AndrewTheFurst

Welcome to another "Did I F**K Up My Car?" question!
Hopefully looking for some information and peace of mind here.

Yesterday I had gone to my cold car to check the oil level ('00 AP1 so I'm always checking my oil level). I had started the car that morning twice without brining it up to operating temperature to just to move it.
Oil level read a little above "H", so I was super confused and panicking a little. I knew that since my last oil change I had only added 1/4 quart so this made no sense to me. I thought I was going to pump some out just to be safe. My tube didn't reach the bottom and I decided to just let it go fo now.

So here are the issues. When I pulled my tube out, it scraped on something and now there area couple tiny plastic tube bits (really, they are tiny) somewhere along the dipstick track. How concerned should I be?
The second weird thing is that I checked my oil on a flat surface 10 minutes after driving. EXACTLY between the L and the H! What happened here?!

Carbon Blue

I wouldnt worry about it, plastic bits from a tube shouldnt scratch or cause damage to the hardened metals in the motor. If it concerns you that much change the oil and filer and ensure that oil levels are at their proper levels.

engifineer

Also keep in mind that after sitting, oil has more time to drain back to the pan vs right after driving, when oil has been circulating through the system.

zze86

Which side of the dipstick are you looking at?

Chuck S

Check both sides of the dip stick. Proper engine oil level is anywhere between the H and L marks. In other words the oil level is Not Low if the level is between the marks. It is not necessary to try to keep it at the H mark. If it drops below the L mark add a quart. If your engine is known to use oil you should of course check frequently but adding oil 2 ounces at a time is not necessary.

None of this is unique to the S2000, it's the same for any car. The engine has much more oil capacity than it needed for safe operation.

-- Chuck

AndrewTheFurst

Thanks for the answers. I do read both sides of the dipstick and go with the lower one I'm really more concerned about the three or four pieces of silicone shavings in the engine at this point. Yes, I know I created a problem when there wasn't one. Call me stupid. Lesson learned.

AndrewTheFurst

Dropped the oil pan and found every single piece sitting right at the bottom! Glad I pursued it. It's a load off my mind.

windhund116

Did you take a photo of the plastic parts?

Thanks!

AndrewTheFurst

Yep! Not happy about the whole ordeal but I'm relieved to not be wondering about it anymore. Lesson learned.