Well, i am now one of the number of owners whose dipstick broke...I went to remove it the other day, just as I always did, and SNAP! I was stunned to see that it is made of FIBER covered with a metal sheath - basically, it looks like a piece of jute with a thin cover of metal! What an obscenely poor design...

I have tried the "modified parts grabber" approach already - no luck.
The end seems to be right at the bend in the dipstick tube - I can feel it with the tip of the grabber, but it is SO stuck, it won't budge...

I have a MCS - is it or is it not possible to remove the dipstick tube without disassembling the car? I know that it bolts in two places, the lower bolt to the supercharger being the problem one - what must I remove to get at this?

Any suggestions?

 

When this happens we either remove the oil pan and pull it out or put the front end in service mode and pull the dipstick tube. Sorry not really an easier way to get it unless you get lucky. If you have the common leaky oil pan gasket, do it now.

 

To remove the oil pan, do I have to still put the car in service mode?
I had planned to try and pull the bumper, etc. and MFE out of the way and get at the tube that way...

Which is "easier" - to remove the oil pan or remove the front?

Thanks!

 

Hope nobody minds me reviving this thread. Has anyone replaced the OEM dipstick with an aftermarket one that is sturdier? Can anyone suggest a brand/model that fits?

 

Craven used to make/sell one but it seems there was not enough demand for it at the price point that made it feasible......I got to the Mini party late but I would gladly have bought one.

[EDIT] Found some at MiniCorsa if they are really still available: http://www.minicorsa.com/products_r53_power.html

 

$80? Ouch! I'll take my chances with the stocker and just not be an animal with it.

 

Here's a link on a metal dipstick DIY that is by far cheaper than $80.00. Good luck.

 

To drop the pan, you need to put it in service mode anyway, so start there. You have a 90% chance of getting the dipstick out by removing the tube, so start there.

 

When mine broke it broke near the top of the tube but it was stuck well enough that grabbers would not work. I ended up using a little GB Weld to glue a rod to the shaft being careful not to use too much weld so I did not glue the shaft to the tube. After a couple tries (not enough glue the first time) I was able to twist/pull the shaft out of the tube.

 

I'm glad you did revive this thread. I'm late to the MINI pary too, and I didn't even know this was a problem! Now that I know, Imma look into a replacement BEFORE mine breaks. (Why do they do stuff like this? Oil dipsticks were perfected in, what like, 1906??)

 

No kidding! I have seen some universal fit dipsticks at the typical Advance Auto Parts and the like, I might take mine and compare, might get lucky for much cheaper.

 

I tried to order one...they are no longer available.