Dipstick nightmare

[bellaire35]

After breaking a dipstick in my oil pan last week decided it was a good time to remove the pan as it had a few leaks. Purchased a new gasket and removed the pan.
Well I found my piece that had broken off as well as a few others! 5 others to be exact. Mine is the longer one. Not sure if this is a problem with b engines. The dipstick I used previously as well as the replacement were both OEM.
There is about an inch of extra metal on the tip before the "L" reading is engraved. I cut 1/2" off and sure enough it now goes into the pan with ease. After filling with new oil all is good.
I may be the only one that has experienced this...well, other than the previous owner(s) with my LC

 

[Mr Cimarron]

This makes me wonder about mine. It almost looks like mine was welded back together in a few places and it hard to see where the low and full marks are. I'll have to snap some photos when I get back home.

 

[Freewheel]

What is the mechanism of breaking a dipstick? Does it get stuck?

 

[bellaire35]

After removing the oil pan, there is a metal plate that runs along the end where the dipstick goes. In that plate is a hole that is shaped like a shallow funnel. My theory is that the tip will not seat properly into this funnel shape and bend the dipstick metal inside the pan.
The tube that goes into the pan from the engine bay has a few slight bends and maybe there is a proper way that these bends need to be positioned. Someone with more knowledge can chime in. Wish I took a photo of the internal pan but this attached photo gives you an idea. Not sure if the pans are different based on destination country.

 

[lostmarbles]

......The tube that goes into the pan from the engine bay has a few slight bends and maybe there is a proper way that these bends need to be positioned. .......

I think you could be onto it here Jimmie.

It is quite common for people to mess up the dipstick orientation when engine work gets done.

I actually found the dip stick on my spare engine coming up between No. 2 & 3 ports on the intake manifold instead of between 3 and 4 where it should have been.

Here's how it should be...

Maybe if it's angled wrong, it gets bashed by the crankshaft (or perhaps No.4 conrod's big-end attached to it)? From when you had it apart, do you think this is possible?



PS. I've never heard of dipstick breakages before though.. Finding all those old dipstick pieces in your sump is incredible!!

 

[bellaire35]

Hey Tom, hope all is well. You are correct as the position should be between intake 3 and 4. I agree, very odd and taken back when I dropped the pan to find all these pieces. Inspecting the oil pan did not throw up any red flags either. So, the best I can tell is the PO (s)
1. did not take care when checking the oil.
2. Somehow the bends in the tube was positioned in such a way that caused the stick to bend at an bad angle
3. Maybe when I removed the pan it loosened up the clogged port that may had a previous broken stick in it.

Never had a dipstick break on me out of all the cars I have owned. If anyone needs some tips for dipsticks they are now on sale!

 

[Mr Cimarron]

Here's my dipstick. Definitely has had some work done to it. What is the proper length? Looks like I will be getting a new one if available.

 

[bellaire35]

Looks like someone has soldered it a few times. I will measure mine when I get back. I know Toyota can get originals still.

 

[fitzmooney]

There's marks on the bronze and on the dipstick, consistent with something hitting it.
Maybe a conrod.

 

[bellaire35]

Here's my dipstick. Definitely has had some work done to it. What is the proper length? Looks like I will be getting a new one if available.
View attachment 1289507
View attachment 1289508

My dipstick now measured 57 cm from tip to the round rubber stopper (the rubber that sits flush on the tube).
This is after i trimmed about a cm or 2 off the OEM stick

 

[Mr Cimarron]

My dipstick now measured 57 cm from tip to the round rubber stopper (the rubber that sits flush on the tube).
This is after i trimmed about a cm or 2 off the OEM stick

View attachment 1289689

Thanks. Can't wait to go home and see how much I'm missing. Also can your measure how far the F line is from the bottom?

 

[bellaire35]

Thanks. Can't wait to go home and see how much I'm missing. Also can your measure how far the F line is from the bottom?

It is around 32 cm. it has 2 bends in the feed tube as well. Hope this helps

 

[doug720]

If the DS tube is all out of wack, how did you determine the actual full oil level?

You may want to do an oil change and put in the recommended amount of oil and recheck the full level on the DS to make sure.

Just an idea.

 

[bellaire35]

After removing the pan, filter and cleaning the pump filter screen (was clogged up in several places) I put the correct number of liters based on the FSM and checked with the new dipstick. Right on the money and after 100 km rechecked and all good.

 

[Mr Cimarron]

If the DS tube is all out of wack, how did you determine the actual full oil level?

You may want to do an oil change and put in the recommended amount of oil and recheck the full level on the DS to make sure.

Just an idea.

I've done two oil changes so far. Once when I got it and a second after driving it for 20km to put on the plug washer so it wouldn't leak.

 

[lostmarbles]

I just took some photos of the dipstick on my 1979 BJ40 because I believe it is original and unmolested..

This one shows the tube-holding bracket secured to the top stud on No.3 intake port:

This one shows the main bend in the tube and how it is orientated in relation to the block:

The top of the removed dipstick:

And here are the dimensions as accurately as I could measure:

Hopefully this information will be useful.

 

[Mr Cimarron]

I just took some photos of the dipstick on my 1979 BJ40 because I believe it is original and unmolested..

This one shows the tube-holding bracket secured to the top stud on No.3 intake port:
View attachment 1289911

This one shows the main bend in the tube and how it is orientated in relation to the block:
View attachment 1289912

The top of the removed dipstick:
View attachment 1289913

And here are the dimensions as accurately as I could measure:
View attachment 1289910

Hopefully this information will be useful.

I used your measurements to cut down a spare 80 series dip stick to replace mine. Its the same width and seems the rubber top part that holds it in the tube is the same. Only difference is it has the updated modern yellow grab handle.
I did feel a bend happing on the last inch so I think I will clip it shorter like @bellaire35. The last inch doesn't seem like it is needed.