The oil level in the engine is increased: why is this happening. We determine engine oil starvation: causes, signs and consequences Is it possible to drive at a minimum oil level

“The oil level must not be allowed to fall below the minimum, otherwise an overhaul of the engine is inevitable” - such a statement can be found on auto forums. Is it really?

An automobile engine needs oil, like any other mechanism. The oil filled by us is stored in the oil pan, from there the oil pump pumps it and accelerates it under pressure through the engine through the oil receiver and the oil filter. Thanks to the oil film, the friction of engine parts is reduced and their wear is reduced. By the way, the engine has an oil pressure sensor, which is connected to a light on the panel.

According to experts, the oil pressure in the engine is not related to its level in the sump. For comparison: when you drink juice through a straw, you will not feel that when there is less liquid, then you begin to drink less juice. Same story with oil.

The oil receiver is below the min mark on the dipstick. This is done so that even with a minimum oil value, all engine parts are lubricated. Then the question is - is it possible to fill in less oil? The fact is that the manufacturer calculates the oil level in the sump with some margin. This is necessary to overcome descents and ascents, and also so that there is no outflow of oil if the car brakes sharply or turns.

Thus, if you were not going to race or go to the mountains, then you can continue to drive if the oil level drops below the min mark. The main thing is not to let the emergency light come on. You can continue driving if you do not have a canister with you, but add oil as soon as possible.

By the way, do not fill in oil with a margin. The leakage of oil seals is not ruled out, and water hammer may also occur in the crank mechanism.

And remember, if the oil level lamp lights up, it's not scary yet, but when the engine pressure control lamp flashes, it's time to sound the alarm and urgently stop and try to find out what is the reason.

Text: Sergey Mikhailov

Photos from Internet resources

What is the correct engine oil level? Consequences of low/high oil level 4.30 /5 (86.09%) 23 votes

Engine oil level must be constantly monitored with a probe, which is always in the easy access zone. It is constantly located at one end in a sealed hole in the BC, and at the other - in an oil bath.

Are you afraid that you will be deceived in a car service? Click on any of the messengers below to find out 5 easy ways to avoid being scammed 👇

Systematic checks will keep the power unit in constant working order and extend its life. The simple task of checking the level of engine lubrication should be performed by every driver, especially if a long journey is expected.

Is the engine oil level too high/low?

Exceeding or lowering the level of oil fluid leads to big problems that can lead to significant costs and time spent on engine repairs.

What should be the optimum oil level in the engine why a too low / high amount is dangerous, for what reason it is not recommended to operate the car in such a situation, and what could be the consequences if this is the case. As well as how to properly check the level of lubrication and typical mistakes of drivers. Questions that concern any driver.

How to properly check the engine oil level

Only through regular checks is it possible to track whether the level of lubrication in the car engine changes. Engine oil level check determined with a probe protruding from the motor block on one of its sides. It comes out of a sealed hole in the cylinder block, the other end is in the oil bath of the motor crater.

To correctly view the level of lubrication in the engine, strictly observe the following rules:

1. Checking the level of the lubricant is carried out only after 5-10 minutes, if before that it was in operation;
2. The check is carried out when the car is level, not tilted to any side;
3. Control is carried out with a special probe at the “max” and “min” marks;
4. Wipe the dipstick with a clean, lint-free cloth;

Remember! Timely replacement of engine oil will significantly increase the life of the engine.

The procedure for measuring the oil level

Before proceeding with the check, let's get acquainted with the oil dipstick. On it are applied two labels "min" and "max", which indicate the minimum and maximum amount of lubricant, respectively. They are applied in different ways: in the form of inscriptions, dots, stripes. Also on some probes there are marks HOT And COLD. There are situations when the readings on the probe may be unreliable.

How to find out the correct oil level in the engine? Action algorithm:

1. Place the vehicle on a level surface.
2. If the car has been used, wait 10-15 minutes for the oil to drain into the crankcase and the measurement to be correct.
3. Open the hood and remove the oil dipstick. Then wipe it with a cloth and again immerse it in until it stops and wait 2-3 seconds.
4. Remove the dipstick again. Correct engine oil level is considered the one when the mark is marked "min" and "max". The minimum is when the level is at the very border of the minimum. Increased when the level is above the maximum mark.
5. It will not be superfluous to check the quality of the lubricating fluid. It should not have traces of emulsion. Also have a too dark color, which indicates the development of motor fluid, especially if the car has traveled more than 10 thousand km after replacement. In this case, it will be necessary to replace the lubricant and oil filter.

