Dipstick Dilemma

DazbodS2 · Post by **DazbodS2** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 4:46 pm

Hi

Having checked the oil on my recently purchased S2 for the first time, and following a service. I note the oil level on the dipstick is under reading by about 20mm below the bottom of the hatched area. The engine was filled with oil by volume rather than via the dipstick. This has raised questions over the dipstick itself.

Can anyone tell me the length of the dipstick from the tip to the stopper? On my dipstick it is nearly 10". I also note it is not straight below the stopper with a bend about 4" below the stopper - is this normal? Furthermore, having inserted the dipstick fully home to the stopper, bending the Dipstick to fit into the retaining clip forces the dipstick to pop out of its recess by about 10mm. Any thoughts appreciated.

Post by **mgcjag** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 4:57 pm

Hi ....whats your name.... have a look at this post it may help....also if you search on this forum on dipstick there are quite a few posts.....do you have the correct dipstick and is it inserted correctly they can bend when pushed in and not give a correct reading.. it should be straight
viewtopic.php?t=964&postdays=0&postorde ... k&start=10

christopher storey · Post by **christopher storey** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 5:09 pm

If your sump was replenished with the correct 14.5 pints , then the level you have is correct. In the sump, there is a horizontal tray which forms a baffle. It has a hole in it through which the dipstick goes. It is quite common for people to insert the stick at a slight angle, and on meeting resistance , to push hard ! This is the stick meeting the baffle, and the consequence is a bent stick which will never a. fit correctly or b. go all the way down or c. read correctly. Straighten the stick as best you can, and you should then find that it will go down all the way without any pressure needing to be applied, and produce a sensible reading

Post by **Heuer** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 5:36 pm

Also memorise (or take a photo) of where the dipstick level is with the correct volume of oil and you will then be confident not to over fill regardless of what the stick says.

288gto · Post by **288gto** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 6:09 pm

The pictures seem to be missing from the other post.
This is what you should have. The tape measurement is from the bezel on the dipstick. Note the letter "E" mentioned.
I have this photo as AltyIan had a similar problem with his.On his the bezel or stop had actually come loose when the dipstick was re chromed.
I hope this helps.

Simon

DazbodS2 · Post by **DazbodS2** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 8:48 pm

Steve & Dave

Many thanks for taking the time to respond very helpful- I tried to attach a photo by clicking on the "Img" button but couldn't seem to get it to work! The photo of the dipstic looks identicle to mine. It sounds like the bend in the stick may be the problem. This may also explain why when I try to put the top of the stick in the retaining clip the stopper pops up away from the engine block. Appologies for poor IT skills but how do I attach a photo?

Darren.

Post by **mgcjag** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 9:58 pm

Hi Darren....have a look in the Welcom section.....how to post photos.. all the best

288gto · Post by **288gto** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 10:01 pm

Darren, ref posting a picture, it's probably easier to use something like, photobucket or tinypic. Upload your pictures and then copy and paste the relevant [IMG]........[IMG] part.There is a guide on the forum somewhere. The pic above is mine, and if I can do it anyone can haha.

Simon

DazbodS2 · Post by **DazbodS2** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 10:06 pm

Thanks Simon - I was just about to try using Photobucket having just sorted out uploading Avatars via the same means. If all else fails I will call in my 9 year old to sort it!

288gto · Post by **288gto** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 10:08 pm

mgcjag wrote:Hi Darren....have a look in the Welcom section.....how to post photos.. all the best

There you go.

A quick word of warning though, if you have pictures of shall we say a personal nature, don't click " upload all" as someone did on another forum much to the amusement of other members until someone kindly pointed out he might want to keep that section of his album private!

Simon

DazbodS2 · Post by **DazbodS2** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 10:44 pm

Finally sorted the photo out and without needing to call the kids in to assist - so no longer feeling quite such an IT dipstick. And on the subject of dipsticks here is mine looking somewhat bent, so if I understand correctly this should be straight?

Tony · Post by **Tony** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 10:53 pm

I had this problem on my series 1 and thought the oil level was low. It turns out that the dip stick is bent it misses the hole in the oil surg plate and skids over the top of it. You think the oil is low but it is just that the stick is not going down in the sump. Straighten the stick and make sure it goes in correctly. If you have to force it a bit, you have missed the hole in the surg plate.

You may have already realised this, but I thought my experience might help.
That is assuming the series two is the same as the series One

DazbodS2 · Post by **DazbodS2** » Sun Apr 03, 2016 11:24 pm

Thanks Tony - I am fairly sure I am experiencing the same problem.

JagWaugh · Post by **JagWaugh** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 1:22 pm

On a related note, I have twice seen Dipticks where the stop collar (welded to the stick to stop the dipstick going too far into the sump) weld had broken, which results in the oil level _showing_ at the hatched level, when in fact the oil level is dangerously low.

Post by **Heuer** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 1:24 pm

There should also be a felt sealing washer on the dipstick - without it goes in too far and gives a wrong reading.

iani · Post by **iani** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 3:09 pm

Heuer wrote:There should also be a felt sealing washer on the dipstick - without it goes in too far and gives a wrong reading.

I wondered about this and looked for it in the S2 parts catalogue, can't see it. The "washer" on the dipstick isn't dished either, it is on other cars I've had that use a felt washer.

Post by **mgcjag** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:28 pm

Hi Ian....had a look in tne parts catalogue and it shows a "Dipstick assembly" so wonder if this contains the fibre washer....strange though...

iani · Post by **iani** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 4:42 pm

mgcjag wrote:Hi Ian....had a look in tne parts catalogue and it shows a "Dipstick assembly" so wonder if this contains the fibre washer....strange though...

Do you have the fibre washer on your car Steve?

mark10337 · Post by **mark10337** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 5:06 pm

It's a felt washer. Part No. C17585, about ?1 from many of the main suppliers.

iani · Post by **iani** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 5:32 pm

mark10337 wrote:It's a felt washer. Part No. C17585, about ?1 from many of the main suppliers.

Thanks Mark, I note that both SNGB & Manners both say this is for Saloon cars though, I suspect their dipsticks are shaped to hold this.

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