Vixen oil capacity?
Discussion
I've just changed the oil on the S3 to find that just 2.5 litres came out and no surprise I can only get 2.5 litres back in before I exceed the max mark on the dipstick.
Now that seems a touch too little oil to me, supported by the S2 handbook stating 3.25l and the Ford Haynes manual reckons 4.1l.
The engine is a crossflow but has had work done to it over the years. Anyone know how I can check whether the dipstick/sump is the correct one for the engine?
Thx ... Moto
Now that seems a touch too little oil to me, supported by the S2 handbook stating 3.25l and the Ford Haynes manual reckons 4.1l.
The engine is a crossflow but has had work done to it over the years. Anyone know how I can check whether the dipstick/sump is the correct one for the engine?
Thx ... Moto
Hi Moto,
Just done an oil change on my s3 and got about 3 litres in (including pre-loading the filter). I noticed that the TVR handbook lists 3.25 and the Haynes book over 4 litres which seems quite a difference.
Does the picture of the sump in the Haynes book look the same as the sump on your car?
Paul.
Just done an oil change on my s3 and got about 3 litres in (including pre-loading the filter). I noticed that the TVR handbook lists 3.25 and the Haynes book over 4 litres which seems quite a difference.
Does the picture of the sump in the Haynes book look the same as the sump on your car?
Paul.
Oil capacity for your engine should be 4.6 litres (8 pints) including filter change. Did you run the engine till it was HOT. I always run engine till it reaches full operating temperature, usually being driven rather than just ticking over and then drain oil over night with filler cap and filter removed. If there is only 2.5 litres draining out then either thats all thats in there or all the oil is not draining, either way a PROBLEM. Try giving it a flush with special flushing oil. Often with low mileage short journey engines the oil can get emulsified with condensation and not drain well. Sludging in the sump is also common and this wont drain. I suggest giving it a brisk drive for an hour (any excuse), drain oil out, fill with flushing oil, follow instructions on can, redrain and refill with FRESH quailty oil. If its only giving and taking 2.5 litres looks like a sump off to see what the inside is like. Keep an eye on oil pressure including it falling on corners and water temp during its excersize.
Interestingly, last month I put it on the rolling road for a set up and power test. No problems resulted there. The sump does look standard but it is quite small. There's never any drop in oil pressure when cornering, so no sign it's taking a gulp of air. When cold it runs 40-50psi, gradually dropping as it gets hot and stabilising at about 10-15 psi at idle and 20-25 at 2-3k revs. That's always seemed a bit low to me but numerous people have said that's OK and usual on a xflow.
Steve I think a flush is a good plan. Definately my first job. I'll let you know what happens.
Out of interest, I think the dipstick touches the bottom of the sump when in situ as there is a 'clink' sound. Can you tell me what the distance is on the correct dipstick from it's tip to the max line.
Thx
Moto
Steve I think a flush is a good plan. Definately my first job. I'll let you know what happens.
Out of interest, I think the dipstick touches the bottom of the sump when in situ as there is a 'clink' sound. Can you tell me what the distance is on the correct dipstick from it's tip to the max line.
Thx
Moto
thegamekeeper said:
Oil capacity for your engine should be 4.6 litres (8 pints) including filter change.
Not quite sure where you got this figure Steve but I have a ford capri mk1 haynes which lists 4.09 litres as capacity whereas my later escort book lists :-3.67 litres - initial fill with filter
2.75 litres - oil change without filter
3.25 litres - oil change with filter - which is also what the TVR manual lists
Moto - I have just checked my oil again and it took just slightly over 3 litres but it is actually slightly over the max mark. My dipstick measures 38mm from max to tip.
Saying that, my sump looks as though its bottom may have been flatened a touch by the odd scrape so this might account for the odd .2 of a litre? Does your sump look like it may have taken a hit? Might account for some?
2.75 might be OK though, after all, what amout of oil does it take between min and max? A litre??
