Oil in SU carb

[Kromida]

I have a 1.3 petrol Maestro with a SU/ HIF44 carb. I want to ask:
1. How much oil do I have to keep in it? (Up to the top or just above the piston)
2. What type of oil- standard motor oil, or some special oil?
3. What are the consequences if there's too much, or too little oil in the carb?
Any help highly appreciated.

[SimonR]

I have a 1.3 petrol Maestro with a SU/ HIF44 carb. I want to ask:
1. How much oil do I have to keep in it? (Up to the top or just above the piston)
2. What type of oil- standard motor oil, or some special oil?
3. What are the consequences if there's too much, or too little oil in the carb?
Any help highly appreciated.

Hi there

1. Keep it topped up but in reality you'll probably notice that you loose about half of the oil very quickly and if it's over the piston that's fine.
2. There's a lot of debate on this subject! Austin Rover recommends engine oil, others I know swear by ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid). Don't use Olive oil.....
3. Too much: No problem
Too little: poor starting, running and accelleration.

[G51 NAV]

Must admit I'm an ATF man. I put engine oil into the dashpot of my 1.3 and, although it sounds daft, it affected performance. I had my garage drain it and replace it with ATF during a service and the difference was noticeable.

[Russ]

After changing the oil in my metro turbo carb to SAE30 ,I couldnt believe how well it ran.Ive always used engine oil before but the new oil made it run and perform excellent.
Ive also heard jack oil is good in them but never tried it.

Russ

[threelitre]

Engine oil for me (but always a xW-40 grade). Tried ATF but did not notice a difference.

On the HIF carbs the oil should only be filled inside the inner tube, all that is above that will simply run down into the carburettor and will eventually be burned. I fill them with the damper still inside the tube, as they'll not be overfilled then. I also found it hardly ever needs topping up on an HIF compared to the old HS crabs.

As long as there is a resistance from the oil when trying to push the little damper back in, then there is enough oil in them.

Regards,

Alexander

Edit: the oil used should not be too thin, as this will lead to hesistance on pickup due to leaning out of the mixture on acceleration.

[Kromida]

Thank you all, really helpful! ;]