GulfSeven Posted April 6, 2021 Share Posted April 6, 2021 My 310R is about to go in for its first annual service in two weeks time.After a year and 1,300 miles I've checked all the fluids and I'd say the oil and coolant are both approximately on min, and there's about half a centimetre of oil in the bottom of the catch tank.The car went for it's end of run-in 'service' at 750 miles, so the oil and coolant would have been on max after that. I did recently notice a small pool of coolant under one of the heater hoses by the airbox but tightening the jubilee clip stopped that and it really wasn't much.Obviously the oil will be changed and the coolant topped up in the annual service, but do those levels sound fairly normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GulfSeven Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share Posted April 10, 2021 And is it okay to drive around with it on min given that it'll all get topped up in just over a week or is it more critical than that? The manual states that both should be on max at all times... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 Wet or dry sump? When are you checking the oil level and how?As for the coolant is it due to be changed? If not then it seems a no brainer to just top it up rather than pay someone to do such a simple task. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GulfSeven Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share Posted April 10, 2021 Wet sump - standard 310R. I'm checking the oil level as per the manual - with the engine up to temperature.I don't currently have any spare coolant or oil here but could buy some fo course. My question really is whether that's necessary given that the oil will be changed and the coolant topped up as part of the service next week anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Piers300 Posted April 10, 2021 Area Representative Share Posted April 10, 2021 I am sure most 7 owners have oil and coolant in their garage, so they can top up when needed. I suggest you buy some and make sure that you get the correct coolant and oil from either CC or Redline. In your situation, the car is about to be serviced and drained of oil and coolant, so I understand your dilemma. However, in my opinion, the levels on both oil and coolant should always be checked and topped up to the correct level before you venture out onto the road.Piers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadsport06 Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 Your coolant can be topped up with water if it is just on min. As for the oil, I wouldn't be certain it was on max from the service. I'm only certain mine is on max after a service as I do it and I don't rush through the work. I would have bottle anyway to top up between servicing. After your car is serviced then check it, you can then see what your car uses to give you an idea of how regularly you'll need to service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GulfSeven Posted April 10, 2021 Author Share Posted April 10, 2021 I'm assuming it came new from the factory with the Motul oil and coolant specified on the side of the pedal box.So I've ordered top-up bottles of both Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadsport06 Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 I honestly wouldn't get top up coolant. If you are on min then you just need a small amount of water added. Motul is just the tie in that Caterham have. Get yourself a proper sized bottle of engine oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted April 10, 2021 Share Posted April 10, 2021 Yes, the motel thing means nothing, it's just the latest in a line of approved suppliers who CC makes a deal with. I wouldn't top up with water, because it's so cheap and simple to top up with ready mixed coolant and then you know what it's strength is. They won't change the coolant until 5 years it'll just get topped up.I wouldn't have worried about the oil unless you have a long way to drive but it's all academic now if you've ordered top ups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 I'd top up the coolant but leave the oil. If its getting serviced they will drop the oil anyway so your 'new' top up will be dumped! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GulfSeven Posted April 11, 2021 Author Share Posted April 11, 2021 That's my plan. I'll take another oil level measurement after the next drive to make sure I'm not underestimating the level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GulfSeven Posted April 15, 2021 Author Share Posted April 15, 2021 250ml of Motul Inugel Optimal went into the coolant tank today to take it back up to max. Hopefully with all the jubilee clips tight again it'll stay there. I'm pretty sure it only went down over the winter when the car wasn't being used anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GulfSeven Posted April 17, 2021 Author Share Posted April 17, 2021 And I took the oil level again this morning after a drive...If I'm honest, it's pretty difficult to see the level when it's hot and the oil is still quite clean, but I'm not convinced it's actually much less than max. According to the manual, the difference between min and max is about 0.5l, and there's got to only be about 150ml in the oil catch tank.It's all being changed on Wednesday anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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