K-series oil capacity

[pburt]

I've just changed the oil in my 1.4 SS and filled to the dipstick notch (engine hot and running as per manual) but it's taken about 4.3 litres rather than the 4.0 litres stated capacity.

 

Does this meant the dipstick notch is wrong and I've therefore over-filled? Or is the stated capacity an approximation?

 

Help!

 

Peter Burt

[CageyH]

I thought it was with the Apollo tank you have to do this with the engine running?

 

Only dead fish go with the flow....!

[CageyH]

Obviously not....

 

Only dead fish go with the flow....!

[pburt]

Just re-read the technique and note it says "run engine until warm". I actually left mine idling for a few minutes after a 10 mile easy drive and then dipped. Would that mean it was "hot" rather than just "warm" and possibly give a lower level reading?

 

In any event, is 0.3 of a litre much of an "overfill" anyway, such that damage could result?

 

Peter Burt

[CageyH]

Standard wet sump is roughly 5 litresfrom empty.

As long as the oil is up to the notch, there should be no problem.

 

Only dead fish go with the flow....!

[Nifty]

Confusion reigns ❗ ❗

The oil levels in my Caterham build manual are quite different.

 

Wet sump - 4.0 litres

Wet sump VVC - 4.5 litres

Wet sump + Apollo - 6.5 litres

 

Dry sump - 4.5 litres

Dry sump + cooler - 5.0 litres

Dry sump + Apollo - 7.5 litres

Dry sump + cooler + Apollo - 8.0 litres

 

 

I always used to measure my oil when the engine was off .. I always thought it was bad practice to start an engine before checking the oil level.

 

I used the method of level checking outlined in the above link when I first installed the Apollo to determine the amount was correct and then I just learnt where that sat on the dipstick when the engine had been left for the oil to drain back to the sump.

You then mark the dipstick accordingly - a lot easier with the old plastic dipsticks than the Caterham metal wire and fish float affairs.

 

I guess with the dry sump system I won't have this as an option, since the oil drains away from the tank rather than to it.

 

Keep off the straight and narrow 😬

 

 

 

Edited by - Nifty on 22 Jun 2007 07:36:25

[stephen grant]

Nifty - I believe that those are the "initial fill" levels; certainly the Wet Sump + Apollo = 6.5 litres is. The build manual at that point I think advises you to run the engine for no more than about a minute before switching off.

 

Wet sump + Apollo requires about another litre on top of that to get to the mid/upper end of the dipstick range

 

stephen

 

 

Edited by - stephen grant on 22 Jun 2007 11:27:37

[Nifty]

CC have advised me 7.0.litres for the VVC.

 

The initial fill is the minimum average amount required apparently then they add the caveat to check and top up if necessary .. which makes sense.

 

I suppose it depends on exact pipework lengths, filter size, and for drained and refilled engines the amount of residual oil in the head/block

 

Keep off the straight and narrow 😬

[Dartmoor7]

If it's an unmodified 1400SS with all-plastic yellow dipstick, you just fill to the notch when cold.

I've had this from CC and Len Unwin.

The engine running stuff was intoduced with the VVC and the Apollo.

 

MY BLAT-O-METER

2007: 38 (to 17th June)

2006: 89

2005: 91

2004: 64

2003: 66

2002: 66

2001: 79

2000: 32 (divorce!)

1999: NRA

[Nifty]

And if you have an old plastic dipstick yopu can mark the new level on it once the Apollo's fitted, so you can still check when cold.

 

Keep off the straight and narrow 😬