Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Oil Capacity

I have just carried an annual service with Oil and Filter change on my 1800 Duratec.(70th Anniversary)

As per the book I have replenished with 4.5 Litres of oil(including filter)

My problem is the dip stick is barley showing any oil level????

Any ideas.

Thanks

Gordon

4/4 1800 Duratec 70th Anniversary.

Fill to the dipstick mark rather than by volume. But clean oil is almost invisible on the stick so double check and don't overfill.

On level ground!

You did put the drain plug back in before you filled with oil, didn't you?

Dave's right. Level ground, give the oil time to drain down into the sump, wipe and dip a couple of times. The difference between minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick is usually about a litre.

The oil capacity in the manual is not correct. The car needs 5,75L oil. The Duratec in the Morgan has a special oil sump. 4,5L is for a serial Ford oil sump in the Mondeo e.g.
I know it because I had the same problem like you.

Just as a point of interest and this may apply to other engines. On my Climax engine filling to the full level used to give me clutch slip on an incline ( not nice when a Mallock U2 screams past you at Oulton Park at sprint meeting )
The answer was to put in the required amount of oil and put a new mark on the dip stick.

Hi Gordon, what year is your 70th Anniversary based on as just trying to find the twin to ours. Ours is marked as 1976.
Ian

Thanks guys

I will fill to the dip stick level, the car is on level ground, and has been left standing overnight and still it is only just registering on the dip stick.

I agree with Dave clean oil is nearly invisable.

If the Morgan has a special sump for increased oil capacity you would think MMC would adjust thd owners manual.

Ian my 70th is based on a 1967

Gordon

4/4 Duratec 70th Anniversary

Finished the oil and filter change and it took 5.5 litres of oil, which is in line with 4acker and his 5.75 litres.

Gordon

4/4 Duratec 70th Anniversary

Hi, 4acker is right, the Anniversary model has a special sump and takes more oil.

My Anniversary (1995) car handbook states 5.8 litres and it takes that amount.

if it is of interest to anyone I have two problems...
1) I have trouble seeing the fresh oil level on the circular end of the dipstick
2) when pushing the dipstick in I think it pushes the oil up the narrow dipstick hole and gives a false reading with oil spread up the dipstick

So I fill 5.5 litre and leave for an hour. This allows the oil to settle as a level on the dipstick. Pulling the dipstick smartly out a distinct oil level ring is just about discernable holding the stick horizontally in a good light

If there is no sign of oil I add 50cc, leave for an hour, recheck and repeat until I have the correct level.

Caution, from an oil level at the bottom of the dipstick to the correct level does not take very much oil.

This is my car, of course, and yours may act differently. It's a chore but I don't overfill.

Sorry if this is an egg sucking moment

I agree with all you say Salmo, trying to read the oil level when the oil is new is extremely difficult.

Strange how your handbook says 5.8 litres while mine reads 4.5 litres.