Oil dipstick broke

[kettles]

I was chekcing my oil level today when the top plastic portion of the dipstick broke down the middle. It is now completely unusable. My question is:

Can I still drive the car without the dipstick in? Will this effect oil pressure?

I am unsure whether any of the platic fell into the oil tank (if it did the piece was about a millimeter big), what should I do?

The closest Audi dealer is two hours away so hopefully they will be able to ship me one.

Thanks,
BK

[Shak]

Oh man when I read this title, I was so happy I wasn't the only one that broke their dipstick.

Well, mine didn't exactly break like yours.. I tried to "unscrew" the tipstick and broke off the part you grab out with. It still "works" but there isnt a whole lot to grab it with.

I think you should be able to find a replacement dipstick for pretty cheap, though I don't know if a generic one would with our cars. For now, you might just want to get something to seal it up.

[kettles]

The handle of mine was broken off before this happened. I would suggest replacing it when you get a chance so it doesnt break like mine. I dont think they were made to withstand the extra force needed to get them out after the handle breaks off.

[hiphawpdrunkie]

My handle broke off also, but a replacement is only like 17 bucks at the dealer. You should be fine driving it there.

[manguyen]

broke mine about 6 months ago.... i got a replacement, but it still dont fit in right. every time i pull on the dip stick... the tube comes up with it.

[kettles]

Do you think I could get one from a VW dealer (much closer to my house)? If so, what is the part number?

[47Ronin]

go to a junk yard and ick one up for liek $5 ... its the same dipstick as the b5

[A4 Moda]

Yes, you'll be fine.
The newer ones have a thicker RING and base attachment, and is glossy orange, rather than flat orange.

It's a common problem, dont sweat it

[diagnosticator]

Guide Funnel PN: 06B 103 663 B, Dipstick PN: 06B 115 611 C. Yes, a VW dealer can order it if they do not have it in stock.
If the dipstick tube does not seal now, remove the stick and cap or plug the tube tightly until you get the replacement parts. No worries about the chip down the tube, it won't hurt anything.

[dagmz6s]

be careful removing the old tube, the older ones are pretty brittle and sometimes dont come up in one piece. Its usually suggested to change your oil afterwards to get out any potential pieces of plastic that might have fallen down the dipstick tube.

[HeymyAudi]

Lets see My brothers broke on his B5 and mine Broke about 3 months ago

[fritzner]

my handle broke off a few months ago, but it was more or less fine until last wknd when it started crumbling apart..

anyone know of a good place to order online??..
i've searched around and only find the funnel.. AFAIK my funnel is fine, any reason to replace anyway??..

[darkstar]

haha i broke off my girls when i was checking her oil it was awesome!

[Rawkus_A4]

Mine just broke last week. How funny!!!

[Pete4 1.8t]

Mine broke off the first time I went to check the oil right after I got the car! However when I took it to the dealer they replaced it under warranty with a much more substantial bright orange one that's in the shape of an "O". I think new it's like a 22 USD part though.

[bojacks]

wtf?!? is this another coil pack wide spread problem!?!? I have never broken a dip stick in ANY CAR, EVER!! what kind of material does Audi make these things outta, cardboard??

[vinny.dtw]

i agree, i was just thinking that. How many little defects do we have on our cars!!

[A4 Moda]

It took me 4 years to break my dipstick.

Are you guys all in a big ass fuss rush to rip the dipstick out of the car or something? Slow and easy does the trick.

[Pete4 1.8t]

I think mine was cracked when I got the car though LOL. I went to push it back in and the handle came right off in my hand. A real nice feeling right after I got the car haha.

[Laconvail]

Its even better working at a dealer and you are changing the oil and go to check it and the ring breaks off. Seeing as how youre not convincing the customer to buy one they normally get replaced for free.

[ratty]

Woah! Epidemic!

I broke mine a couple of weeks ago when I dropped the battery on it

[jonan]

Mine broke the day after I bought my car, I prayed to the Gods that this wasn't a prediction of bad things to come with this car...

[hyperspeed]

broke mine last week. 13 bucks at dealership. STEALERSHIP!

[KnivesOut]

I was fencing with mine the other day and I poked someone's eye out...

[a4000]

Mine broke today, the orange part crumbled and a small fragment may have fallen down the funnel. Anyone have any ill effects from this?

