[8weekly]

I drove my van earlier. It didn't sound quite right. Anyway, the oil light flashed on as I pulled away twice in succession on so tested on dipstick & couldn't see any at all. I've now added 3 litres. Van feels ok and sounds ok but I still can't obviously detect an oil level on the dipstick. It feels dry to the touch too other than a couple of places where it feels like it's catching as it threads through the pipe to the sump. It was last serviced about 8 months and 8,000 miles ago. Anybody any thoughts on how much oil should be in there and whether the oil level should be obvious on the dipstick. Obviously I am totally useless on mechanics.

[slap bash]

I think you will need 2 more liters as it sounds as if it leaked out but fill at ,5 liters at a time and allow it time to drop into the sump. I take it`s a older van, you need to check oil at least every two weeks as it could leak out and damage the motor.

[8weekly]

It 2005. Yes, I will be checking weekly from now on. I reckon I had a close escape!

[benny donnelly]

If the dipstick was bone dry then it needs lot more than 3 litres, Google what is the oil capacity of your engine and fill as per that, do it maybe half litre at a time and check dipstick to get level right otherwise your playing Russian roulette with the engine

[8weekly]

It's now at the minimum level & there is a leak underneath. 

[Matt.]

Was reading down post, ready to suggest getting underneath and seeing if there is fresh oil on there, seals most likely but finding which one is the problem.
Either get it in a garage ASAP or carry a gallon of oil in the van with you until you can get it off the road, last thing you want is engine blowing.

I have blown an engine due to neglecting this type of problem, also blown 2 turbos.............. I suppose it's called living and learning, and thinking ........... I will sort that out tomora, tomora, tomora.......

Get it sorted in the morning or ASAP. Cost in long run will be bigger.

[8weekly]

Yep, will get it looked at ASAP.

[Spruce]

It would be unusual for a leak to suddenly start unless there's a damaged oil pipe or the oil filter wasn't fitted properly when serviced. (Spin on oil filters need to have a smear of oil over the sealing ring before they are screwed on and tightened.)

The actual sump could also leak, They do rust and start to leak oil when they rust through. The drain plug has a copper gasket usually, but even if that did leak it wouldn't be much.

[8weekly]

It would be unusual for a leak to suddenly start unless there's a damaged oil pipe or the oil filter wasn't fitted properly when serviced. (Spin on oil filters need to have a smear of oil over the sealing ring before they are screwed on and tightened.)

The actual sump could also leak, They do rust and start to leak oil when they rust through. The drain plug has a copper gasket usually, but even if that did leak it wouldn't be much.

Presumably as the service was so long ago something not fitted properly could be ruled out?