Dipstick tube

jwrw · Jul 2, 2023

Checking the oil on my 110 (1986) today, I noticed that the dipstick outer tube is moving up and down when I pull/push the dipstick. I don’t think it’s supposed to do that! There’s shiny metal visible on the outside where it used to be inside the engine.

Now I don’t know whether the oil level is right. I had already added a litre because it looked low, but that was before I realised that there isn’t a fixed reference point.

Any suggestions, please? First — is there any way I can tell whether it’s safe to drive or if there is too much oil?

Second — is the outer tube fixable?

Thanks in advance.

miktdish · Jul 2, 2023

The tube shouldn't be loose.
It's held in place by a bracket that is approx 1/2 way down under the exhaust port for cylinder 1.
It just pops into the block at the bottom.

tottot · Jul 2, 2023

Series engines suffered the same issue. I once had a bargain with a 2 1/4 petrol, seller said oil light flashing now and then going down hill. Reason tube had slipped and not enough oil in sump.
Yours a naturally aspirated 2.5 ?
The one in above pic looks like a disco 200 maybe.
If the short stick type under the manifold I suspect a nut at the base on the block locks the tube.
You could drain the oil and fill it back the correct amount and then set tube stick in the right place.

miktdish · Jul 2, 2023

Ah yes sorry, mines a 300 Di, I read that you had a 1996 TDi, not a 1986 .. apologies.

I think the tube screws into the block/sump and is a lot shoryter than the pic I showed.
Part number ERC8980

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jwrw · Jul 2, 2023

Thanks for replying. Yes — my tube is different, there’s no bracket. And I think there’s a very gungy looking nut at the bottom to lock it in place. It’s a 200Tdi, not the original engine.

Here’s a couple of pics of it in the ‘in’ and ‘out’ positions. I’m not sure whether the clean metal shows where it was before, or if the dirt has wiped off with me pushing it in and out.

I can’t find anything in the Haynes manual that says how far the tube would normally be set. Do you know how much of it is normally inside the engine?

And a final question… is something between 0 and 1 litre too much oil going to potentially wreck the engine? If it’s risky then I wont start it. The level was between L and N before I topped it up. I know too much is dangerous but are we talking about half a litre too much or several litres?

Thanks again.

tottot · Jul 2, 2023

Your pic shows the usual Ninety/ One ten dipstick
An extra Ltr unlikely to cause any issues.
I would slide the tube back in until the shiny bit is out of sight and clamp up the nut.

jwrw · Jul 2, 2023

tottot said:
Your pic shows the usual Ninety/ One ten dipstick
An extra Ltr unlikely to cause any issues.
I would slide the tube back in until the shiny bit is out of sight and clamp up the nut.

Thanks. That’s very reassuring!

I just had a fiddle about with the nut but I can’t get close enough to tighten it. I tried my long tap spanner but it’s not the right tool. Any tips for getting in there to reach the nut? Maybe I have to bite the bullet and disconnect some of the turbo pipework.

tottot · Jul 2, 2023

Think I have a short ring spanner that slides down the tube.

Dipstick tube

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Dipstick Tube - Metric Thread - 4 Cyl Engines To 200Tdi | Ser - Def

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