engine and drivetrain Dipstick question

[CamB]

I have a later 02 block with the short stub for the dipstick, but I don't have the longer tube or dipstick. Chances of finding one here are a little limited.

I do have an E30 318i M10 dipstick tube (which is one piece) and can easily get a matching dipstick. I am using the 318i manifold too, so the dipstick tube plays nicely with this.

Does anyone know if the 318i dipstick offers the correct oil level with a 2002 oil pan?

Failing that, can anyone measure for me exactly how far the 02 dipstick goes into the oil pan (to the full mark) - preferably measured from the interior of the crankcase (if you have an engine apart). It seems from my 2002 engine to be 100mm, but the tii is assembled and it really needs to be measured disassembled.

Thanks!

[BillWilliams]

Put the proper amount of oil in the thing then adjust your tube and stick to read the same.

[jgerock]

Since my oil pan is off, I just took these pictures this AM.

Camera angle is a little off, so the actual readings were:

Top (fill mark): 4-5/16" (109.54 mm)

Bottom of dipstick: 6-1/8" (155.58 mm)

Tape measure was positioned right where the dipstick protrudes into the block.

HTH

Edited to add metric units.

[jimk]

From my measurements, the dipsticks are the same length, but the tube is shorter on a 320/318. Measured from the top of the block flange to the end of the tube is 9 1/2 -9 5/8". My single piece 71 single piece straight tube is 9 5/8", the 76' block is harder measure because the hose conn and bend in the tube.

[c.d.iesel]

do as Mr. Williams says ;

use any dip stick you want - any tube you want, any

johndeere transplants you want - in the end , fill it with the correct amount of oil ( 4 liters) and just mark yer stick with a full mark .

Bob's yer Uncle.

K.I.S.S.

[jgerock]

Hmm, well CD how about telling the class why the '02 dipsticks are different with regards to the tube diameter and rubber stopper?

My original one doesn't seal up well anymore, but the replacements don't match. I think my smaller version is NLA. Per the advice of Rob Torres, I will grind some of the rubber on one of the new ones to match my original. I don't want to replace the entire tube.

[jimk]

do as Mr. Williams says ;

use any dip stick you want - any tube you want, any

johndeere transplants you want - in the end , fill it with the correct amount of oil ( 4 liters) and just mark yer stick with a full mark .

Bob's yer Uncle.

K.I.S.S.

After it's all together and oil in the pan seem a little late to be fartin around with the dipstick tube and risk dropping something in the hole.

[jimk]

Hmm, well CD how about telling the class why the '02 dipsticks are different with regards to the tube diameter and rubber stopper?

My original one doesn't seal up well anymore, but the replacements don't match. I think my smaller version is NLA. Per the advice of Rob Torres, I will grind some of the rubber on one of the new ones to match my original. I don't want to replace the entire tube.

Length from the bottom of the stopper to the full line are probably about the same. Are they?

[CamB]

Thanks guys (and in particular Jim - thats exactly what I was after).

I had considered just filling her up and marking to suit... but I have an oil cooler. I also would not completely trust BMW's measurement for 4 litres being for a completely empty engine vs one which has had the oil drained, if you know what I mean.

I will track down a 318i dipstick and measure up compared to Jim's measurements.

[CamB]

From my measurements, the dipsticks are the same length, but the tube is shorter on a 320/318. Measured from the top of the block flange to the end of the tube is 9 1/2 -9 5/8". My single piece 71 single piece straight tube is 9 5/8", the 76' block is harder measure because the hose conn and bend in the tube.

FWIW, the 318i E30 one I have is 365mm (more than 14").

[jgerock]

Measured from the bottom end of the rubber stopper to the fill line:

New ones 13-15/16" and my original (small) is exactly 14".