Moss Motors, Ltd

 Hi, my first post! Looks like a great forum.

 The other day I had a go at doing my first oil change on my Midget. It's a 1500 with an oil cooler fitted.

 It's only my seccond attempt at changing the oil on a car, and the other wasn't a classic, so please bear with me!

 I seem to have over filled it with oil, and I'm not quite sure how I've managed that. If I tell you the process I went through, please let me know if this sounds wrong:

1. Warm the engine up a bit
2. Remove the sump plug and let it all drain out
3. Take off the old oil filter and fit a new one
4. Fit a new sump plug
5. Re-fill with oil. Now on this step, the book I had said it takes 4.5 litres, so I put about 4 in, thinking I'll top the rest up later. But now going by what it says on the dip stick, it looks like I've put way too much in. As if to confirm this, I later roughly measured what I drained out of the car, and it does seem to be less than what I've put in.

Any ideas what I've done wrong? I'm assuming I didn't drain the old oil correctly?

And any ideas how to rectify the situation? Do I need to perform another complete oil change? Or do you think it would be possible to drain just some out? Would that be a bit dodgy?

Many thanks,

Alex

Right off the bat, don't forget to use some oil to wet the O-ring on the new filter before you install it, other than that, you did well. Also, don't forget to use ZDDP whenever you add/change oil!

Three things come to mind...

1. Did you run the engine for a minute or so before checking the level? This is always recommended to fill the filter. 

2, The engine is NOT the right one for that car. Perhaps it was changed out some years ago which would explain the book and dip stick dissagreement.

3. The dip stick is the wrong one. I will measure mine and get back to you this evening. 

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

'68 Sprite 1275
'76 Midget 1500

Thank you very much Davey!

Regarding ZDDP, I didn't add it, and in fact have never heard of it - thanks for the heads up! I've just looked up the oil I used, it looks as if it may be ok? http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/shop/viewproducts.aspx?plateindexID=10699 - Millers Classic 20w50. Do you think it looks ok?

I did run the engine before checking the level; I took it for a quick run up and down my lane. Then left it to settle, and checked it again. Although I perhaps haven't left it to settle long enough. I'll have another look tomorrow.

I wonder if you're onto something with the engine being not the right one for the car. The engine is marked with something like 'gold seal replacement engine'. To be honest I don't know what a gold seal engine is?

Here's a pic:

 Thanks for offering to measure your dip stick, that's very kind.

Alex,

Are you in the UK looks like a right hand drive

doug

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A nice morning drive

Hi Doug, yes I am.

Thank you to the mod who moved my post by the way!

And I also forgot to say earlier, I did put some oil around the seal of the new filter.

Thanks,

Alex

Alex,

I measured the stick, it is 5 inches (12.7 cm) from the stop at the top to the high oil mark. As for the picture of your engine, from what I can see, it looks correct, but who really knows! This was an engine originally made for the Triumph Spitfire. MG used it for the Midget because of its larger size (1500 instead of 1275), in order to produce enough power for the emission control system.

Do you know where the engine number is? It is stamped on a flange on the left side of the block immediately below spark plug #4. Try looking that number up to see if it's original. 

---

On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

'68 Sprite 1275
'76 Midget 1500

A "Gold Seal" engine is MG's terminology for a factory-built replacement engine.

Thank you both, that's very helpful.

 I'll investigate and report back.

Ok, I've done a bit of investigating.

My dip stick seems to be different to yours? Here's mine:

And on the subject of the gold seal engine number, is this where you meant:

If so, I can't see a number. Looks like it's been ground down

In case it means anything, here's a picture of the label:

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Alex

Actually, your dip stick is the same...127mm from the top flange to the high oil mark, so that's not it!

The flange under plug #4 IS where the engine number should be, but since it's a repalcement, perhaps there never WAS a number.

Back to the oil level...you had asked if you could remove some...yes! Just remove the plug and let some drain out. It will be a bit messy, but oh well.

As for the level, double check to confirm what the book calls for and the actual amount that you put in. Mind the differences between Imperial quarts and U.S. quarts!

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

'68 Sprite 1275
'76 Midget 1500

Thank you very much Davey, you've been very helpfull indeed.

Alex-

As to the missing engine serial #. My first reaction or thought was that the motor was stolen (Don't take this seriously). But it does beg the question: Why would the serial # be removed on a warrantied replacement engine when the remanufacturer would need it for I.D. in case of warranty claims? Maybe the valve cover is from a rebuilt engine and the serial # was removed to avoid confusion on warranty claims.

Please don't let this thought keep you up at night. 

 

P.S. Welcome to the forum!

LCJUTILA 

Hi Lcjutila,

It is certainly possible! I'm sure someone told me once that a gold seal engine should have been painted gold, but mine is green... which is also odd if correct.

I've got a lot of paper work for the car going back about half of the car's life, but unfortunately no clues.

Presumably the gold seal engines were fitted while the car was still relatively new, if it was factory done? It seems a bit odd to me that a car would need a replacement engine! Although we are talking about 1970s British engineering here

Thanks,

Alex

My '76 Midget will not hold the amount of oil recommended in the owners manual.  I don't know if it's an issue with the documentation or what, but I have talked to other owners who had the same experience.

Hmmm, that's very interesting, thank you Dan! That's helped put my mind at rest that nothing is up.