[Mk2] [Turbo] Oil level; am I being paranoid

[cvega666]

Does the level of the street on which i check oil level matter a lot ? as in, would some gradient on the street make the oil level vary a lot depending on how car is parked?
Sometimes I can see the oil at high sometimes almost at low, I was getting really worried then noticed that my street is not exactly level.... just wondering how much difference would it make.

[g.lewarne]

depends on the hill mostly. if its really steep it can make a difference, i have seen as much as max to min difference on steep hills. Also depends (of course) how long the engine has been sat before you check it - the longer the better

[cvega666]

Well, it seems that the oil is going somewhere. No smoking or visible leaking from the engine, as a matter of fact, it's very clean underneath. No smoking on boost as far as I can see. Exhaust doesn't smell of oil.. But the oil level was just over low this morning. When firing up the car first thing in the morning, the oil light stays on for about 4-5 seconds then goes out. Where to look ?

[alanmr2turbo]

The oil light on dash for a turbo is not oil level but oil pressure.

If oil fluctuates between low and high on dip stick then nothing much to worry about. You can't lose oil one day then the next day it reads at max.

Not unless you have a little friendly sprite in you engine bay that tops it up for you over night

[cvega666]

well, I'm not sure, but for the peace of mind I check it often and travel with the following in my boot water, forlife, oil and a set of sockets ;P

[mark239]

Well, it seems that the oil is going somewhere. No smoking or visible leaking from the engine, as a matter of fact, it's very clean underneath. No smoking on boost as far as I can see. Exhaust doesn't smell of oil.. But the oil level was just over low this morning. When firing up the car first thing in the morning, the oil light stays on for about 4-5 seconds then goes out. Where to look ?

I would be worried at an oil light that doesn't go out for 5 seconds. Replace the sensor first and foremost.