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Alfa GT -oil dipstick too HOT??

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dipstick hot
6K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  John182 
#1 ·
Hi guys,

Might have a little problem.

I have been monitoring the temperature of my car ever since it overheated once (due to the radiator pipe coming off).

Anyway, all seems good as the temperature rises to 90 decrees Celsius and remains there. However, something is really worrying me. After driving the car for only hlaf an our or so, i would get out and check the oil. When i take the oil dip stick out - there is definitely some smoke/steam that comes out and the metal stick is extremely hot!!! As in, i cant even touch it! Feels much hotter than say, taking a tea spoon out of boiling cup of water and touching it. Is this normal with the GTs? Can you guys check if this happens on your Alfa GT. The funny thing is that the temperature is at 90 degrees but the smoke/steam coming out of the dip stick hole worries me. Also, i notice on my merc this doesn't happen....
So my temperature gauge could be faulty...


Thanks!
 
#2 ·
I have never seen smoke\steam, even after checking 5 mins after a full run even taking the cap off to top up... Anyways I always check the oil from cold now, there is a marked difference between taking the reading as the handbook indicates (after a few minutes) versus from cold.

I saw in your GT images (same combination!) that you have different exhaust tips, have you fitted a different one?
 
#3 ·
Thanks Aroad.

Man this is what i was afraid of - it just doesn't seem right. But it is still strange how the gauge says 90 degrees?? Where to from now - any suggestions...?


Yup the exhaust system was changed. Just this last piece though - not the catalytic converters. I bought the car second hand like this.
 
#5 ·
The stick will always feel hotter than a teaspoon (something to do with thermal conductivities, fluid medium), yes it's too hot! :) . I have never observed vapours, but I am only about 30m above sea level (Gauteng 1.5km? Maybe not so much to worry about John. Also what oil do you use? I have been using up some Valvoline 10W-60. WHat about the oil colour?
 
#6 ·
Aroad thanks. It could be that i am just being pedantic since the time it overheated EXCESSIVELY. I guess the real question is: could anything have been damaged in the engine that would cause me to start seeing vapours/smoke coming off the dip stick when i pull it out? In all honesty, i have been pulling the stick out immediately after the drive (not even a 5 minute wait).

I know the recommeded oil is 10W60. But when my car overheated one thing i checked was the oil and highest performance oil i could my hands on at that time was 10w50.

You think this is a train smash - might have to replace the oil again then.

Thanks
 
#7 ·
Your water temp might be 90° but the oil will be much hotter after a long hard drive - probably around 130°C+. So the end of the dipstick will be almost as hot as if it'd been cooking in your kitchen oven. Best to let it cool down a bit before checking oil.

If you've had an overheating incident the main thing to look out for is loss of coolant - hopefully the coolant level is holding firm?
 
#8 ·
in both our cars - 1.6 156 and 1.6 vw bora I saw vapour a couple times - thats after checking the second I got home, the dipstick will be very hot, as said above the oil runs much hotter than the water, but the dipstick does cool very quickly.

not sure if that helps
 
#9 ·
Guys thanks - this actually makes sense now that you say oil will be hotter than the 90 degree water temperature. I think the structure of the alfa dipstick (very thick compared toother cors) also plays a part in retaining a lot of heat when pulled out. My coolant level is remaining constant. Will keep monitoring and hope for the best!

cool thanks very much
 
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