6 replies to this topic

[colinu]

I have a pre A+ engine that I’ve rebuilt. Problem is that although I’ve put 4.8 liters of oil in it the oil level barely touches the bottom of the dipstick (i.e. considerably below the Min mark). I’m wondering if I have an early/short dipstick that should be used without the plastic tube/extender. Could that be possible?

I’ve searched TMF and the consensus seems to be that pre A+ needs the plastic tube and a standard dipstick… and one post indicates the length of a standard dipstick is 11.5" from its collar to the very end of the stick. Mine is only 10" long. Taking into account that the plastic is 1.5" long then I guess if I removed that then the dipstick should read correctly. So…

• Is it OK to use this ‘short’ dipstick without a plastic tube (or will oil be more likely to blow past it)?, or
• Should I use the tube and get a new dipstick?

 

   Cheers,

   Colin.

 

 

Edited by colinu, 09 May 2013 - 04:33 PM.

[mk1leg]

a pic would help to asess ....

[colinu]

Pics of the dipstick, tube, engine (fully rebuilt, and bare block before the rebuild including casting numbers)...

 

 

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[colinu]

?

[Dan]

  I may be wrong but that looks a lot like an A+ dipstick to me.

[Guess-Works.com]

Dipsticks for the A series and A+ are the same in markings, the "MIN" mark is 9.3/8" from the top of the shoulder.

 

I can see from the picture that the tube is fully home, sometimes this sits proud which gives a false reading.

 

Is the car parked on a hill ? how long have you let the oil go through the engine ?

[colinu]

Guessworks... thanks for confirming that I have the correct dipstick/tube :)

Confusing thing is this... car is on stands/ramps but level, new oil put in the engine in prep for 1st start after full rebuild, and after sitting for a week the oil level was barely touching the tip of the dipstick. Knowing I had put the correct amount of oil in the engine I decided to start her up anyway and bed the cam in last night. This morning I re-checked the oil level... now it's showing approx 1/3 way up from the Min mark... phew!. So where the heck was that oil hiding before I did the bed in?