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Oil level question - J15 + 1.7 Zetec SE
monkeyarms - 12/7/15 at 04:15 PM

I have Just done an oil change on my kit, first one since i swapped this engine in last year.

It has the 1.7 Puma engine, which takes 4.6l of oil with a filter change.

So i drain the old oil, put new filter on and put 4 litres in. Now check the dipstick to start topping up to get to correct level. Thing is, the level seems to be about 20mm above MAX already. So i think it just hasnt had chance to settle yet.
I went for a drive and pressure is good, high on cold temperature then lowers a little when warm as you would expect. No noises, runs sweet and smooth.
I check the oil level again next day, and sure enough it is 20 to 30mm above MAX

I am straining my brain to think of what could be happening here.

1. incorrect dipstick (too long)
2. some kind of air lock, in filter maybe?
3. ???


I have thoughts of taking the sump off to have a look, but want to avoid the hassle as i would propbably have oil leaks, and doubt if it would show me much anyway.

After doing loads of oil changes in the past, this has me stumped.

Anyone got an idea whats happening?

[Edited on 12/7/15 by monkeyarms]


HowardB - 12/7/15 at 04:21 PM

Was the original installation at an angle and the kit upright, or vice versa.?


Nickp - 12/7/15 at 04:22 PM

Has it got a chopped sump?


monkeyarms - 12/7/15 at 04:32 PM

The engine is mounted same as it was in the Puma.

No chopped sump, it is standard engine setup dropped staight into my J15

[Edited on 12/7/15 by monkeyarms]


monkeyarms - 12/7/15 at 04:40 PM

The 1.4 Zetec it replaced was in same position and oil level was ok.

Here is the 1.7 engine mid install.


adithorp - 12/7/15 at 05:20 PM

4.6 sounds slot for a Sigma. I thought they were more like 4.2. Are you sure the 4.6 isn't for a dry engine? ie. completely dry as in just built/never run rather than drained.


monkeyarms - 12/7/15 at 05:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
4.6 sounds slot for a Sigma. I thought they were more like 4.2. Are you sure the 4.6 isn't for a dry engine? ie. completely dry as in just built/never run rather than drained.


At only 4 litres it was over reading though, by a lot on the dipstick.


RichN - 12/7/15 at 06:34 PM

I have a similar issue with my 1.25SE in the RIOT. It's because the engine isn't level. It leans one way so all of the oil doesn't drain out. I've tried levelling it using jacks and ramps.

For me, if the dipstick reads MAX then I don't worry about it.


Jenko - 12/7/15 at 06:56 PM

Don't worry......I've struggled in the past to get 4l into the engine.....assuming you've not changed or bent the dipstick, just go with it........I did manage to remove about 1/2 a litre of oil from the sump even when it's drained.


joneh - 12/7/15 at 08:25 PM

Don't suppose you measured how much oil you took out and noticed the level before?


monkeyarms - 13/7/15 at 01:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by RichN
I have a similar issue with my 1.25SE in the RIOT. It's because the engine isn't level. It leans one way so all of the oil doesn't drain out. I've tried levelling it using jacks and ramps.

For me, if the dipstick reads MAX then I don't worry about it.



Ahh thanks Rich + Jenko, I was hoping it was somthing like this. I didnt realise the engine was tilted so far forward.
I will drain some out so that the level is just on MAX

Cheers


Jenko - 13/7/15 at 01:15 PM

I've not noticed the tilt on mine, but a good pointt, but if you look at the sump shape it's a real bowl, ad I always suspected draining it didn't quite get the dregs out from the bottom......

[Edited on 13/7/15 by Jenko]


750mc - 16/7/15 at 11:05 AM

Might be worth fitting a catch tank when its running?


lordbenny - 1/9/20 at 05:08 PM

Wow, I know this is an almighty thread resurrection but I have the same issue. Can’t seem to get more than 3.5 litres of oil in my newly purchased J15 (1.7 Zetec S). The engine is flat, the sump or dipstick isn’t modified, I drained the oil on two different levels, on ramps and on the flat....I can only presume, as did Jenko (the cars original builder), that the sump retains quite a lot of the old oil. The last thing I want to do is run the car without enough oil in it but it does show MAX on the dipstick.


johnH20 - 3/10/20 at 01:38 PM

Just come across this thread. Not sure what you mean by flat. The production installation angle on a Sigma ( Zetec SE ) is 11 degree rotation backwards towards the exhaust side. I struggle to get more than about 4.2 litres in my 1.7 and it has the 'proper' installation angle. As noted above I suspect the 4.6 litre figure is for a dry engine at first fill.


lordbenny - 3/10/20 at 02:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by johnH20
Just come across this thread. Not sure what you mean by flat. The production installation angle on a Sigma ( Zetec SE ) is 11 degree rotation backwards towards the exhaust side. I struggle to get more than about 4.2 litres in my 1.7 and it has the 'proper' installation angle. As noted above I suspect the 4.6 litre figure is for a dry engine at first fill.


I’ve since discovered this....about 4 litres in mine!


nickm - 3/10/20 at 07:32 PM

Mine is the 1.6 Zetec SE the Haynes quotes 4.25 litres and if excluding oil filter 3.75 litres

Nick M