907
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| posted on 14/4/16 at 10:36 PM |
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Dipsticks, or Lack Of Them
Cars are getting more and more techy, if that is indeed the word.
Sometimes I think technology is used just for the sake of it; but more to the point, do we trust it?
It was time to sell my Passat estate, while it was still a saleable item, so I've been out test driving this and that,
mainly looking for another estate to use as a workhorse. Looking for an older car that would act as a works van
as well as being the family car. A must is the ability to tow a car trailer and to be able to fit a 2x1m sheet inside.
Nothing new, or even newish. Mustn't cringe at workshop/car park rash.
I settled on a Merc E320. Cars like this are cheep as chips. A rusty Transit costs more.
However, I can't find the dipstick. If I press loads of buttons, loads of times, I can get "Oil Level OK" on what was
ten minutes ago a speedo. I can't get it up, but the alternative would be "Add 1 Litre of Oil". (According to the book)
( Trying to get it back to being a speedo is another story.)
I would feel just that wee bit happier if I could find a metal rod that could be pulled out covered in brown stuff,
or even black gunge would be better than nothing.
Am I just too old for cars? A horse & cart perhaps. 
Cheers
Paul G
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tegwin
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| posted on 14/4/16 at 10:51 PM |
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I get what you are saying... And you just know that when that sensor goes poof you are going to have to pay a fortune to have it replaced....
Apart from a decrease in emissions over the years I swear a lot of the tech in modern cars is just there because if there wasnt anything new, nobody
would buy the car...Like iphones or everything else in this consumer driven world where the measure in a countries success is how much crap the
citizens buy... It sucks but there isn't any way off this conveyor belt...
[Edited on 14/4/16 by tegwin]
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Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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jollygreengiant
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| posted on 14/4/16 at 10:54 PM |
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I feel your pain Paul, having just gone back to being a mechanic. DONT get me started on trying to turn OFF service lights. It used to be SO simple.
Beware of the Goldfish in the tulip mines. The ONLY defence against them is smoking peanut butter sandwiches.
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loggyboy
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 12:07 AM |
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On my old megane is was built in to filler cap. Kept it neat and easy to find.
Mistral Motorsport
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hizzi
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 05:14 AM |
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my old man recently bought a volvo xc60 it came up saying oil was low add 0.5 so he did, that took it slightly high and went to limp mode, 50 mile
trip to dealer on a transporter to remove 100ml of oil. mechanic showed him a hidden dipstick way down at sump level after that.
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907
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 06:55 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by hizzi
my old man recently bought a volvo xc60 it came up saying oil was low add 0.5 so he did, that took it slightly high and went to limp mode, 50 mile
trip to dealer on a transporter to remove 100ml of oil.
mechanic showed him a hidden dipstick way down at sump level after that.
Now there's a thought Hizzi.
I must admit I did wonder how a garage would do an oil change, unless they knew the precise amount to put in.
OK, you'd expect a main dealer to have that info, but who takes a 13 year old car to a main dealer ?
So to all you pro mechanics; hypothetical situation; I'm half way up the A1 / MI, and the dash lights up.
I call into the first garage that looks like it has a workshop attached and ask them to top it up.
It just happens to be your place.
What would you do ?
Paul G
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CosKev3
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 07:17 AM |
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A lot of cars now don't have sump plugs either!
And at servicing the 'mechanics/technicians' just add the amount of oil stated in the manufacturers info
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nick205
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 08:43 AM |
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Understand your concern here as a dipstick gives instant "checkability" (is that a word?) to the oil level. Servicing my VAG cars
I've been using a Pela extraction pump to remove the old oil. This has a fine tube that goes down the dipstick tube into the sump and removes
the oil quickly and cleanly without having to scrabble around under the car to drain the sump. IIRC most modern VAG cars have a plastice cover
underneath the engine bay, which would have to be removed to access the sump plug. Without the dipstick this would not be possible and therefore a
PITA to service quickly and cleanly.
I suspect with no dipstick you rely on the sensor telling you via the dashboard when the oil level is low. The issue then for me would be how much
oil to put in and how to check it afterwards. As I understand it many engines object to or suffer if over filled with oil!
One avenue would be to speak to a Mercedes garage and ask about how to look after the vehicle in this respect. If you find a good dealer they can be
quite helpful I've found.
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motorcycle_mayhem
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 08:55 AM |
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It'll be a while until I get to this madness, in car years.
I've been dealing with the MoT issues on SWMBO's Corsa, which at 2006, is the most modern thing we've ever had. It's all still
'familiar' technology, just that the packaging is so tight (whether that's because it's the 1.8 I can't say) and my
arthritic joints are struggling, badly.