Remember! Level control is carried out only after the second immersion of the probe into the crater.

Common driver mistakes

1. During the test, the car is at an angle.
2. The control is carried out with the engine running.
3. The motor did not have time to cool down, the check is performed immediately after the operation of the vehicle.
4. The dipstick was not rubbed, the original fluid marks remained.
5. The control was carried out immediately after topping up or replacing.

There is no clear answer here. It all depends on the condition of the engine. We recommend checking a must before long trips.

It will never be superfluous if you check it once a week before operating the car, subject to the above rules. In addition, it does not take much time, but it will make it possible to determine the critical level in a timely manner.

How to check oil: on a cold or hot engine?

Is the control performed when the engine is cold or hot? To determine the correct oil level in the engine, you need to clearly know the answer to this question.

It is necessary to check the amount of engine fluid on a cold engine or a warm one, but not earlier than 5-10 minutes after stopping.

Special attention should be paid to checking in winter time. In severe frosts, it freezes slightly and thickens. As a result, the level on the dipstick may decrease.

Besides, some motors provide the ability to control the cold and hot engine. The dipstick will have HOT (hot) and COLD (cold) marks.

Low oil level in the engine

Most drivers think that a low oil value in the engine is not so scary, but practice says the opposite - the consequences can be very serious.

There are few reasons for reducing the level of lubrication, but you need to know them:

• The crankcase has been pierced, due to which the oil may be completely absent
• The engine parts are badly worn out. Because of what the motor consumes more lubricant
• For a long time did not pour
• Broken gasket - level dropped

The more common reason, however, is driver negligence who doesn't take care of his car.

Remember! A low level of engine fluid is unacceptable, and it is between "min" and "max". At critical, the mark will be below "min".

What causes a drop in the level of lubricating fluid

Let's see what consequences this can lead to:

1. Parts wear out, and the crankshaft suffers to a greater extent, for which lubrication is needed in large quantities. As a result, when the oil is too low, the shaft journals begin to run dry. This leads to increased wear on them, as well as on bushings and liners.
2. Twisting of inserts, which as a result can damage the mirror surface of the drive structure. Because of this, the crankshaft can lose hardness or even break. Also, an insufficient amount can lead to an engine wedge.
3. Due to the lack of lubrication, the piston group suffers, which also needs constant lubrication. When the engine is running, the cylinder walls are lubricated with oil. If it is not there, then the rings mounted on the pistons scratch the walls in the cylinders, which leads to boring and.
4. Insufficient lubrication leads to malfunctions of the oil pump. The drive shaft and bearing wear out, and further wedged parts inside the oil pump. The only real solution is to replace it.
5. Wear and tear of metal chips in the engine that enters the cylinder head. This process is already difficult to stop, and it leads to complete wear of the engine.

In addition, it performs another important function - it does not allow the engine to overheat. At a low level, this can cause the cylinder head to bend, the penetration of antifreeze into the cylinders, which will contribute to the destruction of the BC.

Regular level checks will save your car from a major engine overhaul, which can be expensive. Another way out of the situation can be a contract engine, which is also a costly business.

Remember! If you find that the level of the lubricant is below the minimum mark, then vehicle is not allowed!

If you find that the level is too low, you should contact a car service in Moscow to diagnose and inspect the car. Sign up for diagnostics at the phone numbers below or leave a request on the website. Make sure and be sure that your car works properly!

High engine oil level

There is a misconception that the more the better. However, this is misleading. The amount of oil in the engine above the permissible “max” mark can lead to disastrous consequences, which often turn out to be much more serious than those that occur with a low level of lubricating fluid.

The consequences do not appear instantly or are simply often not so noticeable at the initial stage. Often overflow occurs due to incomplete draining of already worn out oil during replacement.

A popular mistake is insufficient warming up of the engine when replacing, before draining, and also that vacuum suction is not always used.

In this case, about 300-500 grams of old grease may remain. Next, fill in a new one in the amount required by the manufacturer.

