K-Series DS oil capacity and filter type

[Chris71]

Coming up to the first oil change on my Seven. It's a 2001 Roadsport A with a Minitser built dry-sumped 1.6 K-Series. Can anyone tell me:

How much oil will I need?
What viscosity and any recommendations on brand etc?
What oil filter do I need? I gather they're the same as the base engine, but is there just the one 1.6 K-Series or do I need a specific model or year if I buy it as a Rover part from the local motor factors? Actually, need to get a couple of Caterham specific bits from the factory, any idea how they're likely to compare on price?

[7SS]

It'll take about 4 1/2 litres. Caterham recommend Comma motorsport 5/50w. Allegedly Halfords own brand is the same stuff but my local motor factors is cheaper unless halfoeds have a buy one get one free deal on.
Filter is standard K series, reference number 713 iirc.

[Chris71]

What's the process of changing the oil in a DS system? Is it more or less just 'drain the oil, swap the filters, refill the oil'?

[Incorrigible]

Chris71 said:

What's the process of changing the oil in a DS system? Is it more or less just 'drain the oil, swap the filters, refill the oil'?

Yeah pretty much, you need to drain the sump and and the bell tank. You'll need some instant gasket for the ally plate on the bell tank, also needs to be completely clean (free of oil) before re-assembly. You can drain the bell tank by removing the oil pipe (bottom of the tank-front of engine (off at the engine end so you can direct the hose into a suitable pot)) but that will leave a little oil still in the bell tank

[Chris71]

Ok, so materials-wise, absolutely all I need is:

Approx 6 litres of oil (will get some spare too just in case...)
Standard 1.6 Rover K-Series oil filter
Some instant gasket

Any tips on the procedure?

Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 21st October 11:29

[allen l]

Had a quick look in the owners manual and read that the 16v with dry sump needs 6 liters of oil.

[Chris71]

allen l said:

Had a quick look in the owners manual and read that the 16v with dry sump needs 6 liters of oil.

Thanks. Gonna to get some in spare in case I see any consumption. It's been remarkably good so far - not used a drop in nearly a 1000 miles including a track day.

[fergus]

Chris71 said:

Ok, so materials-wise, absolutely all I need is:

Approx 6 litres of oil (will get some spare too just in case...)
Standard 1.6 Rover K-Series oil filter
Some instant gasket

Any tips on the procedure?

Chris
Assuming you have the std caterham DS oil tank/bellhousing, there is likely to be an oil temp sender drilling int he side of the base of the bellhousing. Personally, I undo this to drain the oil. I've never needed more than 4litres, although I don't drain the *entire* system, but do prime the filter prior to screwing on a new one.

I spin the engine over with the main HT lead disconnected to get oil pressure, prior to firing the car up again. Either way, there will be enough residual oil in the system to run for 10 secs (at least) prior to the new oil getting pumped round into the oil pump and through the oil galleries.

It's extremely simple to do.

[Hedgetrimmer]

I ended up buying a pump (from machine mart - £35) to pull the oil out through the top of the tower. This is much easier and cleaner than trying to take the plate off the bottom of the d/s tower. Draining the tower will only get rid of 3 ltrs as there will still be 1.5 ltrs in the engine when you turn it off. This drains into the sump. I take the scavange pipe (big pipe that runs to the back of the dry sump pump) off the sump and then feed the suction pump pipe into the sump to clean out the residual oil.

If you are running an Apollo tank you will need approx 3 ltrs more oil. If running an oil cooler you will need another 1 ltr.

You will need to prime the Apollo after refilling by turning the engine over without the sparks plugs in.

Also remember to put at least 1.5 ltrs of oil into the engine via the oil filler cap on the cam cover. Put the remaining 3ltrs into the top of the D/s tower. Others will note that the oil will probably drain down into the sump anyway if you only full from the tower but I seem to remember that there is an issue if you do not fill the sump as well using the cam cover cap.

Caterham recommend that you slightly overfill the engine and allow it to find its own level by dumping the excess into the catch tank. I fully empty my system each time ie d/s tower and sump and then fill it with 4.75 ltrs. This leaves me with a small amount of oil in the catch tank that I drain off.