Engines With Dry Sump Tank - Except Csr 200 / 260; Engines With Dry Sump Bell Tank And Swirl Tower - Csr 200 / 260 Models Only; Supercharger Oil Level Checking And Maintenance (For 620 R Only); Coolant Check & Top-Up - Caterham SEVEN Owner's Handbook Manual

Engines with dry sump tank - except CSR 200 /
260
Start the engine and run it until the normal
operating temperature achieved (90-100°C). Keep
the engine running, open the dry sump tank cap
and look inside, you will find two baffle levels with
centre holes. In normal condition the oil should run
approximately 5mm below the middle baffle level.
Top up the oil if required
Engines with dry sump bell tank and swirl tower
- CSR 200 / 260 Models only

Start the engine and run it until the normal
operating temperature is achieved (90-
100°C).

Switch off the engine.

Unscrew the tank cap from the top of the swirl
tower. Wipe clean the dipstick provided
before dipping, this will ensure that the
correct indication is achieved. Be sure the
dipstick fully home when dipping.

The oil should be at the maximum level at all
times. (As a guide the difference between min
and max is approximately 1/2 litre).

If oil is required it should be added via the oil
filler cap on the top of the engine and must be
of the correct specification for your engine
type. (See technical data).

It is advisable to add a small amount at a time
and recheck by repeating above procedures
until the correct level is achieved.

Care should be taken not to overfill the
engine with oil.

Overfilling this system will result in oil being
blown out into the oil catch tank the next time
the vehicle is driven.

Always take off the dipstick from the swirl
tank and make sure the oil filler cap and swirl
tank cap are fitted back in place before
restarting the engine.

Any spilt oil should be wiped up immediately.
NOTE: With this system the oil level must be
checked within one minute of the engine being
switched off otherwise the oil will start to drain
back into the engine and a false reading will be
obtained. Should this be the case restart the
engine again and let it run for approximately
one minute before repeating the checking
procedure.
Supercharger oil level checking and
maintenance (For 620 R only)
To check the oil level on the supercharger system
requires the engine to be running and held between
2 – 3000rpm. The correct oil level is between the
min and max markings of the dipstick measured
36
with the thread of the cap fully engaged. Check the
oil system regularly.
IMPORTANT!
Always keep the oil level between minimum and
maximum.
Overfilling the canister may cause oil leaks from the
oil canister and too little may cause damage to the
supercharger.

Figure 20: Coolant expansion bottle

Coolant check & top-up
The coolant level should be checked weekly when
the system is cold and topped up with appropriate
coolant (see technical data). Top up to the 'MAX'
mark shown on the exterior of the reservoir. If the
level falls appreciably during a short period;
suspect leakage or overheating and contact
Caterham to arrange for factory trained technician
to examine the vehicle.

Anti-freeze

The anti-freeze content of the coolant must be
maintained all the year round. Caterham use Millers
Alpine Red and Ford Superplus premium (ready
mixed), however, if a water/anti-freeze mix is
substituted for any reason a minimum of 50% anti-
freeze is required. To ensure that its anti-corrosion
properties are retained, the anti-freeze content
should be checked by Caterham once a year. The
coolant should be completely renewed every four
years.
WARNING!

DO NOT use anti-freeze to any specification
other than that recommended (see technical
data: recommended fluid specification).

DO NOT add rust inhibitors or other additives
to the coolant – these may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine components.