Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Plus 4 Fiat dipstick

On our 1986 Fiat 2L engined Plus 4, the dipstick (originally electronic but probably never connected as such) has been modified and my question is - looking at the photos, what is the correct oil level?

Top, not wired up.


Business end - is the notch full or empty?


Comparison with a welding rod touching the bottom of the sump.


Difference in lengths.


Oil level is currently to the notch. What would YOU do?

Difficult isn't it. On mine when I bought the car I bought a new, non electric dipstick with standard notches.
If you like I can measure the length of it to the full notch...would that help?
Nick

Yes please Nick. Add a photo too if convenient.

I believe that 4/4 TC & +4 both use engines from the Fiat Argenta.
In my Argenta Owner Handbook it say 1 kg (1litre) of 15/40 between min & max marks for all petrol models.
For the 2 litre the Haynes manual says 4.83 litres inc filter.

Jack, I don't have Min/Max marks or notches - unless that indentation on the coppery brass bit is a Max mark. I assumed that was just a crimp. If you look at the photo above with the welding rod there's nearly 3" from the sump bottom to the notch on my dipstick.
The Fiat adviser in MSCC posted me a photo of an electronic dipstick that had a plastic shroud around the bottom of the stick, marked Min and Max, but that's missing from mine.
Looks like I should source an Argenta Haynes Manual!
Thanks.

Rob,
My replacement dipstick is exactly 23inches long from where the top hits the pipe to the end.i.e.I dont include the plastic handle bit.
From top to low level mark is exactly 22inches.
From top to high level mark is exactly 21inches

I got the stick from the fiat specialist Middle Barton Garage in Bicester.

However, it's not a perfect replacement in that there's some sort of sprung hinged flap down in the engine and as the new stick is a typical flat blade type, there's a little bit of toing and froing to gain entry past the flap. Hope that makes sense.

I'll try and post a picture shortly but actually it's just a typical looking dipstick.

Nick

So my measurements are from the circular molding on the yellow plastic...just to the right of the black dot

By the way, my chap told me that the plastic tips break off and fall down into the sump where they remain harmlessly!
He said it's also common on some Ford engines when they tried the same idea.
Nick

Very useful info Nick.
Looking at my full length pic it looks like the single notch I have (around 21 1/4 inches) would relate to High or full level. So as long as I top up to that level I'm probably safe. I hope!
The bit about the hinged flap explains why, when I was poking the welding rod down, I had to modify it with a simple bend. I thought it was hitting the joint where the tube joined the engine/sump.
If I ever have cause to take the sump off I'll not be too worried when I find a lump of plastic......
Thanks all, Rob.