Checking engine oil level

[RacinRob]

Quick question about checking the oil level in my 2007 Transit 110-260.
Bought the van a few weeks back.
Checked the oil the following day, first thing on a cold engine and it was sitting about 1" above upper mark!!!!!!
Took it for a drive, let it sit for 10 minutes and its sitting at 3/4 mark.

When should I check to find the correct level, engine cold or engine hot?

Cheers

[Mike]

IMO hot or cold won't make a difference, just make sure you leave it an hour or so after it's run and have it on a level surface.

[RacinRob]

Just read the manual and it mentions to check it with engine cold - meaning I had better drain some.
Surprised the difference in levels between hot and cold though.

[Mike]

The reason they say 'cold' is that you can be sure that the oil will have drained back to the sump by the time the engine is cold.

[bazw]

best to leave it till the engine has stood for an hour or so before testing so oil up in the head has had time to drain back into sump ( if you run engine and then stop it and dip it right away you can have a pint or so up in the head and so reading is wrong )