Word of warning for DSE auto owners

Had a close one with the P38 during the week.

I never noticed before but the bracket supporting the auto transmission oil dipstick had cracked at some stage on my 98MY P38 DSE Auto. No big deal you might think but it could have had serious consequences.
While investigating a 'mysterious water leak', which turned out to be just the aircon drain, I had to take off the transmission sump guard. I power washed the area to help find the water leak and while under the rangie I noticed a small weep coming from the dipstick tube nut. I decided to loosen it a bit to clean it before retightening.
I had only just put a spanner on it when the whole thing snapped off followed by several litres of tranny oil. I had barely put any pressure on it to snap it off so this was just waiting to happen on the open road. I'd imagine a new autobox would be the result of that happening. I have the sump taken off to see if I can get the connection welded back on. The local stealer quoted me €150 for a new one.

Anyone got a spare one for sale?

Anyway anyone with an auto should check to see that the bracket is intact and that there is no movment in the dipstick tube.

Anything I should look for while the sump is off?

There is a little bit of metal gunk in the sump but it looks really minor and the magnet has caught most of it.

you could check your mains and big end bearings to make sure they are in good nick,gives you a good idea how good a condition the engine is in.imho that is.,or i could read the question properly and get my answers correct,:doh::doh::doh:

or you could just wait till it stops and then any minor problems will be obvious!

gemsdad said:

you could check your mains and big end bearings to make sure they are in good nick,gives you a good idea how good a condition the engine is in.imho that is.

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Thats the first time Iv'e heard of auto transmission having big ends and mains

Just put a new filter on the bottom of the tranny before you refit the pan.No problem with welding it,be stronger than a new one done properly.(Bit like the bias spring plates on Disco gearboxes.)

Mines ok, thanks for that, doe'nt take a few seconds to check.

I noticed the same on mine, I cable-tied the transmission dipstick to the engine dipstick to stop it shaking about.