Broken Dipstick

[GSD]

I have a 2004 1.4LX Xsara hatchback and when I pulled the dipstick out to check the oil level I fould that the plastic guage on the end had broken off near the top! Whilst I will obviously have to try and get a new dipstick so I can measure the oil level I'm much concerned about having bit of hard plastic loose in the sump!

 

Can anyone tell me whether this is likely to just sit there safely until the next oil and filter change or whether I need to do something about this now? Many thanks, GSD.

[Johndouglas]

I don't think you need worry. The oil pump pickup has a strainer around it so the debris can't get into the pump. I would also have thought it doubful that it will flush out through the sump plug.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

If you're really bothered about it you could always drop the sump off if the piece doesn't come out with the oil change. There's no gasket to replace, it's sealed with a silicone type compound. If it does get past the strainer the oil pump would probably mince it up and it would end up in the filter.

 

 

 

Cheers ;)

[GSD]

If you're really bothered about it you could always drop the sump off if the piece doesn't come out with the oil change. There's no gasket to replace, it's sealed with a silicone type compound. If it does get past the strainer the oil pump would probably mince it up and it would end up in the filter.

 

 

 

Cheers :unsure:

 

Thanks very much to you both for your advice but have you heard of this happening before? Also if I do decide to take the sump off is this a fairly easy job with no access problems? By the way it will be interesting to see how easy it is to source a new dipstick as I can't imagine that this is something that is required very often. Many thanks again, GSD.

[Johndouglas]

Since plastic dipsticks were introduced I've heard of it happening quite a few times. What was wrong with the thin steel ones?

[GSD]

Since plastic dipsticks were introduced I've heard of it happening quite a few times. What was wrong with the thin steel ones?

 

 

When I spoke to our local Citroen agent this morning they said that this was a fairly regular occurrence and that they therefore kept a good stock of replacement dipsticks available at a cost of around £6. Apparently this is a known design/materials fault and that the bit of plastic that has broken off should simply sit in the bottom of the sump and not cause any problems. In the circumstances it would be interesting to know if the dip sticks on newer Citroens are all steel? GSD.