Dipstick

**zakkaz** · 02-01-2011,09:16 AM

Does anyone know if you can either buy a different colour dipstick or colour the dipstick on the 2.0 tdi 170 engine. The yellow sensor light has started coming on and off intermittently. I have checked the oil and if anything it looks like it is just above the maximum but it is extremely hard to get a good reading with this dipstick?

**johnloaderuk** · 02-01-2011,09:54 AM

This has been discussed a quite some lenght on the Passat B6 forum. The dipstick is a very poor design and several people have suggested different ways of trying to get an accurate reading, but it seems to differ from person to person as to getting the best (most accurate) result. To the best of my knowledge there isn't a different dipstick, and other people have suggested colouring it themselves, but then worry about the small amount of colouring medium falling off and getting into the engine.
When my Passat oil light came on (yellow oil light) I used to put in one whole litre. I had the car from new and did 146k in it with no bad results. However the 170 has a DPF which can be damaged by over filling with oil, so I would suggest perhaps half a litre, then try to get a reading before putting any more in. Follow the link for further discussion.

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=109286

**zollaf** · 02-01-2011,10:56 AM

what about using a temporary dipstick. what i mean is, use the original dipstick for driving, but find a length of something, maybe a plastic tube. you would have to mark it against your regular dipstick to know how far to put it into the engine, maybe form some sort of stop, then stick it in, pull it out and then you should be able to see your oil level. a bit of a faff i know, but at least you might be able to read it.

**zakkaz** · 02-01-2011,11:06 AM

Cheers, That sounds like a good idea, maybe coathanger wire or do you think this might not be flexible enough and could maybe do some damage forcing it in?

**zollaf** · 02-01-2011,11:35 AM

coathanger wire might work, cant picture the shape of the tube to know if there are any sharp bends in it. i was thinking more along the lines of some clear plastic fuel pipe, or thin air pipe, or maybe some mains cable, just the inner wire with sheath still on it.
just had another thought. what about some heatshrink over the original dipstick, just on the end. some red heatshrink should be ok and show up the oil level nicely. not sure if it is oil proof, but would certainly take the heat.

**johnloaderuk** · 02-01-2011,05:35 PM

Originally Posted by zollaf

just had another thought. what about some heatshrink over the original dipstick, just on the end. some red heatshrink should be ok and show up the oil level nicely. not sure if it is oil proof, but would certainly take the heat.

What if the heatshrink broke down in the oil and then came off in the sump - might it block something - an oil way, pump etc.
I'm also not sure it would fit down the tube as the two balls on the end of the original dipstick are almost the size of the tube to begin with.

**zollaf** · 02-01-2011,06:02 PM

it might fall off, you're right. it needs someone to test it out. all my dipsticks are cleverly designed so you can read them, so that rules me out.

.

**Ben** · 02-01-2011,06:32 PM

Been discussed in the a4 b7 section also https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=98782

**zakkaz** · 04-01-2011,10:06 AM

I think the best bet is to buy a replacement dipstick, paint it white and use it for checking the oil only. In regards to the yellow oil sensor light. I am going to start the process of elimination by draining the oil, replace it with castrol edge 5w30, new oil filter and a new sensor. Could anyone tell me what sensor is needed? Oil level or oil pressure or is it the same thing?, Ta

**johnloaderuk** · 04-01-2011,11:36 AM

If the oil light is yellow it's a reminder to check and top up the oil as soon as you can, if the oil light is red stop immediately (if it's not already too late) as there is no oil pressure, but I don't know if it's the same switch.

My 2005 140TDI Passat used to show the yellow light every 8-9k miles, so I filled it up, the earlier PD engines are known for using oil, some need topping up after every 2000 miles or less, so perhaps yours just needs topping up. My newer CR engine doesn't use any oil between services, so I've never had to top this one up - yet.

The dipstick design on my newer Passat is quite different to the older 'ball' type, and looks like a more traditional type dipstick. If the new type is the same length as the old one from the stop to the upper/lower markers perhaps changing dipsticks would be a good idea.

Also if the yellow oil light comes on and you open the bonnet, but don't put any oil in, it will not show the light again until you have driven several miles. Opening and closing the bonnet resets the yellow light for a while, until it again registers it need filling up when you get the light come on again - are you sure this isn't what your car is doing.