avlonitis

I have been reading various threads about the engine oil for the S2000 and the oil dipstick and I have realised that many people have been trying to explain why the oil level reading is different on the two sides of the dipstick, but nobody seems to know the answer and everybody speculates. So I thought, I will give you the answer once and for all!

The engine in the S2000 is placed diagonally. You should know that. It was positioned this way, so that it fits in the bay allowing for the bonnet to be lower. So the oil level is parallel to the ground of course but not in 90 degrees with the vertical engine axis and the oil dipstick. And if you take a look at the way the engine is positioned in the bay, you will understand why the oil level is always, ALWAYS (!) lower at the driver's side of the dipstick.

I hope this is helpful.

Have fun!

dangarza

Well, if it's because the engine is placed diagonally, the difference between the 2 sides should not be greater than a few millimiters (a result of the " Tilt " of the dipstick on the oil pan.)

Yet many times when we measure the oil, the difference is nearly over 1 cm! WHY?

Because -as explained in previous threads and in a Honda service bulletin- (Do a search on "oil consumption" ) The dipstick goes through the cilinder head, thus sometimes it "picks up" a false reading in this fashion.

The cure is to ALWAYS take the LOWER level as the valid one. No speculation, just the facts.

Cheers,

Daniel

VTEXTC

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dangarza
[B]

wanabe

interesting... i prefer to use the higher of the two. less chance of overfill which is much more dangerous than underfill (imo of course!)

xviper

You should not be seeing a difference of over 1 cm. There is definately something wrong with either the way you read or the particular characteristic of your dipstick. When I read mine, there is only less than the distance of an "X" (or less) from one side to the other.

Here's my explanation on how to check the oil in this thread:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...793#post1159793

And check out my 2nd reply in this thread:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...threadid=110240

In a sense, this is OLD news.

Destiny2002

Evidently the dipstick is more absorbant on one side.

dangarza

Xviper wrote: "You should not be seeing a difference of over 1 cm. There is definately something wrong with either the way you read or the particular characteristic of your dipstick"

OK, OK, I exaggerated a bit to make a point, my good and wise friend Xviper.

I must confess that I always check my oil with the car cold (I know, manual says it should be when warm,) but to my defense I can say that I do this consistently since the car was new, thus I keep the same level as when it came out of the factory (Top X) It's sort of like weighing yourself, as long as you are consistent, I guess it's not so bad.

AND NO, THERE IS NO "PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTIC" OF MY DIPSTICK XVIPER, IT'S A DAMN BEAUTY, YOU CAN ASK MY WIFE MAN!


Cheers,

Daniel

xviper

Dan, I love your sense of humour!
It's fine to check it cold. I've posted about this too. Just know the difference in reading from when it's cold to when it's hot and you'll be fine.
ps. I almost always check my oil level cold.

dangarza

Xviper wrote: Just know the difference in reading from when it's cold to when it's hot and you'll be fine.

Hmmmmm.....

Daniel

dangarza

No, actually it's one of the "fine points" I've learned from this forum (To check the oil with a warm engine).

It's just that it's sooo much nicer to do it at home, in the privacy of my garage, with a quart of oil handy if needed..... rather than dirtying my hands while driving this beauty and having to carry a bottle of oil in the trunk (which for at least one member has caused major damage to the trunk by spillage).

Cheers,

Daniel