Car oil dipstick

Oil dipstick is a device for measuring the level of oil in the car. It is located in the engine block of the car. It is easy to find by coloured ring or coloured handle. To determine the oil level, it is necessary to retrieve the dipstick and to wipe it dry with a cloth. Then insert the dipstick as far as it will go. After this retrieve it again to see the oil level on the scale. Before you check the oil level, it is necessary to stop the engine the oil to stream down into the oil pan.

There should not be too much or too little oil in the engine. The distance between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick should be about 1 litre. If the oil level is below the mark, you need to add oil. The engine must not work without oil, as it can be damaged. Defective oil dipstick should be replaced immediately to be able to check the oil level at any moment. It is not expensive to replace the oil dipstick.

You need just to insert the oil dipstick into the respective hole. It must remain closed until there is no oil dipstick not to let dirt in. It is very important the dipstick to fit the car model. Faulty measuring scale can show erroneous results. Do you need other spare car parts, like turn indicator, shock mount, damper strut, generator, transmission bearing or taillight? On our site you will find any car parts you need.

How to detect a faulty Oil level dipstick

In order to test the component, measure the resistance between its contacts. If the sensor is in good order, this value will be between 5 and 30 Ohms. To check the degree of correct functioning of the component, a special device should be used. Install the tested component on the lid of the device, ground the housing to the vehicle body, and connect the output terminal to the circuit wire. Then move the lever to the maximum mark on the scale, and set appropriate angles. The values will allow to determine the inaccuracy. The error should not deviate from the acceptable values.

You may notice that the oil level indicator needs diagnostics by the following symptoms:

• the needle of the component fluctuates;
• low oil level lamp flashes spontaneously;
• the needle spontaneously falls down;
• after the ignition is switched on, and the motor is started, the needle does not move;
• the needle always points to the minimum or the maximum.

The reasons of oil level indicator malfunctions

Constant vibration of the engine may result in contact breaking, and failure of the electric circuit between the sensor and the indicator, whereby monitoring the oil level will become problematic, and there may occur serious problems in engine operation.

Common faults of the sensor are short circuit or oxidation of the contacts, and its depressurization and oil ingress inside. Loss of tightness is often associated with wear of the rubber o-rings in the component. Oxidation of contacts is caused by moisture, short circuits - by voltage drops in circuit.

The sensor float demagnetization is caused by high temperatures and use of the component beyond its service life.

Oil level dipstick repair and replacement

During repair, the sensor and the float are replaced. If the wires are damaged, restore connection. To remove malfunction, you may also bend the sliding contact. Most often, a broken component is replaced by a new one. To replace it, first drain oil. Then remove fasteners of the broken component with a wrench, remove it, and install a working component. After replacement, fill in new oil.