I am still a Giardiniera Virgin and i would like to know about it's Dip Stick
I have the idea that it doesn't have the correct Dip Stick.
I've looked at the FD Ricambi list and for the Giardiniera it's different to the 500. the Dip Sick on my car looks like one for a 500 which goes in deeper.
This will mean used on a Giardiniera the Full Mark will be too low
I've ordered a new Dip Stick for a Giardiniera to be sure.
I've had the Oil Light come on and i wonder if it's because the Oil level is tooo low
Alan

The Giardi dipstick is 27 cm long, min at 25, max at 22.
I could never get mine's oil light to come off at any RPM, so on the strength of having ridden motorcycles that didn't have one, for thousands of KMs, I took out the bulb. That's just me, too young to care, too old to worry...

If the oil light just flickered on when the engine was idling, and hot, that is OK according to the 'book of words' as long as the light goes out as soon as you rev the engine past idle speed. If it is coming on when cornering, or just normal motoring, (a) the oil level could be low or, (b) when was the oil filter last cleaned out? What oil are you using? A sound choice for the standard 500 is a good quality 20/50----Castrol, Millers or Morris are just 3 good options.

Thanks Giardini,
just checked length of Dip Stick and it's correct.
Next job is change Brushes in Generator and also remove Cowling over the Cylinder Head for a good clean.
Alan

Just received Giardiniera Dip stick from FD Ricambi and there is a very big difference.
From Stop to Max it is 18.5 cms and 21 cms to Min.
Which to me says the old Dip Stick when i bought the Giardiniera is the wrong one and from a normal Fiat 500.
This would mean the Oil level was far too low when it indicated Max
Which would heat the Oil too much and OilPressure Warning Light would come on.
That makes 3.5 cms difference between the 2 Dip Sticks
Alan

Alan, I'm sorry if I misled you, if indeed I have.
I've had the Giardi since 1999, it's covered over 70K kms without a mishap traceable to lack of lubrication.
I doubt that oil T° alone would cause the light to come on in such a low tune engine anyway.
Can someone give us the lengths for an "upright" 500 engine's dipstick, please ?

Edit of above; checking various Giardiniera dipsticks for sale, they all look like mine, and unlike the one pictured by Ricambi.

https://www.ricambio.co.uk/dipstick-classic-fiat-500-1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Genuine-Fiat-500-Giardiniera-Dipstick-4115762-/301351091416

Your call...

No problem,
it's just strange that there is this difference.
I know when i push the long Dip Stick in there seems to be a resistance the last few cms like it is touching the bottom.
I'm just waiting for the delivery of a 12mm Allen socket to fit the Socket Drain Plug. I'll then drain Engine Oil and fill with fresh Oil measuring the quantity i put.
My Giardiniera is a Autobianchi one from 1974 imported from Italy perhaps there's a difference.
I also have a Lotus Elan and TVRs and i am always finding little detail differences
Alan

The new Giardiniera Dip stick i have is 23 cms from Stop to end.
The Old Dip stick removed is 27 cms from Stop to end.
Both can not be correct
Between the 2 they give a difference of 3.5 cms on Max Oil level.
A massive difference
Surely with the Giardiniera Engine Horizontal the Sump is a larger area and not soo deep so needs a shorter Dip Stick.
I fail to see that the 500 upright has the same length Dip stick as the Giardiniera horizontal/flat Engine.
I'm a bit lost on this
Alan
ps: Giardiniera sump gasket part n°PK1003
500 sump gasket part n° PK1080
So Sumps are different

Mine is 21.2 cms from the rubber 'O' rings at the top to the MAX.

as I'm replying to a Giardiniera post, perhaps someone might be interested in my very reliable '75 Giardiniera! £6500

All the mechanical end of things have been done + new fllor pans + inner sills. Just could do with some cosmetic rust (bottom of doors) + a repaint (paint is shiny but a bit sun damaged)

Storage problems = possible sale.

Car is in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

Update for info:
The 12mm Allen Key arrived today and it fits perfect in the Drain Plug socket.
With the Old Dip Stick and Oil at Max i will start Engine and run up to hot with the new Thermostat fitted. Drain Oil while still hot and measure the exact quantity of Oil that comes out.
The normal capacity should be 2.5 Litres empty.
So i'll be looking for somewhere between 2 Litres and 2.5 Litres.
If it's less than 2 Litres then the old Dip Stick is wrong and maybe the shorter new one is right.
I'm going to put a 20/50 Oil which should be correct.
Alan

Latest news,
Oil on Max line with Old Dip Stick(the long one).
Run Engine to warm up Oil( much better with new Thermostat).
Drained Oil and measured quantity and it was almost 2 Litres.
So for me that's correct with total from dry 2.5 Litres.
My new Dip stick from FDRicambi is wrong too short.
I noticed the old Oil stunk of Petrol so i am pleased i fitted a new Fuel Pump.
Just need a sunny day now to take for a run.
Alan

Good to have that cleared up, but wasn't it a long shot that the first three Giardis you checked would all have had the same, wrong dipstick ?
And could you even close the engine lid on that Ricambi long-handled one ?

Yes, the Giardi is badly susceptible to fuel draining into the crankcase through a punctured pump membrane, it's to be hoped your new pump is a twin-membrane one, with the tell-tale weep hole between the two. Safer !