K series oil dipstick.

[Fyldeflier]

I have just had the oil dipstick in my K series snap in the tube that feeds into the sump.

it is the yellow plastic type and has broken off where the graduation marks are at the sump end.

i assume its sump off to remove the broken bit.

any tips or advice?

thanks.

John.

 

 

[SM25T]

Drain oil first. Be prepared for the oil remaining on the shelf of the sump gasket. Watch for the hidden bolts into the sump from the bell housing.

[SM25T]

.... and if you still have the dreaded sheet of foam in there pressed against the block ... you know what to do.

[rj]

And somewhere in the archives will be information on a replacement from a Ford Fiesta you can use instead. If I remember correctly it was a 1.2 from around 2010.

[Fyldeflier]

Thanks Ian and RJ.

no foam took that out years ago.

i think the broken bit might be in the dipstick tube so I’ll drain the oil and take that off first. Might save taking off the sump.

thanks for the help.

John.

[rj]

I doubt the missing bit will be in the tube unless it has broken quite high up. Don't worry. Dropping the pan is not a big issue and you can re-use the gasket. When re-installing remember to loosely fit the M10 bolts from the bellhousing side before doing up the M8 bolts from underneath. Otherwise it'll be a pain. With the right tools the excersise is done in 15 mins.

[SM25T]

If you remove the single bolt that holds the dip tube and thermostat housing (agree you shouldn't have to), be very careful refitting it ... easy to cross thread it and strip the female thread in the block. Also easy to disturb the thermostat and start getting leaks.

[Fyldeflier]

 

Thanks guys.it seems to have snapped pretty low down where the tube bend is at maximum.

i don’t fancy disturbing the thermostat and take the point about cross threading the bolt through it into the block.

so I have made sure that the broken end has dropped into the sump and will drain the oil and drop the sump.

thanks for the tip re the bell housing bolts on reassembly. 

John.

 

 

 

[rj]

Thread about replacement dipstick here:

https://www.lotus7.club/forum/techtalk/k-series-18-dipstick-availability?page=1

I would not be afraid of removing the bolt that holds the tube and thermostat housing. Never managed to damage the thread when doing so. (Or re-fitting) - my sump threads is another thing but I've dropped the sump maybe 15 times or so in the past. The M14x1.5 for the plug has also needed attention, but with up to ten oil changes a year it all adds up.

 

[Fyldeflier]

Thanks for the heads up RJ .ordered a new one from Redline.

dropped the sump and retrieved broken bit . All back together and driven. No leaks.

John.

 

 

[revilla]

A Fiesta 1.2 from 2010 you say?

just let me raid the wife's car ...

[anthonym]

Quite right, she won’t mind

[paul richards]

Well done Capt. Johny I taught you well. Glad it’s sorted. 

[rj]

Andrew,

No better way to let a Fiesta die than to let it work as a part spender for a K engined Caterham even if it's just for the dipstick :-p

[andydavy]

I tried that dipstick. Firstly the ball wouldn't go down the tube. took that off and then the kink won't go down either.

[Fyldeflier]

Cheers Paul. That you have!