Going away next week to Cornwall so decided to carry out my 1st engine oil change. Had the Bongo since January and have carried out all other lubes ( gearbox, diffs etc ) but as the engine had been serviced by the garage prior to purchase there was no need to do a change. Ordered and promptly received a filter from Ian ( thank you! ) and decided to change the oil Wednesday evening. Usually, 45 mins - 1 hr and I'm done with previous vehicles .... the Bongo .... 2 and a bit hrs later still pulling my hair out!
Looked underneath for a sump plug, nope! As I'm on my drive clearance wasn't great but did find a small cut out. Tried a 19mm socket but it wouldn't go over so confused, I took some photos ( see below ) to find the strangest plug ever! Not sure if it's original although it looks like it is, haven't a clue why it has a rubber cover and even less why it has the gubbings under it. Is it deffo the engine sump plug!!!!! Worried by this and due to lack of space I decided to get the Pela pump out ( purchased to drain the gearbox ) and having read various advice on here, set about measuring the dipstick and insurting the tube to said length. Once finished I dipped the dipstick and it was completley oil free so tried to undo the filter! Several hours later ( felt like it! ) and a trip to Halfrauds to get a chain filter undoer success .. it's off!
Replaced new filter, added 5 ltrs then added another 1 ltr, started up ... all ok, left for 30 secs switched off and had my evening meal. Returned to find the oil level well over the high mark .... confused I rechecked but yep, it was over! Re checked the forum and it deffo says 6 1/2 ltrs for oil / filter .........pela back out drained of a little ... then some more and so on, sure you get the picture.
Okay, now to the reason for the above, if the dipstick is fully oil free ... surely the engine is almost empty of oil or am I incorrect? Not being sure of the grade ( semi / full etc ) I am now concerned I have mixed my 10W/40 semi with what was left in the engine ... need I worry?
I know many on here praise the Pela, but I am far from convinced of it's usefullenss if it can't empty all the oil from the engine .... I was / am worried about just how far you can insert the tube into the engine and if you push it to far in what damage / problem you could encounter?
Sorry for the long drawn out thread but .....photo's below by the way!!!