Many motorists specifically fill in more. All because they think that little means bad, and pour without regret. This opinion has developed among motorists whose engine consumes oil in large quantities or due to leaks.

Because of this, the crankshaft is difficult to rotate. The car picks up speed more slowly, reacts worse to pressing the gas. To compensate for the losses and achieve the usual acceleration, they begin to squeeze the pedal more diligently, as a result of which more fuel is consumed.

What could be the consequences

Excessive amount of lubricant not only increases fuel consumption. Due to the high temperature, the result of an overabundance is an increase in pressure on the rubber seals and other seals.

The performance of the sealing elements decreases over time, oil is leaking. Subsequently, lubrication is consumed to a greater extent, the place under the hood is polluted, and there is also a need to replace oil seals.

What malfunctions does an excessive oil level in the engine lead to:

• Difficulty starting the engine at low temperatures.
• Soot forms, deposits appear in the cylinders
• The load on the oil pump increases and its performance decreases
• It foams, which causes disturbances in the operation of hydraulic lifters
• Smoke intensifies, excess lubricant enters the exhaust system, catalyst becomes contaminated
• Exhaust toxicity increases
• Due to contact with candles and a quick breakdown, the operation of the entire ignition system is disrupted.

If the motor fails, fluids in other systems can enter and mix with the oil. Then the level increases.

In order to determine why the amount of engine oil is increasing, it is necessary to immediately conduct a diagnosis. The easiest way would be to analyze it for viscosity, odor and the presence of impurities.

At the slightest suspicion, go to a car service in Moscow or sign up for diagnostics at the indicated phone numbers, or by leaving a request on the website. The manager will advise you on any issue of interest.

Why do you need to know the amount of oil in the engine

How many liters of engine lubricant is needed for your engine, the driver should know if he replaces the engine fluid on his own. You can find out how much in the instruction manual for your car. Because without such information, you can easily overfill, or not add engine oil.

What to do if you find an overflow of engine oil?

Inexperienced drivers, when changing engine oil on their own, can get into a situation where an overflow has occurred.

Those. when the level on the dipstick is above the mark "max". What to do in this case? How to proceed? Many begin to panic, and someone decides not to worry, because. it still goes away a little over time. But it's better to do the right thing. Equalizing the amount of fluid in the engine is not a difficult task.

1. The easiest way is to use a syringe. Pump out some and check again with a dipstick.
2. The second way is more complicated. You must either drive into the pit, or raise the car on a lift and unscrew the drain plug slightly to drain the excess. Drain, tighten the plug and again check if the oil level in the engine is correct.

Good day, dear friends! We will not dispute the simple indisputable truth that how we monitor the condition of the engine of our car will depend on its service life, as well as potential repair and restoration costs. Let's take a simple example - when there is little oil in the engine, it wears out faster, and at any moment the valve can knock, rings lie down, and so on. What else this can lead to, and how not to make problems for ourselves, we'll talk further.

So, the key factors that can cause oil starvation are the following:

1. insufficient lubrication level in the power unit system;
2. old oil that has not been changed for a long time;
3. clogged wall of the oil receiver or the oil filter itself;
4. clogged channels;
5. failure of the pressure reducing valve in the pump.

The simplest thing you can do to avoid problems is to look into the engine compartment in a timely manner and periodically. At any fine moment, it may turn out that it is not enough, it does not enter the oil receiver and does not reach many important engine parts. If you simply did not change it for a long time, then it does not just lose its useful qualities. Over time, dirt forms in it, which is deposited on the walls in the cylinders. That is why the average indicator of the need for replacement is considered to be a mileage of 10 thousand kilometers.

Now about the oil filter, and what are the signs of starvation. This spare part includes a housing and a paper filter element. After the ingress of dirt particles, it becomes clogged, which leads to a decrease in its throughput. This negatively affects the operation of the pressure reducing valve, which is designed to relieve excess pressure. In case of jamming, it will occur, which will lead to starvation of the engine.

Not only the filter can become clogged, but also the oil channels, especially those located in the crankshaft. Because of this, the connecting rod bearings lack lubrication. A number of modern vehicles are equipped today with a protection system that ensures that the lubrication is at least a minimum. An alarm indicator and an audible alarm help to detect the problem. Even if this does not lead to jamming of the camshaft or crankshaft, then in any case to their accelerated wear. To do this, it is recommended to open the hood at least once a week and check the level in the system.

