Question about cold engine startups

[OilPatch197]

When you start your engine on a fairly cold morning, does your oil have a tendancy to stay at the top end?

Reason I asked is I started my truck this morning and shut it off after ten seconds, checked the oil and it was BELOW the add line. Is that normal?

 

[GMWIGGS]

Did you check it immediately or did you wait a couple of minutes? If you checked immediately, I would say its normal. If you checked it after a couple of minutes, not normal. Very cold temperatures can thicken oil up alot.

 

[OilPatch197]

It was synthetic oil and the outside temp was 35 F.

 

[Tedybear]

Depending on any buildup of sludge and deposits it can take upwards of several minutes for the oil to return to the pan. My old sprinter actually had an oil level detector built into the system. But it wouldn't report the oil level until the engine was 'off' for at least two minutes.

If the oil's full on the dippystick first thing in the morning...at the FULL mark. And you start it...shut down after a few moments...and let it sit for a few minutes and it's below the 'add' mark? I'd say there's a chance the oil returns might have a slight blockage.

If it concerns you, best way to finger it out would be to pull a valve cover. That's where you'll see how good/bad any buildup is.

S-

(for what it's worth? 10 seconds is not enough time when cold for oil to drain back...even jiffy lube type shops wait a few minutes before re-checking)

 

[RustedRanger]

Being cold wont make much of a difference with synthectic oil. It is normal for some oil to stay in the top end until it runs back down,which shouldn't take to long with synthetic. If it has a lot of miles it could have some sludge built up that would cause the oil to take longer to flow back to the pan. Plus with the engine being cold the tolerences will be closer in the lifters,pushrods ect and that could cause it to take longer for the oil to drain back. How much did the level drop?

 

[martin]

Simple answer to your question, yes.