted it upside down for ease of oil drainage you should be reading the dipstick like you would without a cooler.

DR_ · 08-31-2012, 09:33 AM

You can read it just like normal even if the oil cooler is upside down. The oil from the oil cooler gets blocked from going back to the pan by the anti drainback valve on the oil filter.

08-30-2012, 07:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
onzedge A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Battle Lake MN Age: 64 Posts: 183,964 Drives: 370Z 240Z Rep Power: 2684736	Oil Level with Cooler Installed Here is what may be a dumb question. If one checks the oil level when the engine is cold (i.e. it has sat overnight) and there is an external oil cooler installed where do you look for the proper level on the dipstick? Keeping in mind the more or less quart the cooler and lines hold and that the oil drains into the pan overnight, should you not have the level above the high dot? It seems to me that if the level is on the dot, the engine is actually a bit low. Am I right? Thank you in advance for your thoughtful replies. __________________ Koni\|Swift\|Michelin\|Motordyne\|Berk\|RJM Performance\|Gates\|SPL\|Motul\|Technafit\|Ate Super Blue\|Hawk Tommy Kaira\|Momo\|Optima\|Hella\|Hotchkis\|Red Line\|ZSpeed\|Stillen\|B&M\|H&R

08-30-2012, 07:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 46 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	It really only matters if you mount your cooler facing down. Then I can't remember what the measurements are for that type. But there is a write up here somewhere that a member did to explain it all. __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Best High Level to Low Level Converter	harry370z	Audio & Video	2	12-15-2011 07:32 AM
Oil Cooler Installed... comments pls.	Imperial	Engine & Drivetrain	5	10-29-2010 11:30 PM
had oil cooler installed and.....	atx370z	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	3	10-13-2010 06:49 PM
Oil cooler installed, result	cossie1600	Engine & Drivetrain	4	06-06-2010 04:32 PM
Doing an HPDE (level 1) @ Sebring, Oil Cooler needed?	flashburn	Track / Autocross / Drifting / Dragstrip	24	04-04-2010 10:56 PM

08-30-2012, 07:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
falconfixer Track Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: 10aC Posts: 978 Drives: Taco Rep Power: 76	Like SPOHN said unless you mounted it upside down for ease of oil drainage you should be reading the dipstick like you would without a cooler.

08-31-2012, 09:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
DR_ Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 981 Drives: Touring/Sport M6 PG Rep Power: 17	You can read it just like normal even if the oil cooler is upside down. The oil from the oil cooler gets blocked from going back to the pan by the anti drainback valve on the oil filter.