Morris Minor Owners Club

I filled my dashpot up with oil as it was quite low yesterday. I've noticed this a few times now - everytime I fill it up the car runs a bit lumpy like its stuttering ever so slightly for a while afterwards. Could I be using the wrong oil or something? I put 3 in 1 in it.

Perhaps you put too much oil in?

It only needs a teaspoonful now and again. I like 3 in 1, but if you think that is making it 'gasp' - try 20W50.

Maybe I have been putting too much in, it's hard to see so I just put in what I think. Yes it's like a "gasp" BMC, like the feeling when you try to accelorate without any choke when its cold.

I improved my TR7 by putting 20W50 in the dashpots. It was 'gasping' quite badly until it was right up to temperature.

The correct oil level is just above the inner ring which the piston fits in.

I use 20/50 myself but it has to be good quality (here I go again) as the last cheap engine oil I bought years ago, when used for carb damping, made the exhaust smoke and gave lurching, rough accelleration.

3 in 1 is reserved for door locks and hinges on my car

excess should come out hole in top if yours has a hole, 13 mm above top of rod/piston is correct level

Aye, but you can't stick a ruler down there! As long as there is some oil in there for piston damping it will be OK.

A visual inspection is fine.

If you overfill the dashpot it is designed so that the excess will leak into the carb until it finds the correct level
Check that the piston rises and falls correctly

I find if I over fill the dash pot, I get quite hungry as it takes several weeks to push the plunger back down and screw on the cap.