Dipstick Height Update

[oldelanman]

Yes of course I did.
From what I can remember the sump on my car sits pretty much parallel to the ground.
Mick G

Mick,
No criticism intended.
The reason I asked is that my engine slopes down towards the back - approx 1/2" or so over the length of the sump flange - which might have accounted for the 1/4" discrepancy you found on your initial measurement with the sump sitting level.

[MickG]

Roger, no offence taken although if I?m honest I did think you were winding me up.
Just for my own peace of mind you understand
I just carried out the water test again tilting the sump up so that it was 1/2 inch lower at the rear. The difference in depth at the same point (where the dipstick goes) was less than 1/16 inch.
As stated previously I only drained 3.5L (6 Pints) from the sump despite the level being correct. Even allowing for what was in the oil filter (which I also drained) and the residual amount left in the engine that amounts to less than an egg cup full ( caught in a plastic sheet under the engine while on a stand) I concluded that something was not quite right.
I am now satisfied that the dipstick is now correctly installed.
Thanks for your reply

Regards MickG

[AHM]

Mick,

I just filled my completely rebuilt engine - absolutely dry.

With your observations in mind I put in just over 4 litres of oil. It came to the second L of FULL which is a good way past the line. I'll take more accurate measurements as I run it a bit.

A couple of other things that crossed my mind with a spare sump to hand.

The drain plug is not at the bottom, and with the engine tilted up at the carb side it is on the higher side. So we are not emptying the sump at oil change time.

[AHM]

I have taken the front cover off, and set the new dipstick tube to 4.5" indicated in the manual page posted earlier.

On my Mk2 engine this is now correct for the 4l oil capacity given in the manual.

Well done for spotting that Mick!

[MickG]

See my recent post on http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/lotus-twincam-f39/oil-level-dipstick-t30367.html

[oldelanman]

On my Mk2 engine this is now correct for the 4l oil capacity given in the manual.

Just out of interest why have you elected to use the 4 lt figure and not the 7.5 pint figure also given in the manual ?
That's 4.26 lt.........even better if you are looking to avoid oil surge.

[AHM]

Just out of interest why have you elected to use the 4 lt figure and not the 7.5 pint figure also given in the manual ?

Mick started the thread in metric, the measurements on the side of the can are in litres, and measuring oil in pints is a bit before my time!

If it should be 4.26 l, then the original dipstick position is a whole 0.46098 pints worse still.... that's about 1/2 a pint isn't it?

[JJDraper]

All this talk of pints could be confusing.

Just saying..

Jeremy

PS I prefer imperial pints when talking about beer.

[Galwaylotus]

All this talk of pints could be confusing.

Just saying..

Jeremy

PS I prefer imperial pints when talking about beer.

No confusion - just thirst generating!

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[oldelanman]

Just out of interest why have you elected to use the 4 lt figure and not the 7.5 pint figure also given in the manual ?

Mick started the thread in metric, the measurements on the side of the can are in litres, and measuring oil in pints is a bit before my time!

If it should be 4.26 l, then the original dipstick position is a whole 0.46098 pints worse still.... that's about 1/2 a pint isn't it?

Not trying to criticise or confuse the issue ........ it was just that Mick used the 7.5 pint figure when doing his measurements in his earlier post (and you referred to it also) so I just wondered why you ended up using the lower 4 lt quantity.

[Galwaylotus]

Going out to 2, 3 or more decimal places is a bit silly when the manual states capacity as follows:

Engine sump (including filter) 7??? pints (4 litres; 9 US pints)

In most car manuals the instruction is to keep the level of oil between the "ADD" and "FULL" marks on the dipstick - not an exact science.

[Galwaylotus]

I couldn't resist. For those that just have to have a very precise number, here are the conversion figures for each of the volumes listed in the manual.

[oldelanman]

OK point taken ........I will keep my thoughts to myself in future.

[Galwaylotus]

OK point taken ........I will keep my thoughts to myself in future.

Please don't. No offense intended. Just trying to put it into perspective.

[AHM]

Going out to 2, 3 or more decimal places is a bit silly when the manual states capacity as follows

Yup! That was my attempt at humour..... or about half a pint.

In most car manuals the instruction is to keep the level of oil between the "ADD" and "FULL" marks on the dipstick - not an exact science.

Sure those are the maintenance instructions - We are talking about a technical specification in my book 1/4 litre or 1/2 a pint is an error rather than an approximation.

Not trying to criticise or confuse the issue

I didn't think you were - you asked me why!
You make a valid point I had assumed that 7 1/2 pints was about 4 litres, and it isn't!