Duratec Oil Level

[Smiffy69]

I am mid waythrough an oil change and before I started draining the Oil out I dipped the level and it read 3/4 full between the marks. It is now drained and I have over 5L of oil which has drained out. The manual says (if it can be believed) suggests that to fill it only needs 4.5L.

 

(Its worth remembering that the accuracy of the dipstick is only as accurate as the length of pipe that connects the mounting bracket to the sump but given that was already on the engine when I built the car I have assumed up until now that it is the correct length)

 

So as a project manager once told me to "challenge assumptions" what is the right answer?

 

a) refill with 4.5L (as per the manual) and adjust the pipe length so that it reads "Full" on the dip stick.

b) fill until it reads full on the dip stick but will be nearer 5.5L by that time.

c) split the difference and stick 5L in and adjust the reading accordingly.

d) something else.

 

My main concern is that I am either over or under filling

[Jason Plato]

the correct level is when the oil completely fills the sump to the level of the sump/engine joint.

 

Try and determine whet this level represents in reality on your dipstick

 

 

[Smiffy69]

Thanks Dave it's good to know where the oil level should be.

 

I just removed the whole pipe and engine fitting and it's there or there abouts with the line of engine to sump (but difficult to tell) and if anything might be fraction high.

 

So I guess that few more mm on the dip stick = a half litre or so of oil in the sump and hence why I may have slightly over filled.

 

I think so trials (hopefully no errors) to tweak are required.

 

 

[Garry7]

Mines a standard 175 2012 vintage, it takes nearer 6-6.5 litres. I confirmed with CC when I built the car that the handbook is wrong at 4.5.

 

Garry

[Guest]

What Gary says is true, I refilled mine last week and it took 5L. I assume I didn't quite get it all out when I drained it which would account for why I didn't have to put in a bit more than 5L.

 

When I built the car and filled it for the first time it took nearly 6.5 litres.

 

Tom

[Smiffy69]

Really .... I did think the handbook looked a bit wrong

 

5L in and only just touching the bottom of the dipstick so I'll add a bit more

 

[Guest]

My 2.0L Duratec 175 took 6.5 litres from new.

 

 

[Jason Plato]

don't forget chaps we are talking about levels for the sump pan and then there may be a requirement for extra to fill oil coolers. The correct dipstick level is the important datum not always the number of litres after a change

 

Edited by - Dave Jackson on 27 Jun 2014 13:06:46

[Smiffy69]

Well every day is a school day

 

It turns out that 6L is about the right amount to read correctly on the dipstick

 

Thanks for the top tips

[Garry7]

Memory is clearing now that's why the Duratec first fill pack comes with 2x 5ltrs of oil. CC wouldn't do that if you only needed 4.5! If only they'd thought of that and queried their own book

 

I'm glad you checked when it didn't look right

 

 

[7 wonders of the world]

A Raceline wet sump set level on the bench holds 5.0Ltrs, plus filter, galleries and residual oil held in casting hollows etc.

 

Naturally an oil change will be less than the initial fill.