Just dont go to a track and do some mega right handers! Harewood Hill caused oil starvation for my engine before its rebuild (a crossflow trait I believe, without extra baffling).
I have seen various sump shapes and some seem to have the main bowl at the front (like mine) and some have it at the back. Some also have 'wings' which I assume may account for more capacity as per Steve's post. What is yours like, this one? :-
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Cortina-Sump-1-6-Crossf...
Edited by jpa on Friday 20th May 19:58
Hey Paul,
A bit more info now. My dipstick has the p/n '711M6750CA' stamped on the opposite side to the max line. Apparently there was a ....AA version of the dipstick with the max line set for a 1300cc xflow and a....BA version for the 1600cc Xflow. I can't find any reference to a ....CA version.
The measurments of mine are 35mm from tip to max line. A 3mm diference to yours Paul which by my calc's would equate to approx .25l.
Moto
A bit more info now. My dipstick has the p/n '711M6750CA' stamped on the opposite side to the max line. Apparently there was a ....AA version of the dipstick with the max line set for a 1300cc xflow and a....BA version for the 1600cc Xflow. I can't find any reference to a ....CA version.
The measurments of mine are 35mm from tip to max line. A 3mm diference to yours Paul which by my calc's would equate to approx .25l.
Moto
Moto said:
Hey Paul,
A bit more info now. My dipstick has the p/n '711M6750CA' stamped on the opposite side to the max line. Apparently there was a ....AA version of the dipstick with the max line set for a 1300cc xflow and a....BA version for the 1600cc Xflow. I can't find any reference to a ....CA version.
Now you've opened a can of worms... mine has p/n 2737E 6752 - A !!!! Maybe mine is not from a 711 block originally! A bit more info now. My dipstick has the p/n '711M6750CA' stamped on the opposite side to the max line. Apparently there was a ....AA version of the dipstick with the max line set for a 1300cc xflow and a....BA version for the 1600cc Xflow. I can't find any reference to a ....CA version.
Oh well, 3 litres is not far off the TVR and one of the haynes books so I might just leave mine as is and keep it a touch over the max.
Paul
Whilst at the Classic last weekend I used the opportunity to see what sumps other Vixens had fitted on crossflows.
6 x large, deep bowl at front
4 x smaller with shallower bowl at rear
1 x alloy shallow sump bowl level front to rear
Comparing to a Capri which has a bigger sump than all above.
The capacity for the Capri is just over 4 litres according to Haynes. According to the Vixen Handbook capacity is 3.25 litres, however my Vixen takes 2.6 litres. This really fits with the above although I can find no reference to if / when TVR changed to the smaller sump bowl. This may be an aftermarket option carried out by owners if they 'bottom out' when driving - quite a common problem.
Posting a question on the PH tech engine forum, I asked about potential consequences of running an engine with substantially less oil capacity than the manufacturer intended. Answer came back as no real problem but the oil will cycle faster and therefore wear out / get contaminated sooner, so change the oil more often.
Hope that this is of interest to some out there and prompts people to change oil more often than perhaps - even more important for those with the small sump bowl at the rear.
Moto
6 x large, deep bowl at front
4 x smaller with shallower bowl at rear
1 x alloy shallow sump bowl level front to rear
Comparing to a Capri which has a bigger sump than all above.
The capacity for the Capri is just over 4 litres according to Haynes. According to the Vixen Handbook capacity is 3.25 litres, however my Vixen takes 2.6 litres. This really fits with the above although I can find no reference to if / when TVR changed to the smaller sump bowl. This may be an aftermarket option carried out by owners if they 'bottom out' when driving - quite a common problem.
Posting a question on the PH tech engine forum, I asked about potential consequences of running an engine with substantially less oil capacity than the manufacturer intended. Answer came back as no real problem but the oil will cycle faster and therefore wear out / get contaminated sooner, so change the oil more often.
Hope that this is of interest to some out there and prompts people to change oil more often than perhaps - even more important for those with the small sump bowl at the rear.
Moto
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