Do
It Yourself
Instructions
for basic repairs and maintenance for A-types
Oil
change
Permanent
checking of the oil level and oil change after certain term of exploitation are
the main things in maintaining our flat twins. Your engine will last as long as
much care you take about its greasing (of course, if used under "normal" conditions).
Air cooled flat engines have increased oil consumption compared to "normal" engines,
which is of course more expressed in high mileage cars. On the other hand, specific
constructive parameters of 2cv engine (crankshaft etc.) cause hard damages if
the engine is used with too low oil level. It is not going too far if you check
the oil level before every drive, and with high mileage cars it should be obligate!
Before
changing oil in your car, you should exactly know what are you going to do with
used oil: keep in mind that one liter of used oil pollutes ONE MILLION liters
of water!
And
finally, how to change oil:
- it is very important
to let out the largest possible amount of used oil. For this reason,
you should take a ride for about 30 minutes (harder is better!) in order to
increase the temperature of the oil: higher temperature means lower viscosity
level, so the oil will leak out easier.
- prepare appropriate
dish for used oil and put it under the car.
- open the engine oil
filler cap, in order to lower the vacuum which causes slower leaking of oil.
- unscrew sump drain
plug on the lower side of the engine with 21 mm socket wrench; don't lose
copper seal plate otherwise you're in trouble!
- valve covers keep significant
amount of oil: you should remove them in order to let this oil out too; you
can use this opportunity to check the clearance of the valves / rockers (instructions
can also be found on this page). Just remember that you should also
put the dish under valve covers before removing them.
- you should change
oil filter every second time you change the oil (old 2cv and Ami
6 don't have any)
- important
note: there's a tip for diagnosis of crankshaft's condition!
If oil from valve covers contains rough metal sawdust, the crankshaft is going
to break! Don't ask me about this tip, I've heard of it from some mechanics
with experience.
- when old oil has leaked,
put the valve covers back (attach rubber gaskets in proper way!) and install
the drain plug in its place (remember the copper seal plate!). Tight it hard
(but don't break it :).
- pour a new oil through
the engine oil filler tube: 2.7 l for 602 ccm engine, and 2 l for 425 ccm
engine.
- check the oil level
- start the engine and
check the sealing on drain plug and valve covers.
- do not forget to tightly
seal the oil filler cap
- don't pollute environment
with used oil!
- have a nice drive!