I want an aftermarket blade style dipstick for a 2.3 motor. Anyone know where to get one? I've tried the usual auto parts stores: Auto Zone, O'Reilly's, etc. Also, Amazon, ebay and Rock Auto. I would love to know the story behind the oil dipstick for this motor. For those unfamiliar, rather than the ubiquitous blade with two holes in it indicating the high and low oil level, there is a cast metal piece at the end of the stick. At either end of the casting,it is round in diameter and slightly smaller that the tube it goes in. In the center of the casting is a flat area with the marks for high and low level. The problem is when checking the oil, the round area at either end seem to gather the oil on the side of the tube and smear it all over the whole casting, making it hard to impossible to read. I've tried checking the oil according to the owner's manual. Blade style dipsticks have minimum contact with the side of the tube and don't have this problem. I want an aftermarket blade dipstick.

 

You started three threads with the exact same question??????

Try wiping the dip stick with a paper towel getting all the oil off, placing the dipstick in the tube and removing it VERY QUIKLY pulling it out. This way you should be able to read it better without the oil covering more area on the dip stick. Also you may need to wait several minutes with the engine off before checking the oil.

 

New to this forum. I didn't mean to start more than one. I've tried your suggestion. My eye sight isn't what it once was and I want this to be easier. Looking for a video I've seen before showing how to modify the casting. I broke one casting/dipstick trying another modification. Beware, the casting is brittle metal.

 

It does not matter what dip stick you get the oil and how suspension of fluids works you are going to get the same problem. I know that you are likely NOT pulling the dipstick out after wiping it good super-fast thinking that the oil needs to collect on the dip stick. This is common with most people and also incorrect! On this forum as well, many I often see threads and responses from members that can't seem to use a dip stick!!!!! Maybe that's why we in the automotive industry call some of our customers a "DIP STICK"! lol

As for your eyesight I understand and sympathize but then I have to wonder admitting your decline in vision why you are still driving then?

 

YouTube video about how to modify the OEM (original) dipstick.

 

Another video about modifying the dipstick. This modification is less time consuming.

 

Good luck with that. If you read what I posed you would not waste your money which will I am sure the end result. Information often posted on the internet is not accurate and tends to be more "MacGyver" then factual. LOL

I deal with dip sticks every workday and not just the oil dip stick. Nevertheless, you are not the first that just can't understand how to use and read a "DIP STICK"! lol

The second video is CLEARY the incorrect way to install a dip stick and read it even with the hacking up of the end?? LOL

The first one actually made be ROLMAO, I mean this guy installs the dip stick and twist it around. Complains about the proper seal that must be made in that type of engine and then the comment about oil falling off the dip stick.. ROLAMO!!!!!