Question:
What level should my oil be in my SBD dry sump tank?
Answer:
It is recommended that the bottom of the dry sump tank is level with the bottom of the sump. This is because when a car is stored for any period of time, the oil will automatically drain to the lowest level. It will slowly pass through any gear system over time and the level in the engine and the oil tank will equalize. So if the oil tank is higher than the engine, effectively all the oil will drain into the engine and there will be no oil available to give oil pressure until the scavenge pumps have returned the oil from the engine to the tank. This could obviously create damage if this condition occurs.
Taps or valves should never be used because they can be forgotten and left turned off, they can also create a restriction in the oil flow from the tank.
Filling your dry sump system with oil
Pour oil into the tank until just below the top baffle in the dry sump tank.
Remove the dry sump belt and drive it with an electric drill. For engines which don’t have external oil pumps for oil pressure, remove the spark plugs and crank over until the oil pressure gauge shows a constant pressure. Re-check the oil level in the tank and start the engine. Run the engine for a few minutes, possibly up to full running temperature as you are now going to check the oil’s final level. This allows the oil to fully circulate through the engine, the return oil pipes and oil cooler (if you are running one). Then give the engine a few bursts of acceleration before shutting the engine off, then immediately checking the oil level.* The oil level should now be finally filled to just below the top baffle by approximately 3mm.
Note the amount of oil you have used in total and this will give you an idea of the quantity required if you drain the system down in the future, but this may vary depending on whether the system is completely dry.
*Please note that you can only check or re-check your final oil level after carrying out this final procedure, never check the oil level when the engine has been left standing. Do NOT leave the engine before checking the level, because it will slowly drain into the engine until the oil level balances out with the oil level in the tank and you will over fill it.
Category:
Oil Systems