How much oil do I put in.

[I_M_Weasel]

Once again I apolagise for my lack of car knowledge.

I was checking my oil today and the dipstick appears to be completely dry.
I've added 1 litre and there is no change, do I just keep adding until I do reach the mark?

How much oil would an engine need (assuming completly empty), I guess it at least had some left in.

Bemused at where the oils gone, no obvious leaks, exhaust gases look fine. The car smelled like it was going to set on firewhen I added that litre (was warm).

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

[I_M_Weasel]

ok

 

[I_M_Weasel]

keep filling it until its level with the oil fill cap.

I did know not to do this, I'm bad with cars but not that bad.

 

[I_M_Weasel]

ok trentlad i'll follow your advice, I'll follow stulid's if he'll buy me a new engine afterwards.

 

[I_M_Weasel]

Well I've reached the min mark now, 1.5 Litre used.

 

[I_M_Weasel]

Actually first time its been checked.

It got a new engine (refurb) 10,000 miles ago but the garage managed to bugger up the bonnet release catch so its an absolute pain to open up. Of course I've had to get in there to refill screen wash but have usually been in a rush or the car has been on the move for hours, so getting a proper reading wasn't possible.

I guess I assumed the garage would have checked the oil and with no pools of it under the car or preasure warning from the car I've not worried about it, I had some spare time to check things today and thats when I've discovered the lack of oil.

My PC is of course lovingly cared for and gets its filters cleaned every week, the car gets fixed when I break it - which is probably more often than it should be.

In my defence I frequently change its break pads (by I, I mean a garage) and fit good tyres.

I'm going to add another 1/2 litre.

 

[I_M_Weasel]

Oh its only a 1.2 Corsa, 10 years old and of no re-sale value, last engine had been losing coolant for 60,000 mile or so through the head gasket slowly. It always got me home though even after my lack of care. However I would like the refurb engine to last more than 10K.

 

[I_M_Weasel]

If I'd asked where to get a car on credit I'm sure someone would have jokingly said Carcraft (which is funny if your in on the joke)

Most posters have given me good advice I think, trentlad and housey in Particular, a fair few others quickly told me not to fill it to the top. I'm sure if Fox had been here earlier he'd have helped too - has done in the past.

Thanks for the helpful advice and the comedy advice.

 

[I_M_Weasel]

Where did you get the "new" engine from. If it was from pretty much anywhere apart from a reputable specialist I highly doubt it's seen any refurbishment whatsoever .

Clearly I know nothing of engines but it took about 2 weeks to arrive, probably straight out of a rear end W/O. Still I'd like more than 10K. My only knowledge of it being a refurb is the garage saying they'd get one and the receipt saying thats what it is.

 

[I_M_Weasel]

They even teach checking oil in driving lessons these days!

They didn't in my driving lessons, anyway I did check the oil, I just wanted to be clear on how to refil it as I'd already added a litre with no change. I didn't know if there could be another factor in the low oil reading and that I was in fact massively over filling the engine.

As explained earlier engine access is a bit of a pain, if it were easier I'd check more often and I had no reason to expect low oil, Its not leaking it or burning it and no warning lights.