q45 oil observations

[qship96]

on the 96q,why does the oil level read lower when checking before starting up after sitting overnite vs checking hot after 20 minute shutdown? which is the accurate reading? reads at bottom of hatch marks cold,mid hatch mark warm? also oil looks darker cold vs checking when hot which is very light amber color? oil used is 10w-30 redline synthetic,with 4300 miles,62 days on it-changed every 90 days with 5-6000 miles on it.

[szh]

Physical expansion (of liquids, solids, etc.) when they get hotter?

This is a WAG, of course!

Z

[Jesda]

Useless tidbit:

A lot of folks assume the Northstar V8 consumes oil, only to find that the proper reading for the oil level is when the engine is -hot-.

[DAEDALUS]

A 30*C change in temp gives a ~2% decrease in oil density. Assuming the oil is 3-4" deep in the pan, it's feasible that oil at 180*F will be .2" deeper or more vs. oil at room temp.