Hi all. Anyone know where I can get hold of an oil dipstick for my 3.8 Mk2?.
I have a 2.4 stick but not sure they’re the same. Any info appreciated. I’m told by the specialist dealers that they are not available as new replacements
cheers

 

XJ-6 from 1968 to 1987 use the same length dipstick, and in fact embossed on the dipstick, it reads "3.8 / 4.2".

the difference is the Handle, that is all. XJ-6 diipstick has a plastic handle insert that came in red or yellow. The rest is steel.

If you can't find a proper MK-2 dipstick, I have a spare XJ-6 dipstick. US Mail from USA to UK will be expensive so your best bet will be a Jaguar salvage yard near you.

 

My 3.4s dip stick is marked up on the bottom with 3.4 3.8 and 4.2 so I would assume the same dip stick is used through this range of XK engines as the block is the same height. The 2.4 had a shorter block so it should have a shorter dip stick. Best bet is to look on E bay as they do come up but at the moment there are none as I have just checked for you.

 

It might be easiest to check if all the engines have the same length of extension tube for the dipstick.

 

Peter I did that already. The engine oil dipstick in my S type 3.8 liter engine is longer than in my XJ-6, so I gave up. See picture.

 

Fortunately the Jags have large sump engines like ALFA. If the oil was slightly low you would not have an issue. You would not overly stress the oil charge.

Modern engines with say 3.6 litre sumps need every ounce of oil in them to the top line of the dipstick or you overstress the oil charge. Why oil is today generally packed in 4 litre bottles & no longer 5 litres.

 

Thanks for that. I have only just noticed that my dipstick says 2.4. If it is a little short I guess it’s not too much of a problem as it will under- read . And, if anything, I will have a little too much oil if I fill to the hatched level…..
thanks for looking on EBay for me, I’ll keep looking👍

 

I finally got around to cleaning up the dipstick that came with my car (in a box). It is straight and does not have any of the displacement markings mentioned on some of the threads. When I went to put it in the engine (with correct tube in place) it was really hard to maneuver it into place. I had to bend it a little and even then it was a PITA. Everything was in the way. Looking at the pictures above and in some of the other dipstick posts, I see a dipstick with a 45 degree bend on the handle. I would assume that a Mk2 and S-Type have the same dipstick. Should I have a dipstick with bend in it for a very late 3.8 Mk2?
Thanks
Craig

 

if it's just the Handle, then as far as I know, the 45 degree handle came with 3.4 and 3.8 engines.