I have had the dipstick in my '08 2.4L replaced under warranty because of metal pieces coming off of the pot metal indicator that is molded on the end of the wire cable. The metal was flaking off at the point the indicator is attached to the cable. Now my new one appears to be starting the same thing. Anyone else notice this?
2.4 Dipstick
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I have the V6 but now I'm gonna go out in the daytime and look!
I was looking at mine this weekend, and pointed out the apparent poor design?
No large flakes yet , but it looked very poorly made, and was rubbing(pretty tight fit) when pushed in making me think that it could easily start to drop or scrape off bits of metal.
Reminds me of the type of solder joint you would see from a begginer learning to use a soldering iron.
dbdave,
how many miles on your car, my 08 has just 7,000 miles so far, so the dip stick has only been removed and re-inserted a few times.
It really does look like it could break off little bits.
No large flakes yet , but it looked very poorly made, and was rubbing(pretty tight fit) when pushed in making me think that it could easily start to drop or scrape off bits of metal.
Reminds me of the type of solder joint you would see from a begginer learning to use a soldering iron.
dbdave,
how many miles on your car, my 08 has just 7,000 miles so far, so the dip stick has only been removed and re-inserted a few times.
It really does look like it could break off little bits.
I haven't noticed anything. Of course, I usually check my oil before driving off at the end of the day (just pull it out, look at it, and then put it back). Is this a 2008 thing? Maybe there's something wrong with the dipstick tube (sharp edges on the end?)
I just checked the dipstick on my '11 3.6. I don't have the cable style with the lead sinker on the bottom. Mine is a single length of springy steel with a twist at the bottom, and the plastic handle at the top.
I don't think the metal flaking off comes from any contact with the tube, just the way the indicator (sinker as someone else said) is molded to the cable end. Around the top edge, the metal is quite thin and just flakes off. Must be due to either heat or vibration and the dissimilar metals expanding and contracting at a different rate.
I noticed the first one at about 30K miles and the new one shows it starting and I'm at 40K now. I don't like the thought of little metal flakes flowing around in any engine.
This is a very poor design and has got to cost more than a straight flat metal piece.
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Sounds like DrivenDaily has the "old style" dipstick. I wonder if they switched and anyone has a service bulletin. I'd love to ask and have it swapped out for me the next time i go in!
Anyone have any detail if this MIGHT be the case? I'd even pay $20 for a new one. I don't like the cable very much since you cant see the level, and the bob at the end is too slick to hold onto the oil for long enough to see.
Anyone have any detail if this MIGHT be the case? I'd even pay $20 for a new one. I don't like the cable very much since you cant see the level, and the bob at the end is too slick to hold onto the oil for long enough to see.
DrivenDaily has a V6 and a different dipstick. Mine was replaced under warranty about 2 months ago so unless they changed since then, there is no different dipstick for the 2.4L. Call a dealer.
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Yes, but if they replaced it I was thinking maybe a service bulliten is out and there is a chance they'd offer either a revision, or offer a compatible but different version.
There are some members that have access to the Bulletin numbers and issuances, and so was just curious. I'm not having the issue, so likely won't bring it up unless i could ask about something specific. Sometimes the conversation gets friendly where you can bring that type of stuff up. But my area has sorta standoffish dealers so i like to keep it simple.
I had mine replaced because I brought up the problem. I change my own oil so I noticed it. I suspect they haven't seen too many defective dipsticks over the years and for the same reason I don't suspect that there are too many people that will even know they may have a problem. I'm sure any oil change place wouldn't catch it because who looks at the dipstick that close anyway? People don't check their oil that often, either.
As for a bulletin on this, I wish there was one because this design needs to go. I couldn't believe it when I first pulled it out. It seems quite suspect that the new one they put in is starting to show the same problem. Wonder how many more are out there?
I checked mine yesterday. I noticed the cracks and delamination of the slimer part bonded to the cable (rod). So, A/C mechanic that I am, I took upon filling and sanding to remove this up to the begining of the cracks. I think it may be good now. No loosening of the indicator occured, so I'll let it vibe a bit in there with regular use and be back on this subject on a another day.
It's a very good find DBDAVE.
It's a very good find DBDAVE.
I found this new style dipstick hard to read. Especially when the car was new and still had the factory oil in it. I could hardly see the clean, new oil. Maybe it's just me, but I prefer the old style dipstick with the little holes. At least then, I could see the oil better.
Mr. Bill
Hamlet, NC
Mr. Bill
Hamlet, NC
I was looking over the manual this afternoon. On page 10-10 it shows drawings of the two different dipsticks. The 2.4L has the cable with "sinker" on it and the 3.6L has the twisted steel. I guess I should've looked before, eh? My bad!
I looked back at my work order and you are correct. The part # for the dipstick they installed is 24428553 unless they didn't write down the newer number. The new one looks identical to the old one.
I see you and Mr. Bill have 2010 models. Does the dipstick have the molded 'sinker on the cable' configuration? You must have the newer part number dipstick in your car. Would be nice to know what the difference between the two is. They may be the same but from a different supplier. Was there any 'superceded by' notation on the original part #?
I had originally thought of doing the material removal but wanted the dealer to actually change it so they know there is a problem. Now with the new one doing the same thing, I think I'll just go the grinding route to actually fix the problem. I'd feel pretty stupid if the sinker fell off the end of the dipstick, tho. What a dumb design.
They (2008 vs 2009+) look the same according to the drawings in the respective owner's manuals. However, P/N 12607379 does not supercede 24428553 and thus they are not interchangeable. Again, I'm not sure what the differences are in terms of dimension, material, and process-wise.
Frankly I don't see anything alarming about my dipstick. It's designed to be more flexible because of the curves on the dipstick tube. I guess I'll have to wait a couple of years to see if any problems crop up.
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I have an 09 cable-sinker dipstick. No problems on mine, have 48k miles on it now...
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Glad to hear, same yr but only 18K. Was worried about a "guaranteed 30Kish problem. Good news! I'll still take it easy in and out of the holder.
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