Broken dipstick

[JohnD]

I did an oil & filter change on the C5 this morning and found the final six inches of the dipstick missing. It's doubtful whether the dipstick has been pulled out more than a couple of times since it was last replaced because of the same fault. Why do they break, and what happens to the broken end? Does it need removing from the sump? Anybody know if an old type metal blade similar to the XUD dipstick is available?

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi John, this seems to be a common occurrence - the DW10CTED engines had a replacement part issued for the dipstick (1174G9) on this engine. It won't get past the gauze in the sump, so you can forget it - I think Citroen used to retrieve these by removing the sump to fish it out, but stopped soon as they didn't think it would do any harm and it was a common failing!

DW10BTED4 ones are different and don't suffer with the same issue AFAIK.

[JohnD]

Thanks for that Marc. It's given me peace of mind to know that a chunk of dipstick cluttering up the sump won't do any damage.

[JohnD]

Spoke too soon. Turned out to be more difficult than I expected. The break in the dipstick was so far up the tube that the broken piece didn't fall into the sump. It touched bottom but remained standing in the tube. The new dipstick just wouldn't go in. Finally got it removed by forcing down a length of 3mm galvanized rod with a well-serrated end on it. Once the rod was pulled out, it brought the broken dipstick out with it.

[GiveMeABreak]

Well done John, it's another example of a bloody ridiculous design.

[RichardW]

On the 1.6 the dipstick wants to rotate as you push it in. I imagine that if you force it down without letting it rotate it will soon shear off (which was a common problem on early engines with plastic sticks).

[Jobeau]

I have a C5 Tourer reg in March 2013 and this is the second broken dipstick I have suffered, After the first I was always careful about being smooth and slow when checking the oil. Just had it to a private Citroen mechanic for a service and suffered my second shortened dipstick. Need to have words.

[white exec]

I'd be inclined to fabricate myself a steel one, if those fragile plastic ones are the only option.
Not difficult to do. Maybe even find a steel dipstick of suitable size, and re-mark it.

[JohnD]

I'd be inclined to fabricate myself a steel one, if those fragile plastic ones are the only option.
Not difficult to do. .

That's exactly what I did do. I made one out of a length of 3mm galvanized wire. I borrowed a C5 plastic dipstick and measured for length and high and low marks.

[white exec]

That's a great job, and it will probably outlast the car!

[sonerpc]

After I received the tool I noticed that the bottom was broken from the orange floor.
it stands like a chronic problem.I bought new and the room was broken, so the big piece was broken.why have they done something solid

[van ordinaire]

So they learned nothing from the fact that 20 years ago the plastic handles broke.

[white exec]

A d.i.y. replacement for a crumbled dipstick handle, courtesy of a standard Hozelock fitment and blanking cap.

[van ordinaire]

I like that (wasn't even aware that there WAS as blanking cap for such fittings - nor have I seen black ones) & will bear it in mind if my repairs to the Xantia's have not been successful.

What irritates me though is that dipsticks used to have handles formed by bending them in a loop & that design proved entirely satisfactory for 50-odd years, then somebody had a "better" idea, for something that couldn't actually be improved on &, inevitably, came up with something more complicated & expensive - that doesn't work!

[white exec]

The ½" blanking cap was just a general plumbing 'throwaway' item - the sort of thing that you find in new plumbing fittings to stop stuff falling in. I have a bag of several of them.

I think you're right, Van. For decades, no-one ever made any money from aftermarket/replacement dipsticks, and then someone thought "I know, what if we . . .".