cherod
N/A
I have this same prob w my fuel tanks dip sticks ( no guages
) but it is easy just to lay a piece of blue paper roll towel flat and put the dipstick onto it , it shows up very clearly 
Yanmar dipstick thread broken
- Thread starter Caladh
- Start date
) but it is easy just to lay a piece of blue paper roll towel flat and put the dipstick onto it , it shows up very clearly 
Refueler
Well-Known Member
I have this same prob w my fuel tanks dip sticks ( no guages
Chalk ...
Its an old Surveyors trick ... rub chalk on the dipstick ... dip - remove - look before it evaporates ..
Another is to paint stick with matt black chalk-board paint ...
Any stiff armoured mains cable with the black outer insulation cover ? That is good ..
My two tanks on my Primor MoBo - no gauges - so that's dipsticks.
My SR25 sailboat has a gauge and display - but when filling - I always play safe with dispstick ... being diesel it shows quite well on the old stick ... I have a white tape on the underside of the bunk board covering the tank ... which is marked off in 10ltr steps .. hold stick up to it .. direct read off.
DinghyMan
Well-Known Member
You can probably use an aluminium drain plug, M18 x 1.5, similar to 
to do a DIY repair
Out of interest could you measure the stick part of the dipstick and post up the dimensions, I may look into making some sensible priced replacements
to do a DIY repairOut of interest could you measure the stick part of the dipstick and post up the dimensions, I may look into making some sensible priced replacements
rogerthebodger
Well-Known Member
Lots of M18 x 1.5 thread screws on E bay so to make a dip stick the fitted would be easy
M18 X 1 5 Bolt for sale | eBay
M18 X 1 5 Bolt for sale | eBay
noelex
Well-Known Member
It is a common problem. I use a thin clear plastic tube about the size of drinking straw. Put this in the gearbox to same depth as the original dipstick. Then you put your finger on the outer end, forming a seal. When you withdraw the tube the gearbox oil will remain and the level can be easily seen.
Refueler
Well-Known Member
The other way of course is to be as bad as me .... leave the oil change long enough so water gets in and it then looks like yoghurt ... easy to see on stick then.
rogerthebodger
Well-Known Member
I had the dip sticks I made for my fuel tanks colour zinc plated mat black so I could mark every 25 liters depth and make the dip stick easy to read similar to paint with mat black paint
I picked the chalk tip from my local petrol station who used that trick on their aluminum tank dip sticks
I picked the chalk tip from my local petrol station who used that trick on their aluminum tank dip sticks
DinghyMan
Well-Known Member
M18 drain plug and some tube:
There is the breather hole just below the bottom of the plug, one in the nut at the end, and it needs an O ring rather than a copper washer
There is the breather hole just below the bottom of the plug, one in the nut at the end, and it needs an O ring rather than a copper washer
john_morris_uk
Well-Known Member
Our Audi Q5 doesn’t have a dipstick either. One of the few things I dislike about the car.
MattS
Well-Known Member
@Caladh This happened to mine too. I went with a Cariblue replacement in the end - excellent quality, and although pricey at the time you soon forget about it once you stop worrying about how long it will be until the next plastic one breaks again.
Which gearbox do you have? I did buy a replacement Yanmar dipstick initially, which ended up being the wrong length for my gearbox. I think I still have it unused in a packet somewhere. If it is the right size for your gearbox, I'd be happy to let you have it for a more palatable price than a new one! Feel free to send me a DM if interested.
Caladh
Well-Known Member
That very kind but I splashed out last week on a new Yanmar one. I’ve glued the old one and sprayed the s/s to use as a dipper so I can actually see more clearly the level. Yes I know I could have just bought a “plug” as posted above.
Plum
Well-Known Member
Yes, I use that technique too.
