engine oil capacity

[smiffy]

Hi guys
Getting this thread back on track, I changed the engine oil and filter on my 2.4L today. I put in 6.25 litres, which put the oil level 2/3 up the hatched area of the dipstick. I then ran the engine for 5 min and switched off. The oil level settled out about 5 mm below the hatched area. Adding a further 500 mL of oil put the level at the bottom line of the hatched area, and a further 500 mL put it half way up the hatched area. Making the total up to 7.5 L put the level a couple of mm below the top of the hatched area. So, 'refill' in the manual would seem to be the amount required to top up if you don't change the filter, while 'total' is the capacity needed when the filter is changed.
Best wishes, David

[John.Whyteleafe]

Hello Neil,
As a recent recruit I was browsing the MK2 area and scrolled down to the bit about gearbox lubricants here. I can only offer what the original handbook for my 1966 3.8S (manual/overdrive) says. For Gearbox and Rear Axle it lists Castrol Hypoy, Spirax 90 EP and other EP 90 oils but no reference to the overdrive.
Regards
John

[stuarthardy]

Hi John

I am convinced that EP90 is the way to go.

I believe the overdrive gets its oil from the gearbox, which is why the overdrive can fail if the gearbox oil level drops too low. Could be wrong though.

Another point about oil levels. Apparently there are a number of different dipstick lengths and it is common for these to get mixed up such that some cars have too long a dipstick and get starved of oil while others have too short a dipstick and potentially get too much oil. Nasty thought either way.

Stuart

[sweller]

I am convinced that EP90 is the way to go.

I believe the overdrive gets its oil from the gearbox, which is why the overdrive can fail if the gearbox oil level drops too low. Could be wrong though.

From the factory manual (3.8s): "The oil for the lubrication of the overdrive unit is fed from the gearbox casing and therefore checking the gearbox oil level will also check the level of oil in the overdrive unit".

On the same page it also recommends using straight 30 engine oil. However the factory manual for the 4.2 Mk10 and 420 recommends EP90. Incidentally the Haynes book for the Mk1 and 2s also recommends EP90.

I have EP90 in my 3.8s. It was also what was in it when I first changed it after buying the car. Vile smelling stuff.

Another point about oil levels. Apparently there are a number of different dipstick lengths and it is common for these to get mixed up such that some cars have too long a dipstick and get starved of oil while others have too short a dipstick and potentially get too much oil. Nasty thought either way.

I have an early 1959/60 Mk2 3.8 engine (upwards oil filter, pressed steel sump) in my S-type - does anyone know what length the dipstick should be?

It's a really tricky dipstick to use too.