I've asked this before but no one was able to provide a clear answer so I'm posting it again. My engine oil dipstick is loose. I can pull it up by about two inches before the kink in it stops it against a bracket. The rubber grommet that holds it in place a few inches below the neck of the tube is shot and I have a replacement but I want to know if there is supposesd to be some sort of gasket, grommet etc at the bottom of the tube where it enters the engine block. Because it's loose there as well and seems to rattle around badly at that location. Are there any sources on line that show the dipstick and it's components?

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

If it's loose around the engine block I would think you would be getting some oil loss & see some oil that has spewed around the dipstick housing.

Strange but there's no sign of any oil leak or loss down there at all.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

I doubt there is anything that touches the dipstick itself anywhere in the tube as it would likely wipe the oil mark you are looking for off and make the dipstick nearly pointless. As far as I know there is an O-ring at the top of the dipstick incorporated into the dipstick handle that does all the sealing. The rest of the dipstick, the flexible bit of flat strip strip of spring steel, is "held" in place by the bend in the tube. How are you determining the end with the marks to detect level are rattling around? It may be possible you don't have the correct dipstick and the bend in the tube is not sufficiently loading the end to keep it from flopping around. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

No no. It's not the dipstick itself that's the problem. It's the tube that the dipstick is inserted into thats loose. The dipstick itself has the O-ring seal in it just fine. But when I pull it out to check the oil the actual tube that it comes out of comes with it. For about two inches before it catches on the bracket and the dipstick itself can then slide out. I know the tube is held in place by a rubber 0-ring that fits into a neck of steel that's screwed to the Power steering and A/C compressor housing, and that's badly perished. But I'd like to know if that's the only place where the tube is fastened before it enters the engine block of if there should be some kind of seal lower down where the tube enters the block.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Ok, the tube itself is held by the clamp, only, on most MBs, that holds the tube near the top. At the bottom it has an O-ring seal that, as long as the O-ring is intact and inside the bore of the block/oil pan, it seals just fine. So, if the top clamp is loose you are going to be able to almost remove the tube. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

In that case I believe the lower o-ring in the oil pan/block is also probably shot. I shall have to investigate further. Thank's for the help Jim.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

i would repace the top piece then see if you have any leak at the base

__________________
commercial fisherman diesel in my blood in my boats trucks and Dear old Dad has had me drivin them since i got my first license in 1968
1986 300 SDL 427654
1999 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 225423
1986 300 SDL 287000 Dad's
1987 190 Turbo 158000 Mom's (my inheritance)