Observation about oil dipstick insertion 'smoothness'

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by UltraJetRefill, Feb 6, 2019.

  1. UltraJetRefill

    UltraJetRefill Member

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    I noticed after a few oil changes that inserting the oil dipstick in my Prius is smooth, but the one in my wife's (same year, 2017) seems to bind (grabs, maybe?) a bit. I always insert them so the flat side of the dipstick bends with the dipstick tube (if that makes sense).

    Just wondering if anyone else has noticed this?
     
    #1 UltraJetRefill, Feb 6, 2019
  2. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    That's the way I do it.

    Maybe the tube is damaged?
     
    #2 padroo, Feb 6, 2019
  3. UltraJetRefill

    UltraJetRefill Member

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    I'll take a better look at it after work.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #3 UltraJetRefill, Feb 6, 2019
  4. UltraJetRefill

    UltraJetRefill Member

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    Tube looks ok from what I can see. I'll have a better look tomorrow. I'll have a better look at the dipstick too. I wonder if it's just a little rough at the end, who knows.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #4 UltraJetRefill, Feb 6, 2019
  5. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    Try your dipstick in the wife's car and vice versa, that should tell you if it's the stick or the tube.
     
    #5 kithmo, Feb 7, 2019
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  6. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    You might have to twist it as it begins to bind and this should free it up. That's what I do.
     
    #6 FuelMiser, Feb 7, 2019
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  7. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Did you try oiling it? :D

    Sorry. Can't help myself sometimes. :oops:
     
    #7 jerrymildred, Feb 7, 2019
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  8. UltraJetRefill

    UltraJetRefill Member

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    Good call. Going to try that today.
     
    #8 UltraJetRefill, Feb 7, 2019
  9. UltraJetRefill

    UltraJetRefill Member

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    Sadly, I did. ;)
     
    #9 UltraJetRefill, Feb 7, 2019
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  10. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    If the dipsticks are the same try swapping them, just an idea.
     
    #10 padroo, Feb 7, 2019
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  11. UltraJetRefill

    UltraJetRefill Member

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    Yep, going to give that a go in a day or so. Dipsticks are only US$12 or so, so if it's a little rough I'll probably just buy another. If it's the tube, I'll just live with it.
     
    #11 UltraJetRefill, Feb 7, 2019
  12. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    See post #5 :rolleyes:
     
    #12 kithmo, Feb 8, 2019
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  13. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    I can tell you from experience the dipsticks between Gen 3 and Gen 4 are the same. The tubes are bent slightly differently. There are boltholes cast into the block. The Gen 3 uses the outer (crankshaft) side hole to bolt to, and the Gen 4 uses the inner hole to bolt to. I would even guess that any car that uses the 2ZR engine design has the same dipstick.
     
    #13 cnc97, Feb 8, 2019
  14. alanwagen

    alanwagen Member

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    Ours has become easier with time. It was sort of rough at first.
     
    #14 alanwagen, Feb 27, 2019
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