Broken dipstick
Moderator: RichardW
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Broken dipstick
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?
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Re: Broken dipstick
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.
DW10BTED4 ones are different and don't suffer with the same issue AFAIK.
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Marc
Marc
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Re: Broken dipstick
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.
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Re: Broken dipstick
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.
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Re: Broken dipstick
Well done John, it's another example of a bloody ridiculous design.
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Marc
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Re: Broken dipstick
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).
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Re: Broken dipstick
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.
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Re: Broken dipstick
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.
Not difficult to do. Maybe even find a steel dipstick of suitable size, and re-mark it.
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Re: Broken dipstick
white exec wrote: ↑07 Apr 2019, 17:46 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.
2010 C5 X7 VTR+Nav 160
1998 1.5 Saxo
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and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S - x 1752
Re: Broken dipstick
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
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
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Re: Broken dipstick
So they learned nothing from the fact that 20 years ago the plastic handles broke.
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- white exec
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and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S - x 1752
Re: Broken dipstick
A d.i.y. replacement for a crumbled dipstick handle, courtesy of a standard Hozelock fitment and blanking cap.
Chris
- van ordinaire
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'97 Jeep Cherokee Limited - the red one
'99 Cadillac Seville STS
'96 Cadillac Eldorado ETC
& numerous what might be described as abandoned projects! - x 405
Re: Broken dipstick
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!
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!
Citroens:-
'81 2CV Club
'05 C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS
& the numerous "abandoned projects"
'81 2CV Club
'05 C15
'97 Xantia Exclusive estate
others:-
Jeep XJ Cherokees x 3
'96 Cadillac Eldorado
'99 Cadillac STS
& the numerous "abandoned projects"
- white exec
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1992 BX19D Millesime hatch LHD
previously 1989 BX19RD, 1998 ZX 1.9D auto, 2001 Xantia 1.8i auto
and lots of Rovers before that: 1935 Ten, 1947 Sixteen, 1960 P5 3-litre, 1966 P6 2000, 1972 P6 2000TC, and 1975 P6B 3500S - x 1752
Re: Broken dipstick
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 . . .".
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 . . .".
Chris