Broke Dipstick on 96 850 w/ 140K

Tsquared · Post by **Tsquared** » 02 Aug 2007, 21:51

Performed the 140K service today. When I went to check the oil the ring broke off on the dipstick. I fished out the broken part, from the o-ring down with a pair of pliers. The plastic was very brittle. Called the local dealer $43 and 3 days. Checked with FCP Groton and it was $15 w/ $8.50 shipping and 3 days. Per Homer, "Duh!". It shipped today...

Other than the dipstick glitch the service went with out a hitch. I wrapped a .357 slug in a clean shop towel to plug the dipstick hole. I am letting my INDY replace the timing belt/pulley/tensioner/acc belt in two weeks.

I cleaned and prepped the bumpers for the gray Krylon for plastic - looks good. The only other trim concerns is that it has the original roof trim that is functional and two leather panels on the passenger seat will need to be replaced in a few years.

At 140K this 850 N/A has all electronics working, cold A/C, and three issues;
The dipstick will be fixed next week.
The timing belt in two weeks.
Struts and spring seats in October/November.

MadeInAmerica · Post by **MadeInAmerica** » 02 Aug 2007, 22:35

Keep your old dipstick and make sure the length is the same as the new one. There were changes to the length of dipsticks on some years. Some people had bought dipsticks with the same part number as the broken one and the lengths were different.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 03 Aug 2007, 18:04

What MIA says is true....best bet is to take your old dipstick into the dealer and have them bring all of the 850 dipsticks they have in the back out and match things up that way. For my S70, I found a '95 850 dipstick that way to be the correct length. If you change out with their "new" dipstick, you have to change the tube it goes in as well....what a crock!