Re: alfa-digest V7 #1233 - Alfa Dip Stick

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

    The dipsticks on my 91, 87 and 82 Spider Veloces are all identical.  All 
are steel bent into a loop at the top and have two holes 2 quarts apart.  
There is a black rubber "cork" or stopper near the top that seals the top of 
the dip stick tube.
    Measuring from the point on the stopper that bottoms on the top of the 
dip stick tube, the full hole is 19 5/16 inches and the low mark is 20 1/2 
inches.
    Another way to mark the dip stick is to completely drain the system 
including the cam galleys.  You should drain the cam galleys with a turkey 
baster every other oil change anyway to get the dirty oil out.  Maybe even 
drop the lower pan to clean the crud out of there.  Fill the cam galleys and 
fill the oil filter half full before putting it on (this keeps the sudden 
surge of oil from "shocking" the filter and gets oil pressure quicker).  Add 
5 1/2 quarts (including the amount you put in the cam galleys and filter), 
start the engine to fill the oil filter and allow everything to drain back.  
The oil should now be at the low mark on the dipstick, so mark it with a file 
or drill a small hole (which will hold oil and make it easier to read).  Add 
another quart and mark the mid point if desired.  Now add the final quart and 
mark the top or full level.  This works especially well if you have been 
playing musical oil pans and/or mixing and matching dip stick locations among 
the various configurations Alfa offered.
Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City


In a message dated 12/21/1999 9:57:40 PM Central Standard Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:

<< 
 Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 14:12:39 EST
 From: Pottree@domain.elided
 Subject: spider dipstick ???
 
 I've noticed that our "new" 91 USA spider's dipstick does not have any level 
 markings indicated.  This is something I've never seen before.  First guess 
 was that the markings are there but the eyes are older than when using the 
 stick on the 71 8+ years ago and more, but a check against another set of 
 eyeballs showed the same result: no markings.  
 
 Next thought is the PO lost the real dipstick and replaced it with a 
 substitute.  The handle has a plastic fitting unlike my previous spider or 
 any Alfa I've ever had/seen.  If this is the case, how do I know the stick 
is 
 long enough to tell me what I want to know?  Or, could this be an 
improvement 
 from the factory?  
 
 I don't want to guess about the oil level, that's a basic basic -- plus, I'm 
 just getting to know and run the car and I don't know it's unique oil 
 consumption habits.
 
 Anyone with a 91 spider who can give a description of the dipstick?  
 Markings?  Length?  Plastic fitting on the top made to insure locking in 
 place inside the tube?
 
 Charlie
 
 LA, CA, USA
  
 84 GTV6
 87 Milano FOR SALE
 91 Spider
  >>

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End of alfa-digest V7 #1237
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