Welded sump oil capacity.

[Mark Tearney]

My 2.0l Zetec has a cut and welded sump, im assuming this is a common way of increasing ground clearance.

If so would the dip stick have been modified also? 

Oil is sitting at its lowest mark but I'm hesitant to top up without advice.

Hope someone can help.

[Kingster]

I’ll await confirmation, but to my knowledge the marker is to gauge the level rather than capacity. So if you had a bigger sump the capacity would obviously increase if filled to the same level - and decrease for a smaller sump.

The level marker is (again wait until someone else confirms this) to keep the oil at the correct level relative to the crank. 

I use a Scholar sump in my Blacktop Zetec that is effectively a shortened and baffled all-alloy sump (off a silvertop) and I’ve always used the std dipstick markers with no ill effects to the engine. 

[AdamR]

1 minute ago, Chris King - Webmaster and Joint North East AO said:

The level marker is (again wait until someone else confirms this) to keep the oil at the correct level relative to the crank.  

And more importantly, the oil pickup pipe!

OP, do you have a catch tank? When unsure of engine spec / modifications like this, a good way is to overfill by half a litre or so, if there's too much oil it'll end up in the catch tank and then you'll find the 'correct' level.

[stephenh]

I agree with Chris, the "correct" level is the correct level relative to the crankshaft, so you only have to modify the dipstick if the shortened sump has been so shortened that the dipstick can no long fit, ie it cannot be seated properly in its seating at the top of the dipstick pipe. so if it will go all the way down, then use the original dipstick markings for filling.

You can get a similar problem with sumps which haven't necessarily been shortened, but do have baffling added. If the dipstick fouls on the baffling then you need to shorten the 'stick so it will still seat ok, of if the correct oil level is below the level of the baffling, or only just above it, then you need to cut or drill a hole in the baffle sufficient to allow the dipstick to pass through it.

[Mark Tearney]

After a closer inspection of the dip stick it definitely looks like its been cut and shortened.

I put a small amount of oil in and its now on its top mark.

I probably should of made the title of the post clearer.

My worry was  erratic oil pressure, one minute its at 2 bar on idle then it increases to around 4 bar.

I took the car out for a gentle run keeping a close eye on the gauge, its sitting around 4 bar when running at approx 3000rpm.

Been new to these cars i guess its a bit of a learning curve and getting used to the quirks and running a diesel for years.

[AdamR]

Jumpy gauge could be an earthing issue.

[Mark Tearney]

34 minutes ago, AdamR said:

Jumpy gauge could be an earthing issue.

Plenty to keep me busy over the next few weeks, going to get the car on ramps and go over everything bit by bit.

I was expecting a few niggles to be honest, ive a comprehensive folder of receipts etc from the vendor of the car, looks like it started life with a pinto engine but no mention of the change over to the Zetec, and no idea about the sump alterations.

It'll be getting changed that's for sure.

[CosKev]

Might be worth checking what they've done to the pick up pipe,it could be too close to the sump,so struggling to pick up oil

[Mark Tearney]

It sits at good pressure one minute then either rises or drops at the same engine speed even at idle, wondering possible earth fault as i noticed when i switched off the lights yesterday the speedo raised to 140mph then back to 0!

[CosKev]

Gremlins!

[Mark Tearney]

After checking a few wires I'm hoping I've cured the issue, slightly loose connection to the oil pressure switch.

Its now sitting at 4 bar cold at idle dropping to 2 bar when at temp and 3.5 at around 3000rpm.

Apologies for the dumb arsed questions but this is a new venture for me and been a complete novice to kit cars its a learning curve, to be honest I've avoided working on cars in general for years as i find them far to complicated, give me a mk2 escort with a X flow as a road car any day.

 

 

Any idea on tyre pressures?    

[stephenh]

18 to 20 psi, depending on tyre size and type, for normal road use.

[Kingster]

As StephenH said for tyres. I remember getting some fitted and the fitter said “how much? You sure!”  

[Mark Tearney]

2 hours ago, stephenh said:

18 to 20 psi, depending on tyre size and type, for normal road use.

195/50/15 Toyo's for road use, but will be trying track days.

May buy a set of wheels and slicks for track days.

 

[stephenh]

Well for road use I would try using 20 psi, then drop it to 18 and see what the difference in feel is. You will in all probability find the lower pressure gives more feel, and when the tyres are warm more grip. On track I don't think that many people using that tyre size would use more than 18psi.

Remember if those pressures sound very low, that you have a very light car on quite big tyre footprints.

Also, as the tyres warm up the pressure rises. Hence track pressures tend to be a bit lower than road use.