2000 V70 5-speed auto transmission dipstick

[scot850]

Another of Volvo designers frickin' stupid designs. They only have a short dipstick for these 5 speed auto trans and they position it directly under the main wiring harness which makes access near impossible without bending the plastic dipstick. On a turbo it is worse as the turbo pipework is also n the way so it can only be accessed from below in a tight gap with teflon fingers.

In this case, I was trying to pull this out to check trans fluid lever and the piece of crap has snapped off just below the top seal.

So, questions:

1) I have to buy another (none in PnP currently), but do I have to fish the old one out, and if so how?

2) Can I just leave it in there or is there something it could foul on that can destroy the transmission?

Thanks,

Neil.

[scot850]

I now have to give a huge shout-out to my boss (SWMBO as abscate says). Just when I was about to set fire to the car (again) she asked if I could fish it out with a barb or hook. Hardest part was visibility as both the lower rad hose and main wiring harness are in the way. With some pushing and moderated engineering language (as the boss was present) we managed to open up enough of a gap to get reasonable visibility right down the dipstick tube to see the top of the remaining lower dipstick portion fortunately jammed by the bend into the trans. Looking through the tool draws I found a long forgotten set of dental picks. These are nice and stiff with sharp bent tips on them. Taping one to a long narrow screw driver allowed us to drag the dipstick remains up to the top of the tube and due to the bend of the tube it could have come out but for the clip that holds the dipstick in place. A pair of tweezers deftly manouvered by my wife managed to grab the end of the dipstick and raise it sufficiently for me to grab it and pull it out. Awesome teamwork, but a huge thanks to my wife for the help and calming affect and saving the day! She may have to watch out when she retires next year she may get a job in the garage!

Now just have to buy a new dipstick unless I can access the one in the spare trans hidden under a pile in the corner!

Neil.

[wizechatmgr]

Not that it applies here anymore but for the record, you "could" leave another in there without issue as far as it causing damage is concerned as long as it doesn't interfere with getting a good fluid level with the "new" dipstick. Most valve bodies have a filter and the angle of the dipstick prevents it from going anywhere it could cause damage.

With that said, I'd fish it out too =)

[Roger_850T]

I'm glad you got it out! I think I would have a hard time stuffing a second one down the tube with the first one in there.

Roger

[scot850]

I was thinking of leaving it in there, but without knowing what problems it may cause when the option presented to remove it I did. I also think it may have prevented a new dipstick being able to be fitted due to the sharp turn in the pipe.

I honestly don't know why they have a cold marking on the dipstick as I can never get a reading on it as fluid always get caught in the tube and smears way up past the hot markings.

Neil.