What is the oil capacity in a 1972 beetle?

Answer 1

A 1972 beetle came with different sized motors, anything from 1200cc to 1600cc motors were available to the customers (although in North America most were 1600cc). All stock engines held about the same amount of engine oil. It is important to remember "NOT TO OVERFILL A VW ENGINE" as damge to oil seals and thus engine could result. To little oil will seize the engine. Keep the oil level between the marks on the dip stick. Usually I'll put in 2.5 litres or 5.3 US pints per engine. If you're in doubt, add 2 litres or 2 US quarts (4 US pints), check the dip stick, add extra oil until the oil level is between the two marks on the dip stick. Run the engine for while, and turn it off. After engine has cooled down, recheck oil level on the dip stick (make sure dip stick is all the way down and clean each time). Oil level must be between the marks. On the VW, between the top and bottom marks on the dip stick is aboout one litre or one US quart, which means that if you're just below the 'ADD' mark, one litre or one US quart will put you just below the full mark.

If your engine has been modified, i.e. an external oil cooler added, or a larger oil sump added, then more engine oil may be required. Check with manufacturer for specs in additional engine oil required.

NOTE. it is aways a good idea to check engine oil levels each morning before starting the engine. Air cooled engines tend to expand and contract more than water cooled engines, therefore more prone to oil leakage. Having a VW engine, without some oil seepage over time, is indeed a pleasure.

I am a VW master registered technician with over 40 years of experience. In all old style VW beetle engines that haven't been modified 3 us quarts is the norm.

Answer 2

2500 ml.

The direct equivalent is 5.7 pints, but that's such a weird number...for the sake of your main seal, the best thing to do is put 2.5 quarts of oil in.