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MG MGA - Engine Oil Volume?

Just drained all the engine oil out ( incl filter) and got a quantity of just under 3 litres ( 6.3 US pints ) . Level indicator showed low mark on dip and pressure etc been fine ( 50 to 60PSI )..but the manual says 4.5 litres.....any ideas??
n ferguson

If you had filled up to the full mark on the dipstick would that have increased the volume to the specified 4.5 litres?

Also there are a variety of dipsticks and dipstick holders. Do you have the correct combination? See here for example: http://mgbmga.com/tech/mgb17.htm

Steve
Steve Gyles

I reckon it is 1 pint (about 1/2 litre) to take from min to max on my dipstick. Could your sump have a dent in the bottom which will reduce its capacity?
Cam Cunningham

Cam..no dents at all...and I warmed the car up well before draining ..will fill it up with Fresh tomorrow and see how much it takes...
Neil
n ferguson

Neil

Is your dip stick set to the correct height. I found that the rubber shroud on mine moved and I was able to alter the height slightly. I recalibrated at an oil change by filling with the specified volume, then adjusting the dipstick to show full. Not sure if that is sound engineering practice, but it has worked okay on my 1800 engine for the past 8 years.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve...I have a straight dipstick but checked the distances for high and low against those on Barneys site and they are correct..I also can hear and feel the stick touch touch the bottom of the pan when inserted...so hope the issue is partially resolved when I fill up tomorrow....
Neil
n ferguson

the puzzle still exists..I put 4 litres(compared to 4.5 litres recommended ) and checked the dip and it was above max markby about 5mm. Car is on the level and I rechecked the dipstick marks from bottom of stick as per recommendation from Barney Gaylord Site...and my stick agrees exactly . Suppose I should just add the extra 0.5 litre and re-mark the stick...any advice ?
n ferguson

Just a thought, do the modern spin on filters hold less oil than than the original filter container?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Does it have the correct/standard sump?
Neil McGurk

What about the oil cooler? Have you drained that as well???

CP
Colin Parkinson

Did you run the engine to fill the new oil filter before measuring? You said earlier that you either drained or replaced the filter.


Mick
M F Anderson

Steve...a good point as I have just changed to the spin on adapter and put a small Ryko Z418 filter on..will go for a drive and fill all the cavities properly and recheck.also I will estimate difference in vols between the two filters.
Neil...Did not know there were alternatives...but looks standard according to manual/drawings I have seen.
Colin...no oil cooler.

n ferguson

Went for a drive to fill up cars body (engine?)cavities with oil and at end ,after settling, the level is on max on dip stick...so 4 litres fills up the engine to recommended max.
Measured the size of the old centre bolt filter housing and the new Ryco one and estimate a difference of about one quarter of a litre less oil now required .....so...
Looks like my engine took about 4.25 litres max compared to 4.5 recommended...only a 5% difference so for me...ie close enough !!
n ferguson

This thread was discussed between 06/05/2009 and 08/05/2009

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