MG Car Repair: Topping up shock absorbers and carburetters, lawn mower engines, correct oil

Question
Barrie,
1)You have been batting 100...thanks again!
What is the procedure for changing out the oil in the shocks...again remember I'm a rookie!
2) what is the procedure for adding oil to the carb MGB 1977; Stromberg 175 cd.

thanks in advance for your always great HELP!

Pete

Answer
Hi Pete.  I am not sure why you want to change the oil in the shox.  They sometimes need topping up, but I only change the oil when I am uprating them with thicker oil.  To change the oil you must remove them from the car.  To top them up there is a filler / level plug.  To access the rear shox on an MGB, there is a special access hole sealed with a large plastic grommet.  Look inside the car, not underneath.  Remember to use the correct oil.  Do not use engine oil, it will destroy the rubber seals.  I keep a small oil can with the correct oil just for this job.  In the UK we can get ISO22 hydraulic oil from an agricultural store, or to upgrade the shox we can change to ISO32.  You can also buy top-up oil for a hydraulic jack.  It is the same stuff.

Topping up the carburetters (whether SU or Stromberg) is easy, and needs to be done every 3,000 miles.  Remove the cap from the top and extract it complete with damper.  Look inside the hole and you will see a smaller tube that comes close to the top of the hole.  Fill that tube to within 1/4 of an inch, not to the brim.  When you re-insert the damper on the end of the cap, this should cause the oil in the tube to reach the brim.  The correct oil is a thin engine oil, preferably a monograde oil rather than a multi grade.  Most garden stores sell it for lawn mower engines.  I use a straight 20 weight in the UK, or a 15W/30 is OK.  Do not use a 5W/30, it is too thin when cold, so starting may be difficult.