• Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 554

Topic: Oil capacity?

I did not think much about it, and this is my third oil change, but today I changed the oil and realized it takes three and a half quarts of oil. What's up with that? Do I have the wrong dipstick (looks stock), or did they change the sump capacity in later replacement engines? With three quarts added and let it sit for a few minutes, the oil level shows up about a quarter inch shy of the full mark.

Any ideas? Car runs great, so no problems that I'm aware of.

Paul

Last edited by Altema (2010-06-08 19:40:35)

  • From: Canada
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 630

Re: Oil capacity?

External oil filter/cooler or sump?

Otherwise it should be 2 1/2 always...

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  • From: Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Registered: 2005-09-10
  • Posts: 2,318

Re: Oil capacity?

Altema wrote:

I did not think much about it, and this is my third oil change, but today I changed the oil and realized it takes three and a half quarts of oil. What's up with that?

Any ideas? Car runs great, so no problems that I'm aware of.

Paul

I think that it's time to purchase a VW repair manual (Haynes, Bentley, Muir, Chilton, etc.)! wink

- Nick

1979 Super Beetle Convertible
  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 554

Re: Oil capacity?

No external oil filter or cooler, and no additional sump, but I actually have an additional sump on hold at a local shop right now.

I do have a genuine VW manual. What I was thinking is that, since this engine is a relatively recent VW/Audi aftermarket engine, perhaps they made the case with a larger sump? I do recall reading about such cases, but of course I can't find that info now that I want it. My circumstance has to be due to either a larger integrated sump or a wrong dipstick. How long should a dipstick be?

Paul


Paul

  • From: Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Registered: 2005-09-10
  • Posts: 2,318

Re: Oil capacity?

Altema wrote:

No external oil filter or cooler, and no additional sump, but I actually have an additional sump on hold at a local shop right now.

I do have a genuine VW manual. What I was thinking is that, since this engine is a relatively recent VW/Audi aftermarket engine, perhaps they made the case with a larger sump? I do recall reading about such cases, but of course I can't find that info now that I want it. My circumstance has to be due to either a larger integrated sump or a wrong dipstick. How long should a dipstick be?

According to www.cip1.com...the three dipsticks they offer seem to be the same length (the part that goes into the dipstick tube)...with the only differences being the part that is outside the tube..

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp … C10%2D5428
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp … C10%2D5436
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp … C10%2D5437

I think that whether someone has a larger or deeper sump or not...the dipstick is the same length.  Larger sumps on air-cooled VW's are generally deeper (reducing ground clearance).  The "deepness" of the sump does not require a different length dipstick.

- Nick

1979 Super Beetle Convertible
  • Registered: 2009-06-25
  • Posts: 554

Re: Oil capacity?

Bug In My Nose wrote:

I think that whether someone has a larger or deeper sump or not...the dipstick is the same length.  Larger sumps on air-cooled VW's are generally deeper (reducing ground clearance).  The "deepness" of the sump does not require a different length dipstick.

- Nick

Makes sense... minimum oil level would be the same regardless of capacity. Thanks for the input!

Paul