What symptoms to pay attention to

What is harmful underfilling or overflowing oil? Its lack can easily lead to the failure of a number of engine nodes. Imagine a negligent motorist who forgets to change the lubricant in the system on time. Gradually, it becomes overgrown with dirt particles that clog the oil pipeline and channels. What does this lead to, you ask? To difficult access to other motor components.

The oil pump is responsible for getting oil into the system, which pushes it through the filter element and brings it to all the main parts. If the lubricant is old and the channels are clogged, then blockages form, causing starvation. In a word, untimely replacement leads to the fact that instead of being useful, the lubricant begins to gradually destroy engine parts. These are the main symptoms that should be given priority.

Will an excess of oil in the system help - the main dangers

It would seem that if we talked so much about starvation, then you can try to fill in the lubricant in excess of the norm, focusing on the fact that its level will gradually decrease. In other words, filled with a margin and you can not look under the hood for at least a few months. Often this happens due to banal inattention.

However, the volume of lubricant is not in vain fixed by the manufacturer. As soon as it is in excess, it begins to put pressure on various sealing elements and subsequently causes their deformation. In addition, it fills even those parts that should not be lubricated. It mixes with air and enters the hydraulic lifters, causing the engine to knock / tap. Their failure will result in significant replacement and repair costs for the owner, and broken hydraulic lifters can cause damage to nearby parts.

The easiest way to detect this is to use the readings of the same measuring probe. If there is an overflow, find the nearest hole or just drive up to the overpass. Carefully unscrew the drain hole and substitute any unnecessary container under the crankcase. After approximately the amount of lubricant required by eye is drained from the engine, check the level again.

Reliable operation of the engine is directly related to the amount of oil in its crankcase. To determine the volume of consumables in each car there is a special probe with a pair of notches. They show the minimum and maximum of the engine fluid (it is necessary to check it no earlier than 10 minutes after the engine has stopped). The difference between these marks is approximately 1 liter. It is considered normal if the oil level is between these notches for any car: Ford, Opel or KAMAZ - it doesn’t matter. Most car owners are probably aware of the consequences of a lack of oil in the engine: in the end, this threatens to overhaul. But what happens if the engine oil level is above normal?

The main causes of overflow

When replacing engine fluid, you should ask the manufacturer's recommendations for volume in order to prevent overflow. The value will be averaged: it all depends on how completely the old grease was drained. But in any case, following the instructions of the factory, you will keep the amount of oil within the required limits. Overflow reasons:

• oil change on a cold engine: after warming up, as is known from the school physics course, bodies expand and the level of motor fluid will jump;
• topping up consumables when the machine is standing on an uneven place with a slope back or sideways;
• pouring motor fluid from an excessively large container: you can simply not calculate the required amount, especially if there are no marks on the canister;
• elementary inattention;
• lack of tightness of the gas pump gasket: as a result, the oil mixes with the fuel, and the lubrication level rises above the norm. It's easy to check: sniff the dipstick, and if you smell fuel, fix the problem.

Another reason for increased pressure in the system is the use of oil that does not correspond to the season. For example, if winter material is used in summer, at extremely low temperatures, volume expansion due to the reduced oil viscosity is quite possible.

What happens if you fill the oil above the level

One of the main consequences is the deformation of sealing elements: seals, gaskets. If the oil is filled in excess of the norm, leaks occur, and the consumption of motor fluid increases: you will have to constantly add it, and if you miss this moment, the pressure in the engine lubrication system will become less than normal, which will lead to premature wear of the motor. Also overflow is one of. But these are not the only consequences, there are others.

Bay of candles

With an excess of pressure in the engine after an oil overflow, at some point, it is pulsed into the chamber: it is formed. As a result, starting the engine becomes more difficult, it loses its power, fuel consumption increases. A similar development of events is true for both the Volkswagen Tuareg and the Russian Prior.

Foaming oil

With its excess, the crankshaft literally begins to sink in the lubricant, foaming it. This leads to the appearance of an inhomogeneous mass and the formation of air bubbles. They begin to fill with hydraulic lifters, because of which the work of these elements loses stability. As a result, the load on other parts of the gas distribution mechanism increases, which fail before their service life.

