W. 21, 722.6 transmission dipstick. Correct length??

[james2747]

I have a late 2003 E270Cdi with the 5 speed auto box ... 722.6.
No dipstick provided as standard so I've attempted to purchase a dipstick for this transmission off a well known auction site!
I now have 2 useless dipsticks as neither appears to be the correct length.
One I can feel bottoming out while a few inches of the dipstick remain sticking out of the top of the tube, so obviously too long .... while the other doesn't appear to reach the oil level as it comes up dry.
Gearbox works fine so I assume it must have a reasonable amount of oil in it but would be good to check it accurately .... especially if I want to do a transmission oil and filter change.
120cm appears to be a length that is shown in the ads (see photo) ... but there is also a 122cm and a 92cm dipstick listed as suitable for this transmission.
They can't all be correct!!
I would think it needs to be the correct length to at least the nearest millimetre for accuracy.
The critical measurement is surely the length from the top of the dipstick tube (where the collar of the dipstick locates) to the tip of the dipstick.
Does anyone know what this should be or where I may find this information?

 

[bembo449]

I think there may be a DIY how to make your own dipstick using curtain wire , I know I followed it when doing the TCU repair on my 221 , so have a search OR hopefully someone will be along to linky it for you

 

[LostKiwi]

Too long is correct.
The dipstick is meant to bottom out with some remaining out of the tube. It's only for diagnosis and is not intended to remain in the gearbox permanently.

 

[John Laidlaw]

^ this precisely, the critical measurement is how much is showing up on the bottom of the dipstick...

 

[Wighty]

The black plastic ”diamond” shape is the part that sets the measuring section in the correct spot above the the gearbox oil.
Measured hot after a 20 min drive , engine running , gearbox in Park , on a level surface

 

[Rory]

They're like this:



I got mine, with the diamond, off eBay. Overall, it's miles longer than the dipstick tube. I've never seen one like the one on the right.

 

[Wighty]

They're like this:

View attachment 65418

I got mine, with the diamond, off eBay. Overall, it's miles longer than the dipstick tube. I've never seen one like the one on the right.

The one on the right is more the diy type where you put curtain wire down and measure it

 

[RhodieBill]

The 1200mm (Approx) is the correct one. There is usually a couple of inches sticking out when the "Diamond" part reaches the stop. (As on the left of illustration above in Post #6).
The Dipstick is not left in the Tube. I keep mine in the Boot. And make sure the Rubber 'O' Ring is in the Cap so as to seal the Tube.

 

[Jim2]

Does not matter how long it is ( as long as it's long enough ) a few ( or more) inches of overhang is not a problem, its the business end where it reaches the actual oil level in the sump is what matters,,you can see in the attachment how it looks..., and the one in the pic is 120mm.

 

[james2747]

Does not matter how long it is ( as long as it's long enough ) a few ( or more) inches of overhang is not a problem, its the business end where it reaches the actual oil level in the sump is what matters,,you can see in the attachment how it looks..., and the one in the pic is 120mm. View attachment 65424

Hello Jim2
Thank you for your reply and excellent photo.
I now understand from your reply (and some of the others) that the overall length isn't critical ... as long as its long enough ... but the measuring end is the important bit.
This section looks like its just over 80mm in your photo but was that just a typo error when you said it was 120mm?
When I inserted my longer dipstick (about 1200mm long) I could feel the plastic measuring section bottoming out and this plastic 'measuring bit' flexing, no matter how gentle I put it in, so that must have given a slightly false reading.
Will try a few 'dip' sessions to try to get the right feel when inserting so to speak and hopefully achieve some consistent readings, understanding that temperature needs to be same on each dip if trying to compare.
Thanks again for your reply ... much appreciated.

 

[james2747]

They're like this:

View attachment 65418

I got mine, with the diamond, off eBay. Overall, it's miles longer than the dipstick tube. I've never seen one like the one on the right.

Hi Rory
Thank you very much for your reply.
A very useful diagram that explains a lot.
Much appreciated.
regards
James

 

[Jim2]

Hello Jim2
Thank you for your reply and excellent photo.
I now understand from your reply (and some of the others) that the overall length isn't critical ... as long as its long enough ... but the measuring end is the important bit.
This section looks like its just over 80mm in your photo but was that just a typo error when you said it was 120mm?
When I inserted my longer dipstick (about 1200mm long) I could feel the plastic measuring section bottoming out and this plastic 'measuring bit' flexing, no matter how gentle I put it in, so that must have given a slightly false reading.
Will try a few 'dip' sessions to try to get the right feel when inserting so to speak and hopefully achieve some consistent readings, understanding that temperature needs to be same on each dip if trying to compare.
Thanks again for your reply ... much appreciated.

Here attached is the other end, I have a few of them,,,all 120mm. 2nd pic shows exactly where the dipstick enters the sump on the transmision housing. ( its ringed in red) Now to complete the agenda, all I'm waiting for is some kind and helpfull person, who is in the process of doing an oil change on a 722.6 trans, and who has ( or is planning to) drop the sump, and who can put the dipstick in place, while the sump is down, and take a few pic's of it in situ. Regarding the flexibility you are feeling when you insert the dipstick.....thats normal, because when the " Black Diamond) reaches it's stop, that's it as far as the measuring tip is concerned ..the flexibility you are feeling after that , is in the cable itself. In the 3rd pic, you can see the difference the temperature makes to the oil level...its very important, and in the 4th pic, where I marked the dipstick and placed a grommet at the point where its in the correct position to take a reading.

 

[Wighty]

Hello Jim2
Thank you for your reply and excellent photo.
I now understand from your reply (and some of the others) that the overall length isn't critical ... as long as its long enough ... but the measuring end is the important bit.
This section looks like its just over 80mm in your photo but was that just a typo error when you said it was 120mm?
When I inserted my longer dipstick (about 1200mm long) I could feel the plastic measuring section bottoming out and this plastic 'measuring bit' flexing, no matter how gentle I put it in, so that must have given a slightly false reading.
Will try a few 'dip' sessions to try to get the right feel when inserting so to speak and hopefully achieve some consistent readings, understanding that temperature needs to be same on each dip if trying to compare.
Thanks again for your reply ... much appreciated.

The plastic measuring section is not bottoming out , it’s the diamond part seating itself . The flexing you feel is the flexible metal handle handle moving/compressing in the dipstick tube .
A slight push to seat the diamond part is all that’s required