Hi guys,

Another thread regarding my 2003 STR,

Pulled the dipstick out to check the oil, noticed it was difficult to pull out.

Go to reinsert the dipstick into the dipstick tube, and it goes in VERY difficult.

Remove dipstick again to examine it, looks like at the very end/tip, there is some damage and it is twisted. Straighten out the damage, figure it will go in smooth this time, but nope, still goes in very rough, and this time, when I pull it out, the damage has returned to the tip of the dipstick...

Seems like the dipstick tube itself must be crushed or pinched somewhere lower down by the block... visible in the damage the dipstick takes every time i reinsert it.

Has anyone ever experienced this?

I would like to drain the oil and filter, but I don't know if I can trust the reading on the end of the dipstick.

Can anyone say within a reasonable degree of accuracy, just how much oil goes into their 4.2 supercharged s-type after a oil drain and filter change?

Thanks,

Change my oil regular, 6 ltrs is right capacity...!

In US speak, 6.5 quarts should be about right with a filter change.

Oops forgot which forum i was on, tally ho chaps...!

my manual says 6.9 quarts for the US

Caution: you don't quite get it all out.

The dipstick by design has a twist in its end (looks to be 90 degrees).

Like this:

I can't make that out. All clear except the end. Maybe try a pic with the ruler close but not under the dipstick?

I just happened to have that pic laying around from the guy who wanted to make his own dipstick sometime ago.

Hmm okay so it does have a twist in the end... I sort of straightened it out when the twisty tip came out semi-mangled,might need to consider a dipstick replacement now, but I don't think the dipstick itself is preventing me from getting it seated and down the dipstick tube itself. I am going to improvise a new dipstick from a long length of stainless welding wire, even if its just to see or 'feel out' where the problem is along the tube itself. Very strange though, because in all my years, I have never come across a damage dip stick tube...possibly damaged when being serviced or overhauled by previous owner? Will post updates later today.

It's mysterious. First one I can recall, too.