Peter Mears Posted August 30, 2000 Share Posted August 30, 2000 Can anyone throw some light on oil levels for Zetec 20L? What I would like to now is what level according to the dipstick have people found. The sump is a cast Raceline unit and after filling with 5L the max mark was achieved. Since then the oil level has dropped by about 3-4 mm. As far as I know this is correct as raceline suggest 4.5L. Any comments????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted August 30, 2000 Share Posted August 30, 2000 Peter, Raceline told me to fill with 5L of oil run the engine, wait 1/2 Hr then re-check and make a new mark on the Ford dipstick at the new oil level . Any drop from the original fill mark is due to filling the filter etc. Mine has now completed several thousand miles with no drop in level between oil changes. Brent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted August 30, 2000 Share Posted August 30, 2000 Making a new mark and the dip stick is new to me. I hope the previous owner who fitted the engine did that. I seem to remember that it took a 5 L can then I had to buy a 1 L bottle to top it up after running. Oil consumption is now next to nothing just a splash added in a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Mears Posted August 30, 2000 Author Share Posted August 30, 2000 So how near the max mark do either of you run?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted August 30, 2000 Share Posted August 30, 2000 Assuming the max line is right on my car I just keep it on the max. It was over filled once and it just blew some out into the catch tank and settled on the max line. When it does drop to say midway down the stick I just add a splash to top it up. Normal driving the level does not seem to move. After 1500 very hard miles to Le Mans and back it ownly needed about .25-.3 of a litre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted August 30, 2000 Share Posted August 30, 2000 The reason for the new line on the dipstick is because the sump is totally different to that fitted to the engine in the Mondeo/Escort etc.(either modified or completely new casting as the Raceline sump) and so holds more oil. The total capacity required is 5 Litres but that doesn't necessarily correspond with the standard Ford marking, hence the re-marking. Anyhow mine is full when the mark is about 6mm below the Ford line. Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted August 31, 2000 Share Posted August 31, 2000 Ok say the mark has not been moved on my car. I guess that would mean running at the ford max mark would mean having too much oil in the car (the capacity seem about right though ?). Would that cause any problems ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I.Mupferit Posted August 31, 2000 Share Posted August 31, 2000 Steve I wouldn't think it would cause you any problem as you aren't talking about a vast overfill. In any case most engines blow any excess out of the crankcase breather so in some respects it is self regulating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Mears Posted September 1, 2000 Author Share Posted September 1, 2000 Thanks for all the info, after blowing up the last zetec just wanted to make sure. Word of warning, my first second hand engine lost vast amounts of oil through valve stem seals. We did not notice this because the level just kept going back to the same place even after filling and we asumed it was finding its right level. After just 1800 miles the bottom end gave up on the Le Sept 2000. The good news is a new short block from fords is quite cheap. Even though still running in, having the uprated cams fitted has progressed the engine to another level. Thanks to James & Ruth Whiting for all their advise, effort and support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Wong1697456877 Posted September 1, 2000 Share Posted September 1, 2000 Peter, Good to hear that you're back on the road and even faster! All casualties from le Sept fixed then. Roll on 2001! Alex Wong alex.wong@lotus7club.co.uk www.alexwong.net Home : 44-(0)121-440 6972 Fax : 44-(0)121-440 4601 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Mears Posted September 1, 2000 Author Share Posted September 1, 2000 Well Alex, after driving VDU I had to go for even more power!! Good grief, holidays are becoming a bit expensive these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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