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SR8 oil change and engine breather system

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Jason Stables
(@jase)
Active Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 12
Topic starter  

hi all

new to radical and SR8 so learning as I go, plenty (to many) years in tin tops of all types, I decided I wanted to go faster and ended up buying an SR8, and so the re leaning begins 

A question (very newbie question) 

is there a “correct” oil drain point / procedure for RPE V8 engine? previous owner said remove lower oil lines, (line from side of oil tank to oil pump and from oil pump to heat exchanger, I’ve just done this after it’s second shakedown / driver shakedown session  and while I got quite a bit of oil i’m sure I left a litre or 2 (quart or 2 for you Americans) I’m sytem, refillled with fresh oil fired up and my brand new clean oil looks “used” confirming my suspicions 

2nd question my engine “weeps” oil, am told (again by previous owner) is common, engine is “wet” in a few places, I’ve cleaned but it comes back, it is just enough to leave a couple of wet spots on the undertray, looking at the oil system it appears to be a closed sealed system?? Engine and oil tank return to catch tank, but there is no breaher on the oil catch tank ?  Is this normal?  I’ve never seen a completely “sealed” sytem on any engine before?  Breathers Back to catch tank sure, but normally catch tank has some sort of breather, Surely a vented system would put less stain on all the engine gaskets and seals as engine will pressurise when it’s running 

Any feedback appreciated 

thanks

Jase 

chassis 0121


   
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John Parsons
(@parsonsj)
Prominent Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 626
 
Posted by: @jase

hi all

new to radical and SR8 so learning as I go, plenty (to many) years in tin tops of all types, I decided I wanted to go faster and ended up buying an SR8, and so the re leaning begins 

A question (very newbie question) 

is there a “correct” oil drain point / procedure for RPE V8 engine? previous owner said remove lower oil lines, (line from side of oil tank to oil pump and from oil pump to heat exchanger, I’ve just done this after it’s second shakedown / driver shakedown session  and while I got quite a bit of oil i’m sure I left a litre or 2 (quart or 2 for you Americans) I’m sytem, refillled with fresh oil fired up and my brand new clean oil looks “used” confirming my suspicions 

2nd question my engine “weeps” oil, am told (again by previous owner) is common, engine is “wet” in a few places, I’ve cleaned but it comes back, it is just enough to leave a couple of wet spots on the undertray, looking at the oil system it appears to be a closed sealed system?? Engine and oil tank return to catch tank, but there is no breaher on the oil catch tank ?  Is this normal?  I’ve never seen a completely “sealed” sytem on any engine before?  Breathers Back to catch tank sure, but normally catch tank has some sort of breather, Surely a vented system would put less stain on all the engine gaskets and seals as engine will pressurise when it’s running 

Any feedback appreciated 

thanks

Jase 

chassis 0121

Hi Jase! Welcome to the best Radical forum on the planet! I've a pair of SR8s, a 2007 and a 2009.

Answers:

1. The official drain point is the tank drain just behind the left rear drivetrain mount. It's an ordinary drain plug with a magnetic pickup. To get more oil from the engine, remove the 4 plugs on the very bottom of the engine (they are usually safety wired together) and the oil filter. You might still miss a liter of oil or so, but you'll get a lot more oil out that way. You shouldn't be removing oil lines.

2. The dry sump system is designed to generate significant vacuum (up to 50 kPa) to pull oil out of the engine and back to the tank and on to the pressure pump when running. Adding a breather will defeat that whole idea.

Bonus answer: to combine answers 1 and 2, start the engine and let it warm a bit, then run it at 5000 rpm for 15-20 seconds. That will vacuum much of the "loose" oil from the engine and into the oil tank. Drain the tank immediately to get the most oil out. 

Hope that helps! Good luck with your SR8.

 

 


   
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Jason Stables
(@jase)
Active Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 12
Topic starter  

Thanks John

understand the dry sump system, turns out I was wrong thinking it was a sealed system, the catch tank is “open” it’s got a breather on the front side, I couldn’t see with the angle of the tank but I can feel it 

I’m happier now that I know it can breathe

Also found the drain point 👍  easier to see with open eyes 

thanks

jase  


   
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Dan Phillips
(@rlm-dan)
Reputable Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 262
 

As you say the SR8 does have a breather from the swirl pot to the catch tank so it is not sealed.

1

John has the oil changed info sorted for you, just watch those 4x 10mm headed bolts if it is an early engine they are known for stripping the threads, later engines have a timesert fitted as standard.

With regards to oil leaks the later engines shouldnt be too bad, earlier ones would often have small leaks from o-rings etc. Updates to parts resolved most of this.


   
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John Parsons
(@parsonsj)
Prominent Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 626
 

Thanks for keeping me straight Dan!


   
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