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SteveClv

Active Member

• May 31, 2017

• #1

Is there a way to test for diesel in the oil?
The other day I noticed that the dipstick was reading high - wasn't sure if it was my fault or not so I did a quick drain and refill - the oil in the bucket looked, well just like black engine oil. No film floating on it etc.
When I refilled it with new oil, I left it between Low and High. Then I towed the caravan down to Cornwall and worked it hard (21mpg) and went to check the oil this morning for the return journey and it was up to the High level. Now I am convinced I have leaking O rings.
Drove the caravan back home and went to check the oil level again fearing the worst and it's back to between Low and High (after about an hour after stopping).

I am so confused - don't want to change the O rings unless I need to - so hoping there is a way to detect if diesel is getting into the oil.

On all occasions then truck appeared to be on the flat - certainly not on a slope.

 

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disco me

Active Member

• May 31, 2017

• #2

if you checked oil just after a run it will be lower then after standing due to the oil circulating around the engine so standing = higher reading then just after running
or if your really worried
http://www.theoillab.co.uk/product-category/oil-testing/engine/

 

neilly

Well-Known Member

• May 31, 2017

• #3

Hi Steve,

Have you tried smelling it?

Cheers

 

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SteveClv

Active Member

• May 31, 2017

• #4

neilly said:

Hi Steve,

Have you tried smelling it?

Cheers

Click to expand...

Yes, it smells like oil - doesn't smell of diesel or at least not strongly. I don't have the best sense of smell unfortunately.

 

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iansoady

Active Member

• Jun 1, 2017

• #5

I find the level can vary quite a bit if the car's on a slope front - rear or vice versa. Unfortunately my drive slopes a bit so checking is a bit hit & miss.

As said, testing after the engine has been running is also misleading.

 

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lynall

Well-Known Member

Full Member

• Jun 1, 2017

• #6

Leave on flat ground overnight and check in the morning when stone cold, even a short run time can seriously mess up dip stick readings.

 

Disco1BFG

Well-Known Member

Full Member

• Jun 1, 2017

• #7

lynall said:

Leave on flat ground overnight and check in the morning when stone cold, even a short run time can seriously mess up dip stick readings.

Click to expand...

As above. If you had leaking O rings, then they would probably be leaking all the time the engine was running - and thus your oil level would be rising all the time so to speak...

( this is more trouble than it's worth... but... ) You can dip the oil on a slope, BUT you need to have checked it first on the level, and then you know where it should be..... BUT same applies - leave overnight to drain back into the sump..... then you know where you are, as it were.... If you can park in the same place, on the same slope, and leave overnight again, then you can check your oil with your reference level, rather than LR's....

The few times I've got involved in oil testing it has been quite expensive - Can you borrow someone else's nose ???

 

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Simon098

Active Member

• Jun 2, 2017

• #8

I think if it doesn't smell of diesel, likely that it's not got any diesel in it, just keep and eye on it and see if it goes up anymore

 

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SteveClv

Active Member

• Jun 6, 2017

• #9

Rechecked again where I originally filled it and it's back to where it should be. Seems to be very sensitive to even a slight slope! Thanks all - panic over