This blog, in addition to the usual maintenance details for classic mini cars, an attempt is made to explain the "whys" and "wherefores" of the various jobs.

Saturday 17 October 2009

Checking the Oil Level

The level of the oil should be checked at frequent intervals and fresh oil added (if required) through the filler cap in the valve cover on top of the engine, to bring the level up to the "Full" mark on the dipstick. Always withdraw and wipe the dipstick, reinsert it and push it fully home, before again withdrawing it to take the actual reading.


The car should be standing on level ground and a short time should always be allowed for the oil to drain back into the crankcase; otherwise a misleading reading may be obtained.

The oil should not be allowed to fall below the end of the dipstick. If the engine is in good condition, topping-up should be needed only every 200 or 300 miles or at even longer periods when the engine is new; a worn engine, however, will need more frequent checks. Remember, too, that the oil consumption will rise in hot weather and will.increase quite substantially when long, fast runs are undertaken, as compared with the figure that one becomes accustomed to when shorter runs at modest speeds are the order of the day. Tests have shown that the oil does not attain its maximum temperature until the car has been running for approximately one hour.

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