Is your dipstick awkward to insert ?
Does your dipstick get stuck half way in ?
Do you find it hard to gauge the level on the dipstick due to smearing after a lot of prodding?

I undertook an A service yesterday, but by the end of it I'd had enough of my dipstick and so decided to sort the problem once and for all.
On close inspection I found that although the tip was round it had hard angled edges and two corners where it joined the shaft; which were probably catching inside the tube somewhere.

A few minutes with a fine file to round off all the edges solved the problem and now my dipstick goes all the way in first time.  Jules

and now my dipstick goes all the way in first time

Glad to hear it  FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

jules wrote:

Do you find it hard to gauge the level on the dipstick due to smearing after a lot of prodding?

That’s out of bounds in our house.  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

I dunno, some people

But it has to be one of the worst dipstick designs in existence.

It always amazes me the trouble some designers go to when they take a long established component and change it so that it becomes a complete PITA.

BMW (3 series) were masters of this - a fuse box that had to be reached through the glove box so that you couldnt see the fuses with your hand down the hole - manual seats that were near impossible to alter whilst driving - front struts that required spring compressors to be applied inside the wheel arch before the struts could be taken out - rear shock absorbers that required most of the luggage compartment trim to be removed to gain access to the top nut. Jules

“front struts that required spring compressors to be applied inside the wheel arch before the struts could be taken out”

I never did that - you can lever the wishbone down with a big bar and they swing out past the wheel arch while still connected to the bottom ball joint.  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Steve D
Yes that is the way Ive done it before.
Which 3 series are you talking about ? - mine was a E91 MSport and I couldnt get the lower suspension to depress enough and and so I just followed the instructions given in the workshop manual. It was a real PITA to do. Jules

jules wrote:

...But it has to be one of the worst dipstick designs in existence....

Rollie - OMG, How to ruin ones day in an instant

Was it one with a plastic end ? Jules

jules wrote:

Is your dipstick awkward to insert ?
Does your dipstick get stuck half way in ?
Do you find it hard to gauge the level on the dipstick due to smearing after a lot of prodding?


A few minutes with a fine file to round off all the edges solved the problem and now my dipstick goes all the way in first time.

Glad it worked for you  Jules

jules wrote:

Is your dipstick awkward to insert ?
Does your dipstick get stuck half way in ?
Do you find it hard to gauge the level on the dipstick due to smearing after a lot of prodding?

I undertook an A service yesterday, but by the end of it I'd had enough of my dipstick and so decided to sort the problem once and for all.
On close inspection I found that although the tip was round it had hard angled edges and two corners where it joined the shaft; which were probably catching inside the tube somewhere.

A few minutes with a fine file to round off all the edges solved the problem and now my dipstick goes all the way in first time.

Is this the X rated section of the forum???

I would use some fine Wet & Dry to polish the edges. Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

"Irritating Dipstick problem solved."
I thought you were going to say "the other half has filed for divorce ! "

 Jules