ATF Dip stick - correct measurement method

television

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If you use cable it must not be too thick or it will stop at the end of the dipstick tube
 

Parrot of Doom

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The length of the dipstick is immaterial. All that matters is that the measurements for the plastic tip, on which min and max are marked, are spot on.

The measurement is taken with the tip touching the sump.
 

Jonski

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Thanks again for the replies, but I think I need to try to clarify my problem:

1. - Homemade electric cable dipstick - I can push it 68cm and then no further, it registers no fluid (engine cold).
2. - Homemade net curtain style dipstick - I can push it in 76cm and then no further, it registers 8.5 cm of fluid (engine cold)... [but is it tracking along the sump bottom.]

So, either the box is underfilled , or overfilled (it shouldn't be, as the black cap seal was intact), depending on which dipstick I believe. :confused:, Which is why I ask if anyone knows how many cm.s of a valid dipstick should be down the tube, when it reaches the bottom of the sump?

By the way, the symptoms I'm concerned about are :
- Intermittently, I can't get the car out of 'Park'.
- When I override the lock (using screwdriver), car engages in 'crawl home' mode.

I wonder if those symptoms mean anything specific to anyone?
 

Parrot of Doom

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Its quite simple, as soon as you feel the stick hit the bottom, that's where the measurement is taken. Mark the bottom of your stick with the measurements provided here:

dip3.jpg


If you can't feel the electric cable hit the bottom, its either too flexible to notice, or too fat to fit.

I have the official MB dipstick, there's at least a couple of feet of it that stick out the top when the measurement is taken.
 

rich.g.williams

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its possible the 1mm diam bare copper wire is snagging above the sump (there is a lip just above the sump) so just rotate the copper wire a few times when it hits the top lip, it should then go into the sump and then hit the bottom of the sump pan

1.5mm diameter bare copper wire might be better if you have it

looks like your transmission might be slightly overfilled?

seems that your electronic selector lever (or floor shift mechanism?) is jamming in park, there are posts about this and the various causes

suggest you get the "jamming in park" fixed such that the safety interlock is working properly before worrying about any possible gearbox fault
 

rich.g.williams

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PS

If I had a E320CDI Yr 2000 I would measure what you want, but then your car might have a different length dipstick tube depending upon lots of possible reasons.
 

television

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PS

If I had a E320CDI Yr 2000 I would measure what you want, but then your car might have a different length dipstick tube depending upon lots of possible reasons.

Yes I agree the tube lenght is different on most of the car and no guide at all to the amount of fluid
 

Jonski

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Stuck in Park/Measure gearbox fluid level

Thanks for the helpful replies/comments. I tried again to measure the ATF level, this time with a B&Q flexible spring drain unblocking tool (a bit like extra thick net curtain wire). With the engine at 80C, I did indeed find about 5cm of fluid (engine running and in Park). This compared to about 8cm in a cold engine which was not running. So judging from the comments above she's ok for fluid level. For what its worth I had about 76cm of dipstick from the top of the tube down to the base of the sump on my W210 E320 CDI late Yr 2000 model.

For the 'Stuck in Park' problem - as a first step I charged the battery, which seemed to cure the problem (though the fact that she's been indoors for a week or two may also have helped?). At any rate, I replaced the existing battery (after 9 years I figure if its not a problem now, then it soon will be). I have not had the 'Stuck in Park' problem recur, so I hope it was a low-voltage problem. I'm still waiting for my replacement brake light switch to arrive, changing this will be my next step if the problem happens again. Will update this thread if the problem comes back. Thanks again.
 

television

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At least you can rest in peace now :D
 

panason1c

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I originally posted that piccie of the dipstick shown in post #44 some years ago, is it possible to claim royalties?...i could use the dosh.....:)
 

Frontstep

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I think Princess (pushy) Michael of kent has spent them
 

television

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I originally posted that piccie of the dipstick shown in post #44 some years ago, is it possible to claim royalties?...i could use the dosh.....:)

Sorry the rule was not stamped and certified with the weights and measures stamp
 

bill sparnon

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just bought a 2000 e class diesel, trying to find my way around the car. can anyone tll me where I can buy the official MB dip stick for the autobox please. Thanks. Bill
 

nickcc101

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You can try the dealer but failing this have a look on ebay. Bought mine about 3 years ago from one of the USA sellers for about £25, genuine workshop tool.

Welcome to the Forum.
 

47p2

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Mercedes-2010

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>>It is a sump and nothing else

Yes.

I think you might be surprised on the issue of tolerances though.

What I was describing is how the MB dipstick actually works. It has been designed using the same German logic that gives us 0.01mm wheel bearing clearances!, and this engineering logic applied all over is what makes the cars as good as they are.

I know these points make no sense at all to pragmatic British tinkerers, but, look what's happened to our car industry!

Just wondering if anyone could post up a photo of an original MB and a homemade dipstick and perhaps get a concise description of how to do the test, that would really be apreciated ;)

I'd willingly do it, IF, I knew what I was doing and had the tools..

Maybe we could take some piccy's of the proceedure at the Jamaica Inn meet?


I'm aware that there are piccy's on here, it's just for comparison..
Regards Dave
 
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handy pete

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hi, i just checked mine & it was low, hot gear oil correct level is about 6CM from the tip of the black bit or if you have numbers 1-12 like mine its around number 11. if you look at the picture you will see original mercedes dipstick has the little diamond shape stop. most sticks off ebay are now made this way. I believe the first "stop" you feel may be the tip of the stick passing the bottom of the tube where there is a slight lip & the second "stop" is the diamond hitting the lip just as it should. the stick never hits the bottom unless its a really cheapo without the stop.
 

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rich.g.williams

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PS

If I had a E320CDI Yr 2000 I would measure what you want, but then your car might have a different length dipstick tube depending upon lots of possible reasons.
Just to clarify, in recent months I came to realise (from reading other posts and checking myself) that for the 722.6 5G-Tronic the dipstick datum is moulded into the conductor plate also there is a moulding on the dipstick that fits into it.

The top end of the dipstick is not a datum and the bottom end of the dipstick does not contact the sump cover.
 

balderdash

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Hi been on this forum 4 o 5 years but never added to a thread.,Sorry After reading every item on the the Web about dip stick lengths as rich says the tubes are a different lengths. Just had oil and filter change,As small leak. Usually do it myself but have problems now , so got mechanic to measure stick with sump off and distance to sump on our mercedes 2010 c220 w204 blueEfficiancy saloon 722.6 5 speed. Its 27" total length to stop fixed a rubber gromit on it, Was different on my old 2009 s220 w204. A garage I went to before checked oil for me with my dip stick Took it right up to 34" and it had oil right up to and passed spring part got to have bent it in to pan bottom, said it was correct.??? knew he had no idea. So that's why I went else where. Might help some one on here as there is an older model that the length is 34" PS aftermarket dip stick off ebay but same as mercedes one on plastic end . Cheers.
 

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