Checking Oil Level - Hot or Cold?

Spargett · Post by **Spargett** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 5:29 pm

I seem to hear alot of conflicting info on the subject. My superhawk's manual doesn't mention anything about the state of the engine when checking for proper oil level. Thoughts, experience?

Dgormley · Post by **Dgormley** » Fri Sep 24, 2010 6:29 pm

Scott, I don't think it makes much difference, Hot or Cold, as long as the bike is level and you don't screw the dipstick in. Myself, I always check it cold,before I ride...................................D

e3steve · Post by **e3steve** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 4:37 am

Scott, it only takes half a minute or so for sufficient hot oil to drain from the upper galleries and into the sump to get a reasonable idea of the dip.

Goodysnap · Post by **Goodysnap** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 10:15 am

I think the expansion rate of cold to hot with 2qt. system would barely be noticable. I check cold. If it a little over when hot it wont be enough to cause any troubles. I work on alot of big trucks that hold 40-50qts. If you fill a cold engine on the full mark w/ cold oil it can show up to a gallon overfull when hot.

FluteTears · Post by **FluteTears** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 11:43 am

As to checking the oil level I think ether is good.
But I would like to point out that when changing the oil it should be hot it will drain quicker and have more of the bad stuff as in dirt.

Spargett · Post by **Spargett** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 3:14 pm

Thanks for the clarification small engine's. Goodysnap, what kind of trucks are those? That's alot of oil.

Goodysnap · Post by **Goodysnap** » Mon Sep 27, 2010 5:39 pm

Mostly Class 8 highway tractors. Some other heavy haul specialty use for building supplies and such. Some of the oil filters hold 4-5 qts by themselves. Thankfully I don't have to poor all those qts by hand.