ChuckMason
Well-known member
Is it detrimental to the health of my motor to run an oil pan that holds about 1/2 liter less oil?
I am about to replace the stock pan w/ a steel-bottom oil pan from idParts. (https://www.idparts.com/steel-bottom-oil-pan-a4-pr-1746.html)
On some forum it is claimed that this pan holds 1/2 liter less oil. That would be 4 liters, instead of 4.5 liters (w/ oil filter).
Of course, my dipstick is the same. Assuming that it just hangs free in the current oil pan, then in the new oil pan it would reach the 'filled' mark 1/2 liter sooner. I suppose I could add some extra oil, but that might raise oil into areas where the motor wants free air in order to spin, not a bath to get super-churned. I believe that is what is called 'overfilled'.
So, will the oil temperature always be higher (currently, it never budges from 190)? Will less oil get more dirty? And will the oil be generally taxed more, requiring more frequent changes?
'03 Jetta Wagon; 140,000; Pento Sin 5W-40 every 12 months; Los Angeles mild (usually) weather.
Thank you.
