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MG MGA - Oil Capacity

Ok, this is for a 1600 B series engine currently in my Magnette. The dip stick measurements are the min line is 2 inches from the end and max is 3 1/8 from the end. I changed the oil and after adding 6 quarts, the level is just above the min mark. I do not recall it taking so much oil to change one of these. I do not see oil in the coolant or coolant in the oil. Do I need to start panicing?

Dennis, Az
Dennis

Dennis

Could it be that the rubber dust cover has moved down the shaft so that the dipstick is sitting too high?

Steve
Steve Gyles

Dennis:

In the MGA the dipstick enters the block vertically and rests on a plateau formed in the side of the sump. When the stick shows ‘Empty’ there is still in fact enough oil left to cover the pump intake - just.

In the Z Magnette (which I am assuming is what you have) the stick enters the block at an angle, with the end resting on a table welded to the floor of the sump close to the pump strainer; again, there is enough oil left etc, etc.

Perhaps you need to drain the engine, refill with the correct amount of oil, and recalibrate the dipstick?

As I'm sure you know, it's not a good idea to run with too much oil in the sump. HTH.

Alex
A. W. Risk

...and check the dip stick tube height. It may be non standard or not screwed all the way home.

I know on an 1800, its about 4.5 qtsUS from empty to max-line.

Cheers,


Paul
Paul Hanley

Can anyone help with some advice for calibrating the dipstick? draining and re-filling with the correct amount of oil seems logical, if that is the best way. I for one am leery of the accuracy of mine. I think the rubber dust cover is nothing more than a coil wire boot! Any advice on this for getting a better dust cover?

Tom
Tom Balutis

I had the same idea about the rubber boot. I removed mine and I can hear the stick hitting the bottom of the pan, or the rest in the pan. Anyway, it is definately bottoming out. The stick has not stop so the guide tube can not prevent the stick from going in all the way.

Dennis, Az
Dennis

Oh, yea. 4.5 qts seems about what I remember for my A with the 1500 cc B series engine.

Dennis, Az
Dennis

Which dipstick entry are you using, the one between the oil filter and distributor housings, or the one at the front of the block?
A. W. Risk

Alex

Am I missing something on my engine? What dipstick entry at the front of the block? I am intrigued.

While I am posting this, my wreck of an 1800 engine came minus its dipstick so I used the 1500's. I I filled the engine (+ filter) with the specified volume, then adjusted the height of the dipstick to show full, clamping the rubber boot at the appropriate height. Not seized the engine yet after 5 years.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Thanks AW, never occurred to me that someone would maybe use the wrong dipstick hole, after doing all the other changeover tasks!
Steve, the Magnette uses a unique front sump, hence there is a front hole below the generator for a suitable stick. I believe that all blocks up through the 1800 3 main were drilled for this, but it's normally plugged except for Magnettes.
FRM
FR Millmore

In an MGA engine, the dipstick should just hit the bottom of the sump. "Recalibrate" by moving the dust cover to the point that the dipstick just bottoms out. New dust covers are available through the usual suppliers. Make sure you have the right size and shape dipstick. When I purchased my car, it came with a dipstick from an MGB, which was worthless. So, I bought a good used stick from Scarboro Faire. Good luck.

Regards,
M.D.
'57 Coupe
M. D.

Steve:

FRM says it all.

What concerned me in my first post, was that if oil level was being read from the rearmost position, then the sump would need overfilling before anything would register on the stick. And of course there would be a danger of oil foaming if the crankshaft could enter any overfill.

Alex
A. W. Risk

FRM

Been to look at my old 1500 engine gathering dust in the corner of the garage. From your description I presume it is the half anvil casting that protudes out from below the generator, about 4 inches back from the front plate. The casting has a hole on the top that appears slanted in towards the sump.

Never given it any thought before. You see all these odd shaped castings on the engine and never appreciate that they have some use when the engine is fitted to another car.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve,
Yep, thassit! On the LH side of A series blocks, there are two plugs in the oil passages on early ones, or the bosses for them on later ones. These are apparently artifacts of the development of the 948 for Formula Junior dry sump systems!
Alex, Dennis has had a problem with high speed overheating - it's possible that he is churning up the oil like crazy if this turns out to be his problem.
FRM
FR Millmore

When I (temporarily) had a Magnette engine in my car, I had to move the dipstick tube from this front location to the normal one. The front location is NOT always drilled up to the 1800 blocks. I have a 1622 engine and had to drill and tap this front dipstick boss to be able to fit a knock sensor (another tale!)
dominic clancy

Dominic,
I know it's another tail, but did your knock sensor work? What were you using it for. I'm considering one. Thanks
Steve
Steve Meline

I am using the dip stick hole below the generator, in the front of the block. Now that you mention it, the pan looks backwards from my A. That is, the deep part is in the front on the Magnette and on the back on the A. I would say that I am using the correct hole and it sounds like I have the correct dipstick. That means I have to pull the pan because the only thing left is something in the pan preventing the dipstick going in all the way. Ugh!

Dennis, Az
Dennis

No No.

The sump on a Magnetter IS the other way round compared to an A, and you DO use the front dipstick hole in the block to measure the oil level.

I would look at the manual and see what the oil capacity fo the engine really should be. Then you will know whether you do have a problem or not. As I remember, the sump on the Magnette engine is the same volume as that on the A, so the capacity should be more or less the same. 6 Quarts is 12 US pints, about 9.5 pints imperial if I translate correctly. This is rather too much I think (though I am nno expert on Magnettes)

Just to remove a really silly possibility, check it's not that the split stick is entering the tube on one half only, so that it's never going in correctly, but only till the resistance of the split stops it going in any further.

Do you hear a clunk as the dipstick bottoms out on the bottom of the sump pan? Maybe you need to get posting on the Magnette board to check that the marking on your dipstick is in the correct place - maybe you have a different (MGA) dipstick when you really need a Magnette one to match the sump.

Steve - The knock sensor is for the J&S Safeguard. It did work, but having done some work on that side of the engine bay I have lost the bit of paper with the hookup details, and haven't got round to hooking it up again. I do have a very very quiet engine (mechanically at least !!) - it may not work with one that rattles. The guy at J&S is a really nice guy (seems to spend a fair bit of time playing Pool...) so I just need to call him and get a new set off his website. Cool bit of kit - it monitors and ajusts timing in real time per cylinder.
dominic clancy

Dominic

How about starting a new thread on the knock sensor question. I am sure that Steve and I are not the only ones interested in this tale.

Thanks

Larry
Larry Hallanger

My Magnette takes about 7 pints (Imp) of oil. I'm not sure exactly how much, but theres a some left in a gallon (Imp) can. About 4 litres if you're that way inclined.
Dan Smithers

http://mgbmga.com/tech/mgb17.htm shows various dipsticks and tubes to go with them.

dominic clancy

This thread was discussed between 26/04/2006 and 29/04/2006

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