Problems in the engine lubrication system

The first one begins to "suffer", which gets dirty very quickly. This is due to the fact that air bubbles lift dirt from the bottom of the crankcase and spread it, like a virus, throughout the car's lubrication system.

However, this cannot be called a serious problem: we are talking about a consumable item, which is still put in a new one at the next replacement of engine fluid. Much more dangerous is the accelerated wear of the oil pump gears: a large amount of liquid pumped by it quickly reduces its working life. And the cost of the device, especially for foreign cars, is very significant.

Formation of excessively toxic exhaust gases

The smoke will be black and have a strong smell of burnt oil. It turns out a "cocktail" that is extremely harmful to human health, especially if diesel smokes. Therefore, if you already know that the oil level is high, and you need to go, warm up the engine in an open garage.

Also, a large amount of oil leads to gradual clogging of the muffler and its rapid wear (this is facilitated by deposits formed during the combustion of oil inside the pipes of the exhaust system).

High mileage car risks

New units and assemblies will “survive stress” with lesser consequences, but for an old car - Nissan, BMW, Ford Focus, Opel Astra and any other passenger car, it can be more and more serious, because worn parts react more sharply to an emergency situation: the engine will “approach” the overhaul at an accelerated pace.

Poured oil into the engine: what to do

The answer is obvious: you need to get rid of the excess amount of consumables. It is immediately worth noting that it is not recommended to wait until it burns out naturally. It is better to remove the excess yourself. But how?

Method one

Warm up the engine and drive the car onto a flyover or inspection hole (you can also use a lift). Further:

• unscrew the cap from the oil filler neck;
• unscrew the drain plug and drain excess liquid into the pre-placed vessel;
• quickly screw the cork back;
• check the oil level with a dipstick and add it if necessary or repeat the procedure;
• check the level again.

This method is most often resorted to when there is little time or in the event that the oil begins to foam, which can be determined by the dipstick. It makes sense to drain the lubricant in this way when it is fresh. If the car has traveled 6-7 thousand km, it is more expedient to simply change the composition along with the filter. The minus of the method: the work, frankly, is not clean, besides, oil losses are possible, since it is drained “by eye”. Therefore, many prefer to get rid of excess material in a different way.

Method two

You will need a thin tube (for example, from a dropper) and a disposable medical syringe of the same diameter. Warm up the engine before draining. Action algorithm:

• remove the cap from the oil filler neck;
• pull out the probe and insert the tube into the freed hole;
• connect a syringe to its second end;

• pull out its piston, disconnect from the tube and drain the excess into the prepared container;
• check the oil level and repeat the procedure if necessary.

The method is accurate and accurate: you can extract exactly as much liquid as it was poured. The only negative is that if the overflow was serious, it will take a long time to remove the excess.

Method three

Suitable for VAZ, if you pour oil in a small amount: for example, 200-300 grams. In this case, simply unscrew the oil filter and pour out the excess. Put the element in place and check the level: it should be normal. There is another method similar to the second; only here the mouth is used instead of a syringe. With a certain experience, this is possible, but, as the people say, this is not for everybody.

How to check the oil level correctly

This seemingly simple operation has its own nuances. First, prepare a clean rag. Now about the need to warm up the engine: even experienced craftsmen argue about this: some say that you need to check for “cold”, others for “hot”. Both sides are relatively right: when the motor heats up, the amount of lubricant increases, and vice versa. Based on this, some automakers make two marks on the dipstick HOT (hot) and COLD (cold). Course of action:

• put the car on a flat horizontal platform (to check, switch the speed to “neutral” and release the handbrake: the car must stand still);
• turn off the engine and wait 10 minutes for the liquid to glass into the sump;
• pull out the dipstick, wipe it with a rag and reinsert it into the socket;
• remove the "meter" again and check the level.

Learn more about the process in the video.

