The 'E' Type Forum

The Haynes manual states the engine oil capacity of my Dec '61 S1 FHC 3.8 (engine no R2836-9) as 15 imperial pints. I've just changed the oil and filter and the dipstick level after adding 15 pints and running the engine is at the bottom of the hatched marking. The engine has long been fitted with a spin on filter conversion. The last time I changed the oil I ended up putting 17 pints in which (after running) to bring the level up to the top of the hatched area on the dipstick. Oil pressure is good and hasn't changed post oil change. The engine doesn't seem to be burning oil though there is a small weep (emanating from the crankshaft seal I think) and there's no sign of oil in the coolant. I haven't noticed any ill effects of what may have been an overfill at the last change but I'm confused as to why I have this anomaly of the low level on the dipstick with the apparently correct 15 pints on board.
Wrong dipstick though it looks original?
Spin on filter (Mann 916/1) holds more oil than standard filter?
Non original extra capacity sump (it looks standard as per pictures of the XK engine)?
Any suggestions?

Firstly, don't put more oil in than the manual says regardless of what the dipstick says in my opinion.
It could be the wrong dipstick (does it have the letter "E" at the bottom?)
It could be bent.
Put in the correct amount of oil exactly, and note where it comes to on the dipstick. That is your "Full" level.
Too much oil can be damaging.

Thank you Malcolm - I checked the dipstick and it does have an 'E' marked at the bottom end. It is straight from the collar down and though I can feel it very lightly touch something as it enters the sump (baffles?), it fully locates without any need for forceful pressure. I may drain down again and refill just to make sure I didn't lose count of how many pints I put in!

Have a read through this.. http://forum.etypeuk.com/viewtopic.php? ... b59bdca258

Thanks Steve - I had a read through the posts in the link you referred me to.

As a consequence I checked the dimensions and condition of my oil sump dipstick and it certainly seems to spot on in terms of marking - it has the 'E' - the length from collar to end/hatch top/hatch bottom etc is correct and is straight.

I'm concerned about running the engine with too little oil in it if there is a legitimate reason for the capacity being more than the manual quoted 15 pints and given that the dipstick appears to be spot on I'm once again wondering whether the sump is correct.

The car left the factory in Dec '61 according to the heritage certificate and the engine number matches that on the certificate. As shown in the pictures the sump has had a repair at some point before my ownership.

Does it look like it's the original sump to anyone more expert than I out there?

Thanks in anticipation.

Gareth

Hi Gareth...it looks like an early smooth sump......you have read through the oil posts.....are you sure you are measureing the oil correctly.....8.5 lit is about 15UK pints but is also about 18US pints......my question now would be your dipstick again......measurements here http://forum.etypeuk.com/viewtopic.php? ... %2F4%20ins. ..Steve

Gareth; just a thought. You could pop round the corner (2 mins as we know) and try my dipstick. Socially safe and staying outside!

Is a 4.2 stick the same as a 3.8? ..just a thought the E type stick goes straight into the block...later xj6 engine had a tube on the block for the stick to fit in..which would hold a stick up further..what do you have...photo?.....Steve

There's a thought Gareth; my car is a 4.2 so the dipstick presumably won't help? There is someone 100 yards up the road from me however who has a permanent stock of various Es, so if you want to try a 3.8 dipstick I'm sure he'd oblige.

My 62 OTS is exactly the same. All in good condition, stick marked E, same sump, add of 9 US qts with spin on Jag 9658 filter, bottom of cross hatch. Other threads on why this is the case.

Thank you for all the replies and suggestions - I haven't had the chance to get back on the case with this until now.

Does anyone out there know if the dipstick for a 3.8 is exactly the same as a 4.2?

mtnjag - interested to hear that you have the same situation with your '62 FHC. You mention other threads and I have seen some of them but I'm wondering if there's any I've missed that offer an answer to the mystery that you might be able to point me to?

There are a couple of referenced threads all the way at the bottom of your Thread. They give some explanations. I am not an expert but I know where the oil line is on the stick when I fill with the prescribed amount. I also find it takes quite a bit of settling time, more than a fuel stop, after running to reach the true "check" level.

The suggested reference Threads are always present at the bottom of a given Subject Thread. Often help out with the info you are seeking.

Good luck.

thegfb wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 18, 2021 5:15 pm

Thank you for all the replies and suggestions - I haven't had the chance to get back on the case with this until now.

Does anyone out there know if the dipstick for a 3.8 is exactly the same as a 4.2?

mtnjag - interested to hear that you have the same situation with your '62 FHC. You mention other threads and I have seen some of them but I'm wondering if there's any I've missed that offer an answer to the mystery that you might be able to point me to?

Just checked, and 3.8/.4.2 dipsticks are the same.