Maintenance advice!!

by **x-Sonia-x** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:05 pm

Ok, well the car was cold and sitting out on the road since this morning. I am good at regularly checking the levels. Ive had the car since last May and ave never needed to top up the oil. But it used to be really dirty and sludgy....and the mechanic said I had the wrong oil in it and it was a nightmare to change! He gave me what was left in the bottle when it was serviced...so I can use that...and thanks I thought the dipstick hole was a bit thin and narrow :lol:

...just have to watch over the next few weeks I suppose

by **GJD** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:29 pm

x-Sonia-x wrote:Ive just cleaned me car, checked all the levels and noticed me oil is at minimum. Ive only had it serviced a couple of months ago

I have heard it suggested that shortly after a service is a very worthwhile point to check the oil level. During a service is the one time somebody deliberately creates holes for the oil to get out

and there's always a chance that the holes might not quite get plugged properly afterwards.

by **x-Sonia-x** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 2:36 pm

GJD wrote:During a service is the one time somebody deliberately creates holes for the oil to get out

my own thinking was that the oil that was in my car was thick and sludgy, now it has thinner oil mayber theres a leak somewhere :shock:

....prey there isnt as its due the MOT in two weeks :twisted:

by **GJD** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:12 pm

x-Sonia-x wrote:prey there isnt as its due the MOT in two weeks

Might be worth checking with your MoT tester whether they think a minor [*] oil leak would be a likely fail. I don't see anything in the MoT Testers Manual to say it would, but I'm not an MoT expert. Could save a couple of weeks of unnecessary worrying about the MoT itself.

[*] From what you've said, I'm assuming that if you do have a leak, it's only minor - i.e. the level gradually dropping down the dipstick over days or a few weeks, rather than a puddle of oil under the car and warning lights coming on.

by **x-Sonia-x** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:38 pm

GJD wrote:the level gradually dropping down the dipstick over days or a few weeks, rather than a puddle of oil under the car and warning lights coming on.

i havent checked the oil for few weeks :oops:

...maybe 3...it was then near maximum...but there isnt any sign of any oil on me driveway or where I park the car infront of me house

I dont want to mention it unless i have to to the garage...in case they say they need to investigate :twisted:

...I think I will top it up in a while then check in a couple of days to see if theres any change?

by **Mr Cholmondeley-Warner** » Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:39 pm

Just to reiterate what ScoobyChris said, check the level again when you're sure the car is on level ground and the engine has had time to cool down. There should be an oil filler cap right on the top of the engine. I'm not sure what engine your car has, but here are a couple of examples:

Oil filler slightly below and to the left of the red and silver Citroen badge.

Oil filler right in the middle.

Hopefully you get the idea...