About the role of oil in the engine

Previously, it was already found out that in a motor filled with oil, all its characteristics will deteriorate. The fact is that the greatest effect of the lubricant is observed when it is on the surface of the "piece of iron", and not in the case of a complete immersion of the assembly or part into it. Excess oil clogs the channels and a paradox is obtained that contradicts the well-known proverb “you can’t spoil porridge with oil”. The more it is, the less it goes to the crankshaft bearings, which causes rapid wear of the part. Here you go. In order not to get into trouble, it is best to follow the manufacturer's instructions and pour in as much engine oil as required: no more and no less. It does not matter what kind of car you have: a powerful truck with a YaMZ engine or a modest Chevrolet.

Simple and insignificant at first glance, the procedure for checking the engine oil level is actually more than a formality. This procedure will help not only to pay attention to a possible engine breakdown in time and prevent it. Regular checking of the level can give an experienced driver a lot of useful information about the condition of the car and plan the necessary work. Below you will learn about all the features of oil level control, the causes and consequences of increasing or decreasing its level, as well as how to properly add oil to the engine of your "iron horse".

How much oil should be in the engine according to the standards

Let's start with the simplest question, how much oil, according to the norms, can be in the engine? A wise driver knows that any fluid or lubricant in a car should be in moderation. If you overfill or, conversely, underfill something at your own discretion, it will not be better, everything must be filled in exactly as indicated in the manual for a particular car. Especially if we are talking about the engine - the "heart" of any car. So, if the manual states that the volume of oil in the engine should be 3.75 liters, then this is how much it needs to be filled in with small nuances, which we will discuss below.

Before moving on to the technical details, let's define in what cases is it necessary to check the oil level?

1. After a certain number of kilometers travelled. Usually, the manufacturer gives his recommendations for each specific car model, but it will be good if the driver checks the level at least once every 1-2 thousand km.
2. After a certain amount of time. For example, once a week, even if the car worked a little and the mileage is very small. There may be oil leaks through seals, gaskets, hose joints.
3. before long trips.
4. Before starting the operation of the car after the purchase "from hand" or after a long period of inactivity.
5. If you have even the slightest doubt about the correct operation of the engine: new sounds appeared (whistling, something taps), a strange smell appeared in the exhaust gases or they changed color, the engine thrust changed, there are problems with oil pressure, other symptoms appeared.
6. When the coolant level suddenly changes.
7. And, of course, it is necessary to carry out control measurements if, after parking, you drove a couple of meters and saw that a characteristic oil puddle or just a few drops of oil had formed under the car.

It should also be noted that the greater the mileage of the car and the greater its age, the more often this indicator needs to be measured.

Do-it-yourself check: how to measure with a probe

So, we decided how much oil should be in the engine and in what cases it needs to be checked. Now let's talk about the features of self-checking the level. Before the process, it is necessary to warm up the engine and put the car on a flat horizontal surface for a more correct measurement. Stop the engine, wait 5-10 minutes - during this time the oil will drain into the crankcase. Then remove the dipstick from the engine (usually it is located next to the engine block, the location for a particular vehicle must be clarified in the manual before work), carefully wipe it with a clean rag from oil residue and reinsert it all the way into the engine hole. After a couple of seconds, you can pull it out and visually determine the oil level. It should be higher than the MIN risks, but lower than the MAX risks (these risks are not always signed, they mean the minimum and maximum allowable oil levels), preferably closer to the middle.

This photo shows what the dipstick will look like with a normal oil level.

Attention! Do not check the oil level with the engine running. Firstly, it is not safe, and secondly, this way you will not get the correct result, because after stopping the engine, you need to give the oil time to drain from the cylinder walls into the crankcase, only after that you can start measuring. Also, do not check the level on a completely cold engine, especially at a negative temperature outside, this can also give an incorrect result.

Similarly, you can check the oil level on any engine, be it petrol or diesel, boxer or V-twin.

How to check: Subaru measurement video

Oil level sensor

Above, we talked about controlling the oil level with a dipstick. However, the driver has another way to follow him. It does not replace the need for regular visual level checks using a dipstick, but complements it. In addition, he is always in front of your eyes. This is an electrical oil level sensor. It allows the driver to monitor the oil level in real time by signals while the vehicle is moving. The sensor indicator is displayed on the instrument panel and immediately alerts the driver if the oil level is low. It is necessary to constantly pay attention to the indication of this device, and if it works, stop moving, turn off the engine and check the oil level using a dipstick.

