I changed my Delvac today because I just finished adjusting the balancer chain, and when I got 8 miles out of town I checked the oil and found it to be on the lower mark on the dipstick, so I went to a parts store that was just next door and bought a quart of Rotella T 15w40 and added a little less than half a quart. Do you think I did any damage to the engine running it on the lower mark for 8 miles?
Running on the lower dipstick mark
- Thread starter Scoot_4_20
- Start date
- Status
Glad to hear it. I tended to think it would be OK. I added 2.5 quarts of fresh Delvac (which is what my bike calls for in general oil change) that must have been good for something.
It took a little more this oil change because I lost the oil out of the gearbox, etc., when I did the balancer chain.
My first car was a 1975 T-bird. I added oil only when the lifters started ticking. Usually added 2-3 quarts to bring it up to 'hot' mark. Never left me stranded. But then again, I was 16 and had a beast with a 460 under the hood.
Last edited:
FWIW, I recall reading how running the oil level low (obviously not too low) on a wet sump four-stroke actually helps improve engine performance (albeit slightly) by reducing pumping losses (essentially creating a larger vacant volume in the sump so the rise and fall in pressure caused by the motion of the pistons is lessened).
Last edited:
Absolutely not.... you could run it forever on the lower mark.
It is when you can't see the oil on the dip stick that you
should start worrying !! (chuckle....)
It is when you can't see the oil on the dip stick that you
should start worrying !! (chuckle....)
- Status