The Transhit (2002) still goes on, and on. The engine turns over, the mechanical pump squirts in the fuel, and the engine runs. Nothing else gets in
the way of that process. I'm aware that the front chassis legs are not going to be there much longer, so another lovely welding job when (if)
the summer weather comes.
I'm surprised you didn't go the Transhit route - the earlier the better. less electronics, but lots of (accessible) rust (easily fixed
usually).
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mcerd1
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 08:56 AM |
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I've currently got a weird issue with the dipstick on mine...
(1.8 duratec HE)
I pull it out and its all but dry, wipe it replace it and pull it again and its still dry...
But then I turn it 90° and dip it again and suddenly its full 
I'm going to have to drain and measure the oil that comes out to be sure
[Edited on 15/4/2016 by mcerd1]
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Jeano
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 09:09 AM |
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Dipstick is an optional extra on my A5
Location: Essex
Drives: MK Indy F20c with hairdryer
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nick205
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 09:48 AM |
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Thinking a little further, most cars I'm familiar with have a dipstick (manual faultless check) and sensor (electronic, maybe faulty, check).
Personally I prefer a dipstick in which I have some faith. The sensor may or may not be working correctly and/or give misleading readouts.
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benchmark51
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 10:54 AM |
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Many cars do have dipsticks, unfortunately some of them are behind the steering wheel.
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 11:30 AM |
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modern cars are probably designed so you have to replace the engine when the oil get low and to do that will required every other part to be removed
for access
Cars are just becoming a bad joke
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907
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 12:26 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by benchmark51
Many cars do have dipsticks, unfortunately some of them are behind the steering wheel.
I thought that was a nut behind the steering wheel.
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907
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 12:28 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
modern cars are probably designed so you have to replace the engine when the oil get low and to do that will required every other part to be removed
for access
Cars are just becoming a bad joke
I've told you ten million times, don't exaggerate.
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obfripper
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 12:44 PM |
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The mercedes service dipstick appears to be suitable to remain fitted in the vehicle, its part number: 120 539 07 21 00 from merc, there are patterned
versions on 4-PIECE OIL DIPSTICK GAUGE SET FOR MERCEDES BENZ ENGINE & TRANSMISSION OIL that have all the service
dipsticks.
Have a look at this thread for oil depth settings for your engine
(assuming the engine is the same), you could then permently mark your engine settings on the stick to be used as normal.
Dave
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907
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 01:15 PM |
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That looks helpful Dave.
Cheers
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coozer
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 01:47 PM |
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My daily driver has the oil level on the dash and constantly tells me the coolant is low on start up. Its an 11 plate Daf with the euro 5 480bhp...
Its done 1066200km now soon to be replaced by a new Renault, not looking forward to that.
All the newer trucks have more and more tech that's supposed to aid the owner. Problem is now when the dash flags anything up the depot
mechanic shakes his head and calls Dafaid out!!
They getting more and more complicated and the tech that's not very reliable filters down onto cars. Its the future....
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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907
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 02:21 PM |
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Just found this on eBay. eBay Item
Paul G
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BenB
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 03:06 PM |
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Rather strangely my Renault Scenic has two dipsticks- one is hard to reach and appears to have been added for when the engine is used in a different
installation (I think the Renault Diesel engines are used in a few other manafacturers vehicles).
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zetec
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 05:18 PM |
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Part of the problem is that you care what the oil level is...I bet 90% of drivers who buy that car could not care less as long as it still works!
I'm surprised they still have a bonnet release, dealer access only.
That's why we build our own or get a classic to work on...new cars are just as disposable as an TV or computer. I can't imagine someone
restoring my Focus in 30 years time...
" I only registered to look at the pictures, now I'm stuck with this username for the rest of my life!"
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 05:56 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Mr Whippy
modern cars are probably designed so you have to replace the engine when the oil get low and to do that will required every other part to be removed
for access
Cars are just becoming a bad joke
Like the latest Bentley - you have to drop the whole engine and transmission from below, just to change the spark plugs...
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morcus
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 06:29 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by zetec
Part of the problem is that you care what the oil level is...I bet 90% of drivers who buy that car could not care less as long as it still works!
I'm surprised they still have a bonnet release, dealer access only.
I'm pretty sure Audi actually tried that with the A2. I think that did have a dipstick and holes to put oil and washer fluid/coolant in under a
little letter box but you needed special tools to get at the engine (Or so I have been lead to believe).
In a White Room, With Black Curtains, By the Station.
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rusty nuts
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| posted on 15/4/16 at 06:53 PM |
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Like the latest Bentley - you have to drop the whole engine and transmission from below, just to change the spark plugs...
Renault Espace v6 had the same problem at least 10 years ago . New BMWs have to have the ECU reset when fitting plug, brake pads etc
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