oil level

[scottishvolvo]

I was informed by a chap that towed me and my 'van off the motorway that when towing only have the engine oil level half way up the dipstick. This was very worrying in that it came from a "qualified mechanic/recovery driver". The reason, he said, was that the oil pressure will be far greater in an engine if it was used for towing.
I doubt very much that anyone here has heard of this.
What are your views on towing with less than the recommended amount of oil in your engine?
Chris

[Madleee]

That's new to me but I am interested to hear more...

Originally Posted by scottishvolvo

I was informed by a chap that towed me and my 'van off the motorway that when towing only have the engine oil level half way up the dipstick. This was very worrying in that it came from a "qualified mechanic/recovery driver". The reason, he said, was that the oil pressure will be far greater in an engine if it was used for towing.
I doubt very much that anyone here has heard of this.
What are your views on towing with less than the recommended amount of oil in your engine?
Chris

sounds complete boloxs to me ,if anything when towing your engine will be working harder and the oil will be possibly hotter than normal, therefore less viscous, which would result in a drop in pressure not a rise , plus having your oil half way down the dipstick is not going to effect oil pressure, (below the dipstick and your risking cavitation under certain conditions, but halfway up?) ,he sounds a complete bull****ter im afraid (ps sorry to hear you and your hutch needed towing of the motorway, hope it didnt cause to much mayhem and misery to innocent road users! )

[LankyTim]

Constant revving on an engine that is full to the top mark can cause the oil to come out of breathers and spray around the engine bay. If you were going up a steep hill and had to hold the car in 1st gear for a long time while applying high revs this could be a problem. The engine oil has to work harder, and therefore gets hotter, expanding and getting thinner and sometimes getting into places it shouldnt. This is only really applies on older engines and ones that are a bit worn out too. Modern engines would not have the same problem I imagine.

[scottishvolvo]

I thought he was talking keech as well. It's no fun at side of m/way with wife, son and dog for about 1 hour. Still car going again after approx £800 in total. Burnt valves were the cause of breakdown.

Originally Posted by scottishvolvo

I thought he was talking keech as well. It's no fun at side of m/way with wife, son and dog for about 1 hour. Still car going again after approx £800 in total. Burnt valves were the cause of breakdown.

burnt valves thats something you dont hear often these days any idea of the cause ?they must have been very bad to cause a breakdown, joking apart glad you got of safe, being stuck on the hard shoulder with kids dog wife etc is no joke

[scottishvolvo]

Chow, Garage that done the repair reckoned it was valve stem seals had been leaking and created a hotspot on one of the valves and it just got worse. I have the worst valve as an expensive souvenir. I will try and post piccy later. The engine has done 160k to be fair
Chris

I reckon it is because the recovery guy's thought process goes like this....

- recovery guy says use less oil =>
- you more likely to break down =>
- recovery guy & his garage gets more business =>
- recover guy gets more money =>
- recover guy expands business and employs more people =>
- recovery guy gets even more money =>
- all his great advice is passed on to all the new recovery guys working for him =>
- go to step 1 and repeat ad infinitum!!!

Pete

[Jod T5]

Originally Posted by peteS40

I reckon it is because the recovery guy's thought process goes like this....

- recovery guy says use less oil =>
- you more likely to break down =>
- recovery guy & his garage gets more business =>
- recover guy gets more money =>
- recover guy expands business and employs more people =>
- recovery guy gets even more money =>
- all his great advice is passed on to all the new recovery guys working for him =>
- go to step 1 and repeat ad infinitum!!!

Pete

lol...pete has anyone ever accused you of being a cynic....i have and i think you may be on the right track there......
cheers
jod

[LankyTim]

lol,

im sure the recovery guy meant slightly less oil than normal, I.E fill to the MIN mark instead of up to the MAX level.

Maybe im not cynical enough?????