The principle of operation of the sensor is extremely simple: the mechanism looks like a reed switch with contacts open in the normal state (when they are completely in engine oil). In this case, the oil indicator does not light up. But if the oil level suddenly drops, then the sensor contacts close and the indicator light on the instrument panel lights up.

This is what the sensor looks like for some BMW models

However, like any electrical part of a car, sooner or later the oil level sensor fails. Therefore, if suddenly the icon on the dashboard lights up for no reason or, conversely, stops burning, it is recommended to check and, if necessary, replace the electronic sensor (especially when the dipstick shows a normal oil level). Moreover, this is a simple procedure that does not require special skills or tools.

1. Disconnect the power cable from the sensor.
2. We unscrew the sensor using a wrench of the desired size.
3. Please note that the sensor is removed together with the sealing ring, it must also be replaced.
4. We carefully screw in the new sensor with a new sealing ring, observing the tightening torque so as not to strip the thread during installation.
5. We connect the wire in place, cleaning the contacts if necessary.

If the value is above the maximum

What if the check showed that the oil level is above the maximum? If the level is not exceeded by much, then the only reason is the overflow of oil during its replacement (for example, 4 liters were poured instead of 3.75 according to the instructions). In this case, you should not worry, but you should not start operating the car with an excessively high oil level, otherwise excess fluid may begin to be squeezed out of the oil seals and gaskets, which will inevitably lead to their failure and require replacement, that is, the service life will decrease artificially. Also, excess oil will enter the crankcase ventilation system and cylinders, and excess lubricant in the exhaust gases will inevitably disable the expensive catalytic converter over time.

Therefore, if the oil level is exceeded, do not be lazy and drain the excess through the engine drain plug or remove it with a syringe through the dipstick hole, after putting a flexible tube of a suitable diameter on it (for example, from a dropper).

In case of a large overflow, unscrew the plug and pour the excess through the drain hole

Double oil level

It is much worse if the check showed a double (1.5 and above) oil level. This means that in front of you on the dipstick is no longer pure oil, but a mixture of oil with coolant (coolant: antifreeze or antifreeze) or fuel - there is nowhere else for it to rise. This happens for various reasons:

• Damage (burning) of the cylinder head gasket (cylinder head), which is why the coolant enters the oil. Gasket burnout is more common on worn engines; engines that were operated "at the limit"; when the engine overheats; when using low-quality coolant, which turns into ice in winter; when the driver adds cold coolant to hot.
• Cracks or microcracks directly in the cylinder head, as a result, mixing coolant and lubricant can be done without difficulty. The reasons are similar.
• Damage to the diaphragm of the fuel pump, as a result, the ingress of fuel into the oil. The reasons are the use of low-quality fuel, which has a detrimental effect on the diaphragms of the fuel pump; fuel pump wear.
• Incorrect carburetor settings (too high level of gasoline in the float chamber) or breakdown of the injector nozzles (do not close hermetically), the result is known - fuel getting into the oil. It is necessary to regularly check and adjust the carburetor, including the fuel level in the float chamber. In the case of an injection engine, regular checks, cleaning and, if necessary, replacement of nozzles.

If you notice a suddenly doubled oil level, the car is strictly forbidden to operate! He already needs quite expensive repairs, but if you continue to operate, then after a maximum of 100–200 kilometers the engine may “jam”. This will happen because the oil will no longer perform its main functions, scoring will begin to appear on the walls of the cylinders, and this will soon lead to jamming of the pistons. In this case, it will not be possible to avoid a major overhaul or, in the worst case, an engine replacement.

Often, the ingress of coolant into the oil can be determined visually:

When coolant enters the oil, its color and consistency change.

The best thing you can do in this case is to deliver the car to a trusted service for repair, since self-repair in such cases is difficult or impossible without specialized tools, equipment and knowledge. The cylinder head gasket will need to be replaced, possibly grinding and welding or replacing the cylinder head itself. In the best case - repair or replacement of the carburetor / injectors. In any case, after the repair, it will be necessary to completely change the oil and oil filter.

Low or no lubrication

There are two main causes of low oil levels: burnout and a leak in the oil system.

