Dipstick!

Ardennes1944

Lads, the dipstick used in my mk4 astra is near impossible to read. Can I use another type provided it's the same length overall and the max min distances are the same?
Thanks

mickdw

It would have to be practically identical and might then have the same hard to read markings. I dont see how you will get a different one that will be right length etc and also seats nicely at the top.

Dont make the mistake like the guy who checked for oil by pushing in a straight metal rod til it hit bottom and was happy once he saw an inch of oil on the rod (just like the dipstick used to show):D

Ardennes1944

mickdw wrote: »

It would have to be practically identical and might then have the same hard to read markings. I dont see how you will get a different one that will be right length etc and also seats nicely at the top.

Dont make the mistake like the guy who checked for oil by pushing in a straight metal rod til it hit bottom and was happy once he saw an inch of oil on the rod (just like the dipstick used to show):D

Yeah I didn't think the chances would be high! I honestly can't read the thing atal. Wish it was the same as the punto

homer90

Deutschlandfürimmer7 wrote: »

Yeah I didn't think the chances would be high! I honestly can't read the thing atal. Wish it was the same as the punto

Why not try to scribe the min/max levels on the metal with something sharp..

Assuming it is metal...

C4Kid

Any chance of pic ?:pac:

Ardennes1944

homer90 wrote: »

Why not try to scribe the min/max levels on the metal with something sharp..

Assuming it is metal...

It's not that the min max points are hard to dicifer it's cos the distance in between has a deep serrated edge so it's hard to clear the oil from the last level and get a new accurate one. It's hard to explain

mickdw

You must have very clean oil

mickdw

mickdw wrote: »

You must have very clean oil

Or none at all :eek:

Ardennes1944

C4Kid wrote: »

Any chance of pic ?:pac:

Will post one tomorrow.

jaffa20

Rub your finger down the dipstick until you feel the oil on your finger.

Just realised that sounds dirty!!

johndaman66

Agreed with the Opel dipsticks from that era at least being a bit of a bit*h to read properly. It used to be a nightmare at times for me to read on my Vectra when I had it, particularly with new oil. It seems to be the texture of the plastic on the part of the dipstick your trying to read and the way old oil gets ingrained into it that causes the problem.

W.Shakes-Beer

Yeah on the Astra its separated into 4 little notches, 250ml each. I know what you mean, you wipe it, dip it and are unsure as to whether its full or 3/4 full. I find it easiest to look at it from the side (Notches facing up).

Ardennes1944

W.Shakes-Beer wrote: »

Yeah on the Astra its separated into 4 little notches, 250ml each. I know what you mean, you wipe it, dip it and are unsure as to whether its full or 3/4 full. I find it easiest to look at it from the side (Notches facing up).

It's not that so much that, the fit is so tight that any oil stuck in the tube gets forced onto the gauge and the level isn't readable. It looks like the oil is about 2litres too full!

W.Shakes-Beer

W.Shakes-Beer wrote: »

Yeah on the Astra its separated into 4 little notches, 250ml each. I know what you mean, you wipe it, dip it and are unsure as to whether its full or 3/4 full. I find it easiest to look at it from the side (Notches facing up).

A litre between min and max so