DIPSTICK

ANGELO MANNINA

MEMBER
1998 FORD CONTOUR
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL

I have a 1998 Ford Contour.
A few years ago as I was removing the dipstick to check the oil, the top of the dipstick
came off while the bottom (metal) part stayed in the shaft.
I could not get the shaft out so had to pay a Ford dealer $300 dollars to right the problem.
I purchased a new dipstick for prox $55 dollars AND about 3 weeks ago the problem happened again. A mechanic friend was somehow able to remove the shaft.
I am now using a coathanger to check the oil as I do not want to pay another $355.
Any solutions to getting an ALL METAL dipstick. The problem is that the top of the factory model is fiberglass and I suppose is subject to the heat of the engine and breaks off.
Help Angelo

1 Reply

DRCRANKNWRENCH

MECHANIC
3,380 POSTS

Look into an aftermarket or performance/style replacement that you might be able to find via an internet search.
Otherwise, a repair shop that welds could certainly make a dipt stick with the original dipper and by welding a cap from another used one. The important part is to keep the distance from the top tof the tube where the stick bottoms out to the oil level marks the correct distance.
Maybe you could make something out of a coathanger. Aplastic bottle cap with a hole in it from a caothanger rod to go through the cenbter. Then seal the 2 together with adhesive sillicane and bend the ned of the rod to form a handle. As long as the tube that the dipstick goes into is seals to keep out contamination and the proper distnace is kept to measure the oil level, you can be creative.
Sounds like you have the mind for it, the coathanget is a good idea.
Let me know how it turns out.