In general, waste is a completely natural process and within certain limits it is acceptable. The oil film, lubricating the cylinder walls, heats up and burns out. For modern engines, oil waste is considered acceptable if it ranges from 0.1% to 0.3% of fuel consumption for gasoline engines and rises from 0.8% to 3% for diesel engines. For example, if your gasoline engine “eats” 10 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers, then an oil burn of 30 ml per 100 km or 300 ml per 1000 km will be acceptable. Naturally, these are average numbers, a lot depends on the engine size (for V6 or V8 engines, the burnout will be greater), design (some engine models burn quite a lot of oil and the manufacturer considers this to be absolutely normal), operating conditions and driving style (constant driving at high speeds increases oil burnout), engine age (over time, oil burnout will increase).

So if the pointer does not drop too fast (as a rule, the distance between the risks on the dipstick corresponds to about one liter of oil), then you should not worry, just add the same oil to the engine in time to the required level (synthetics, semi-synthetics or mineral water, depending on the manufacturer's instructions).

The older the car, the more likely it is to eat oil.

If the oil burnout already exceeds reasonable limits, you should think about repairing the engine with preliminary diagnostics (see table).

The second reason for a low oil level is a violation of the tightness of the oil system, in other words, an oil leak. It is necessary to periodically inspect the engine from all sides to notice an oil leak. Usually, oil begins to flow through gaskets, seals, hose joints. Naturally, leaks are easier to detect on a clean engine, so keeping the engine clean is not just a whim. However, not every leak can be noticed without placing the car in the pit or even without a special tool. Therefore, if you suspect a leak in the oil system (for example, drops of oil on the pavement under the car after parking), it is better to contact a professional master.

Here is a table that allows the driver to roughly understand the reason for the sharp decrease in the oil level, however, the final decision on the need and type of repair should be made by a professional.

Table: Causes of Problems and Solutions

Reason for level decrease	Possible Solution
Leak through crankshaft and camshaft seals	Replace seals with new ones
Leak through head gasket	Check the alignment of the cylinder head and cylinder block. If necessary, grind the head or block. In any case, replace the gasket with a new one, preferably the original one. Tighten the head bolts to the correct torque and in the correct sequence.
Leakage through valve stem seals	Replace caps
Leaking through the oil filter gasket	Carefully tighten the filter, observing the tightening torque
Wear of oil scraper piston rings
Piston ring overheating	Replacement of oil scraper rings, engine repair
Piston ring sticking	Clean the rings using special chemicals, change the oil
Destruction of interring jumpers of the piston	Engine repair
Cylinder wear	Engine repair
Cylinder deformation	Tighten the bolts to the specified torque in the correct sequence. Replace rings with better ones
Increased oil viscosity	Change the oil to a less viscous one (recommended by the engine manufacturer)
Poor quality oil	Replace with quality oil
Lubrication loss of turbocharger bearings	natural expense. If the loss is too great, repair or replace the turbocharger
Late combustion of fuel	Set the correct ignition timing. Use high-quality fuel with the required octane rating according to the instructions
Operation in adverse conditions	Do not overload the engine

How to top up

It is not difficult to add oil to the engine correctly, you just need to remember a few points:

• It is allowed to top up and use only oil recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
• When topping up oil, it is strongly not recommended to top up with a substance that differs from the one already filled. This can be done only as a last resort, when you have a choice either to drive without oil at all, or to add another one that is different from the one already filled in the engine. In this case, it is necessary to add the most similar oil by type (mineral, synthetic or semi-synthetic) and viscosity. And as soon as possible, perform a complete oil change and oil filter with flushing.
• It is necessary to add oil in small portions so as not to exceed the maximum allowable level. After pouring each portion after a few minutes, check the oil level on the dipstick.
• It is advisable to add oil on a warm engine (starting and cooling for 5–6 minutes), so that the oil level on the dipstick is either in the middle of the MIN and MAX marks, or a little closer to MAX.

To add oil, unscrew the oil filler cap on the engine and, using a funnel, add the required amount of oil.

As you can see, checking the oil level regularly is a must, whether you have a new SUV or a well-worn truck. Monitoring the indicator will prevent major engine breakdowns, extend its service life, tell you what led to knocking or even to an emergency condition. Look more often at the oil level in the engine, add quality if necessary, and the engine will reciprocate!