24 replies to this topic

[croc7]

Since the 1275 block is taller by approx 10mm, were there different length dipsticks for each engine?  The reason that I ask is that I suspected the oil level indicated on the dipstick for this A+ Metro block wasn't accurate.  At my last oil/filter change, I did a careful check and found that with exactly 5 quarts and a small filter (a Mahle OC25) that the full level was about 1/4" below the MAX line on the dipstick.

 

Thanks 

[Earwax]

No answer sorry- but i had assumed all were the same length as it was essentially the gearbox depth.. If clever people chime in on this , can you add details as to the different tops of the dipsticks please. I think A+ have seals - but without looking at aftermarket ones - I am curious about normal looking ones [finger loop at top]  and umbrella top with finger loop [see image]

 

 dipstick tube.jpg   26.45K   1 downloads

 

[nicklouse]

They are all the same. Except for the very early 850s. All the others have the sane level marks.

[mab01uk]

The extra height was added to the top of the 1275 block so made no difference to the dipstick length.
 

[68+86auto]

If you put the estimated quantity of oil and you are that close then that sounds like the dipstick is correct.

I have seen one where someone mixed up A and A+ parts meaning the dipstick was much higher than it should be. It would've required a lot more oil to meet the dipstick.

[nicklouse]

If you put the estimated quantity of oil and you are that close then that sounds like the dipstick is correct.

I have seen one where someone mixed up A and A+ parts meaning the dipstick was much higher than it should be. It would've required a lot more oil to meet the dipstick.

Sorry they have the same level marking. You can use either in either build. There is no difference.

[68+86auto]

 

If you put the estimated quantity of oil and you are that close then that sounds like the dipstick is correct.

I have seen one where someone mixed up A and A+ parts meaning the dipstick was much higher than it should be. It would've required a lot more oil to meet the dipstick.

Sorry they have the same level marking. You can use either in either build. There is no difference.

 

The dipstick itself may be the same length, but when someone adds a dipstick tube to an A+ it will be wrong. That's why I said parts, not dipstick.

[croc7]

The extra height was added to the top of the 1275 block so made no difference to the dipstick length.
 

That would explain it then, thanks.

[nicklouse]

 

 

If you put the estimated quantity of oil and you are that close then that sounds like the dipstick is correct.

I have seen one where someone mixed up A and A+ parts meaning the dipstick was much higher than it should be. It would've required a lot more oil to meet the dipstick.

Sorry they have the same level marking. You can use either in either build. There is no difference.

 

The dipstick itself may be the same length, but when someone adds a dipstick tube to an A+ it will be wrong. That's why I said parts, not dipstick.

 

But it won’t fit. 

[Ethel]

The stick will, badly.

[68+86auto]

 

 

 

If you put the estimated quantity of oil and you are that close then that sounds like the dipstick is correct.

I have seen one where someone mixed up A and A+ parts meaning the dipstick was much higher than it should be. It would've required a lot more oil to meet the dipstick.

Sorry they have the same level marking. You can use either in either build. There is no difference.

 

The dipstick itself may be the same length, but when someone adds a dipstick tube to an A+ it will be wrong. That's why I said parts, not dipstick.

 

But it won’t fit. 

 

 

In what way won't it fit?

 

I have a 1980 998 A+ from a moke which when I got it, had a plastic tube and a dipstick like this:
 

 1.jpg   13.24K   0 downloads

 

Once the tube and boot were removed, the dipstick is the correct length. There was no modification to the block as a new A+ dipstick fits fine.

 

Note that I never claim to know much about the manuals. All I can tell you is that what I saw, is what I saw and that it definitely had a tube installed with a dipstick like pictured.

 

 

 

Anyway, the OPs problem is long solved. There isn't a likely way for the dipstick to be 1/4" out. If I was putting in the specified amount of oil and came up that tiny bit short, I wouldn't question it at all. I'd add the oil. If it was around an inch out like I found, that is when to worry.

Edited by 68+86auto, 06 August 2026 - 10:45 PM.

[Spider]

The 'A' Dip Stick Tubes, Plastic or Steel, won't fit in to a stock 'A+' Bock. If you drilled the Block to fit one, it would sit about 1" too high.

 

While some may ask "why would you want to do that", something along these lines if what I've been considering doing for some time. I find when sitting at moderate or higher revs for extended periods, even with an O Ringed Dip Stick, I still get the small of Oil Stains around the Dip Stick, to which the sand 'glues' itself to. I've found with the 'A' Blocks that have the longer steel tube (there was 2 lengths in these) they don't do this.

[68+86auto]

The 'A' Dip Stick Tubes, Plastic or Steel, won't fit in to a stock 'A+' Bock. If you drilled the Block to fit one, it would sit about 1" too high.

 

While some may ask "why would you want to do that", something along these lines if what I've been considering doing for some time. I find when sitting at moderate or higher revs for extended periods, even with an O Ringed Dip Stick, I still get the small of Oil Stains around the Dip Stick, to which the sand 'glues' itself to. I've found with the 'A' Blocks that have the longer steel tube (there was 2 lengths in these) they don't do this.

 

I will have to see if I have a photo of it. Maybe the tube is from another car? I purchased a new A+ dipstick from minispares and it is a tight fit so the block can't have been drilled? Unless drilling is about a depth issue rather than diameter?

I suspect someone got the A+ engine missing a lot of parts so transferred stuff from the original engine. Stuff like the alternator bracket is a generator one with washers behind it (yes they are different despite what minispares etc say).

There is also the possibility that it was done to reduce dust getting into the oil. It is in a dusty environment and every time the dipstick is removed, dust can fall in unless the area was cleaned first.

[Ethel]

Were yours different to stop the oil running out 

 

The one in your photo doesn't look like what we got in our A+ lumps. It plugged directly in the block, no tube at all & relied on an O ring to behave like a cork in a bottle. As Spider said, they're pants compared to the tube that could hold a decent head of engine oil.

[croc7]

 

 

 

 

If you put the estimated quantity of oil and you are that close then that sounds like the dipstick is correct.

I have seen one where someone mixed up A and A+ parts meaning the dipstick was much higher than it should be. It would've required a lot more oil to meet the dipstick.

Sorry they have the same level marking. You can use either in either build. There is no difference.

 

The dipstick itself may be the same length, but when someone adds a dipstick tube to an A+ it will be wrong. That's why I said parts, not dipstick.

 

But it won’t fit. 

 

 

In what way won't it fit?

 

I have a 1980 998 A+ from a moke which when I got it, had a plastic tube and a dipstick like this:
 

1.jpg

 

Once the tube and boot were removed, the dipstick is the correct length. There was no modification to the block as a new A+ dipstick fits fine.

 

Note that I never claim to know much about the manuals. All I can tell you is that what I saw, is what I saw and that it definitely had a tube installed with a dipstick like pictured.

 

 

 

Anyway, the OPs problem is long solved. There isn't a likely way for the dipstick to be 1/4" out. If I was putting in the specified amount of oil and came up that tiny bit short, I wouldn't question it at all. I'd add the oil. If it was around an inch out like I found, that is when to worry.

 

Assuming that the oil quantity in each of the quart containers is accurate, the result of adding exactly 5 quarts of oil, plus a filter, was that the oil level on the dipstick was short of the MAX marking by close to a 1/4".  Knowing that the amount of oil added was correct, I remarked the dipstick to reflect the correct minimum and maximum levels.  Regardless, the level was between the MIN/MAX marking, so much ado over nothing. 

Edited by croc7, 07 August 2026 - 06:14 AM.