I noticed that this small plastic peice fell off of my dipstick and I was wondering what purpose does it serve? If you cant tell by the picture it slips on the dipstick and is supposed to stay in the middle but this one keeps falling off and I dont want it to end up in the pan.

 

I don't think that piece has any function except, maybe, to eliminate the stick rattling in its tube. The important part to have is the part that seals the dipstick hole from vapor pressure...near the handle.

 

i think it keeps stick centered, so as to not wipe oil of the end as you remove it. I noticed i did not have one when i replaced mine with a new junkyard one, yellow end.
I love junk yards.

 

Thanks guys, I know the top part of the dipstick seals it, but i wasnt sure about this part and I didnt want my clean rebuilt motor to be covered in oil. I will try to make it to the junk yard and get a new one because the dealer wants $25 for a new one. What years did the yellow top dipstick come on?

 

i have an 88, think i got one out of a 90

 

So what happens if there isn't a good seal at the top of the dipstick. Mine has never had a good seal since I bought it and I guess it could rattle. What damage or ill effects could this cause?

 

 

LOL Better tighten up Jimmy

 

This post has been superceded by the post below it.

 

Mostly the same things that would happen if you removed your oil cap. There's a thread about it somewhere on here.

 

haha, abe, you double poster

 

haha, abe, you double poster

 

Yeah, I guess it was funnier the second time. Therefore I'm making the second time the first and the first time a Public Service Announcement referring to the second post.

 

why must you try and confuse me abe... it's been a rough enough day...

 

You mean if I don't fix the seal there will be a thread with 5000+ posts about nothing with a title something like "Loose dipstick makes my engine run funny"