[topcat]

I don't think there's any ill effects. For peace of mind, I had my oil pan dropped and cleaned out to get all of mine out. It pretty much crumbled oneday and most of it fell in. Anyway, good chance to clean the screen and check for any evidence of sludge. I had about a 10K gap in service records, so I bit the bullet to get all this work done.

[A4_Mike]

My oil dipstick handle broke a couple of days after buying the car used (~62,000 miles) and the dealership replaced it at no cost to me with a new B7 version.

[HeymyAudi]

Buy one mine broke I changed it out for $23.00 bucks

[NyteEscape]

my handle broke, but it still works fine. just can't grip it that easily.

[old guy]

Mine split in half a few years ago. It was replaced under warranty. Obviously it's mad out of some low grade plastic that can't handle the constant heat cycle. The replacement is made differently and hopefully Audi/VW corrected the problem with the newer ones.

[davidx08]

yeah my handle started falling apart and is barely hanging in there

[belfi]

Handle was broken on mine when I bought the car and the funnel finally went at ~60K. Hopefully the newer glossy orange 'stick and funnel will hold up better than the old flat orange ones.

Each part is about $12 or so at the dealer, free install for the funnel. I was capable of handling the dipstick install.

[warning]

So, I started smelling burnt oil in my car. I opened the hood to see WTF!!! Their were oil around my oil cap and on the plastic valve cover cover. I hope that made sense. I also saw oil spots at random places in the engine bay and the plastic under belly had oil all over it. I checked the valve cover and it was okay. I checked the back of the valve cover where the CCT is and it looked fine. I did notice that my oil dipstick was broken and when i pulled the dipstick off, it wasn't snug in the tube. I was able to remove it with a very light pull.

Questions:
Do you guys think the oil could have come from the dip stick tube? When the dip stick is in the tube, is it supposed to be snug?

Here are some pictures.

[AudiSeefu]

mine broke about a year ago when I dropped my battery on it.

[K1200GT]

I replaced the tube/funnel thing just because it was so cheap, seemed like a failure prone part and I could see a little oil leak. Then the dipstick was hard to remove from the tube so I got a new dipstick too. The new dipstick has an O-Ring seal and fits perfectly in the new tube, Very Nice! So just replace both parts from the start with the better designed ones.

06B115611M DIPSTICK $ 7.37 genuineaudiparts.com
06B103663G FUNNEL $ 5.59 genuineaudiparts.com

While you're at it replace the oil filler cap seal too.
059103487 $ 1.01 genuineaudiparts.com

[A4donkey]

I replaced the tube/funnel thing just because it was so cheap, seemed like a failure prone part and I could see a little oil leak. Then the dipstick was hard to remove from the tube so I got a new dipstick too. The new dipstick has an O-Ring seal and fits perfectly in the new tube, Very Nice! So just replace both parts from the start with the better designed ones.

06B115611M DIPSTICK $ 7.37 genuineaudiparts.com
06B103663G FUNNEL $ 5.59 genuineaudiparts.com

While you're at it replace the oil filler cap seal too.
059103487 $ 1.01 genuineaudiparts.com

I found cracks on mine as well, is the funnel a screw type or just plug-in type, how easy to have it install? any precautions?

[manhertm]

Your "broken oil dipstick" member number is #999,996, like the the "torn left bolster" club we also have a millionth member award.

[gq9]

Mine split in half a few years ago. It was replaced under warranty. Obviously it's mad out of some low grade plastic that can't handle the constant heat cycle. The replacement is made differently and hopefully Audi/VW corrected the problem with the newer ones.

I've had a broken dipstick forever. Can it really be replaced under warranty?

[woofster]

+2 on the broken oil dipstick.

1 is for my old B5 which had a broken dipstick since I first bought it. Eventually replaced it a week before I sold it!

The other 1 is for my B6 which had a cracked handle since I first bought it. Replaced that one within a few weeks. :)

[K1200GT]

I found cracks on mine as well, is the funnel a screw type or just plug-in type, how easy to have it install? any precautions?

The plastic funnel tube just pushes onto the short black metal tube coming up from the engine block. The old one was a pain to remove, I used a razor knife to put a couple slits in the old tube then pulled it up and out. New one just pushes on from above.