New wheels

[Hoops]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Hoops</i>
Also, out of interest, how long is the standard rubber dipstick pipe? i have a new one but i think it might be too long as it does not read any oil between the lines..... Anyone have one handy or could measure one? [:D]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Anyone? [:)]

[staningrimsby]

Hoops im in leeds at the moment bud and will be home about 630, i recently purchased a new one from Robsport, i will measure it when i get home for you.

[Hoops]

Cheers, [:D] as over the weekend the engine started a bit of a rattle, then the oil light came on, straight down halfords to get some more oil.

[staningrimsby]

Sorry for the delay hoops, i have just measured the dipstick tube and from top to bottom its 42cm's, hope this helps my friend.

[Hoops]

Cheers, will have a measure later [:D]

[bmcecosse]

Sorry to say - if the engine has 'rattled' and the oil light has come on - the crankshaft bearings will now be ruined........... And very possibly the crankshaft itself will be damaged - although a new set of shells if fitted right away may save it....... You must NEVER allow the engine to run low on oil. I use a Dolomite dip stick - much better/neater - and deadly accurate.

[Hoops]

The point with the dipstick is that the old one distinegrated and did not know what length it was supposed to be. And that the dipstick tube attaches to the air box.

It still drives ok now (no change from before) after its been topped up with more oil. So it sounds like the engine is fecked? [:(]

[Odd]

Most probably so.

Never, never, never let the oil level go down to 'lights on'!

[Hoops]

Yeah i just did not realise until it came on, not noticed any oil leeks at all (no puddles or smoke) [:(]

Looks like i am screwed then as very skint atm, and even a second hand TR7 engine is going to be £200+

Would love to stick something better in but wont be able to afford it (or afford to have it off the road for months)



Is the dolomite dipstick just a straight swap?

[bmcecosse]

I had the same problem - the long dipstick tube was knackered and I had no firm guide to the correct level. The Dolomite dipstick is short - and just sticks in the hole in the block. It's easily accessible on my RHD car - maybe more of a problem on a LHD car ? Perhaps the battery will be in the way - although on the plus side - there will be no steering column in the way! The engine may be fine - although the lack of oil obviously won't have done it any good. I guess you have no option but to get on and use it - although an oil pressure gauge may be a wise investment.

[Beans]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Hoops</i>

... Is the dolomite dipstick just a straight swap? ... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Almost, dipstick tube on the Dolly engine is slightly different in length (and they have a different sump).
Easily sorted, put the car on a level surface, fill up sump with corret amount of oil, and mark the max level with a centre punch.

<center>
<font color="blue"><i>1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, now restored and back on the road)
1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)</font id="blue">
<b>[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]<u><b><font size="2"><font color="red">My Weblog</font id="red"></font id="size2"></b></u>[/url]</b></i></center>

[Hoops]

Had a look at the dipstick pipe, mine measures 41cm, and still does not register any oil, but if i remove the pipe and just rest the dipstick on the bracket on the air box, it measures half full (after i have put some oil in it before). Now i am confused [:p]

[FI Spyder]

Not only do you need the right length tube you need the right length dip stick. If your not sure you have the original in there I would drain the oil and put in four litres (if filter not changed and mark the dip stick as mentioned at what would now be the full mark. The price of oil is cheaper than a rattling engine. Heck, BP is just throwing it away.[:p]


TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[Wayne S]

Why dont you just ring S&S or Robsport, say "oi I need a dipstick and tube" and they will ensure you have the right length and dipstick for your engine. Not something you can afford to mess about over for a few quid really.

I would also drop out any oil in there, pull off the sump and clean out all the swarf that will have resulted from the "rattle" and check the crank and bearings for scoring, cracks or obvious damage. If all appears well put it back together fill with 4.5 litres of fresh clean 20w 50 plus a bit of Molyslip additive and cross your fingers for good luck!

I'd be worried about where you oil has been dissapearing to in order for the car to have run low enough for the light to come on as well.

<b>Red 4.0 Litre V8 DHC Grinnall (with huuuuuge arches...!)</b>