Does everyone with a mark 2 octavia have the odd looking, extremely well designed, two ball type dipstick?

I'm finding it really difficult to read & was wondering if a flat type dipstick exists, and whether one can be used instead.

Thanks

MP

Does everyone with a mark 2 octavia have the odd looking, extremely well designed, two ball type dipstick?

I'm finding it really difficult to read & was wondering if a flat type dipstick exists, and whether one can be used instead.

Thanks

Yes, I do and a proper pain it is. Been debated a number of times. Hope you find a better dipstick.

Mine isn't - it has no balls :-) but has two "twists" in it with the engraved flat area between the two twists being where the oil level should be.

Edited 11 January, 201115 yr by ednmra

Mine isn't - it has no balls :-) but has two "twists" in it with the engraved flat area between the two twists being where the oil level should be.

Ditto!

The 1.8TSi has plenty of balls where it counts though

Ditto!

The 1.8TSi has plenty of balls where it counts though

So it seems that it's probably the diesels that have them then?

My FL Vrs has a straight ended dipstick with a grey end.

Hope you find a better dipstick.

I know a couple of right dipsticks

My FL Vrs has a straight ended dipstick with a grey end.

Interesting. I've found a guy on a well known auction site that sells the flat ones & is checking to see if it is compatible with my engine, so we will see.

I have always had a problem reading dipsticks, specially those with backward facing baseball caps

I have found it a bit of a rubbish design; the dipstick in my old Toledo was much better as it had yellow plastic at the bottom of the stick to add reading it (very useful in dark conditions)

Edited 12 January, 201115 yr by Nathanio

Got a 52kW Fabia 1.2l petrol on loan. Thought i'd check the dipstick while peering under the bonnet.

Was the flat metal type ,but because the tube curves sharply , it was very difficult to re-insert.

So those plastic ball ends do appear to have a function in guiding the dipstick back in.

Does anyone know where I can get a spare dipstick?

There are plenty of people selling the tubes, but not the actual dipstick.

I was hoping to get a spare paint it white and only use it when I want to read my oil levels.

Because dipsticks have numerous uses...

I dont even know if the dipstick in my car is the right length to read levels correctly, its also the black one with 2 balls indicating min and max, not sure where exactly max is on the ball, before or after no idea

Does anyone know where I can get a spare dipstick?

There are plenty of people selling the tubes, but not the actual dipstick.

I was hoping to get a spare paint it white and only use it when I want to read my oil levels.

Only guessing, but paint could be a hazard if it flakes off and bits get lodged in oil galleries before it reaches the filter.

I'm not sure what the issue is.

I have a diesel vRS with a black plastic dipstick.

The plastic is matt black, the oil is shiny black, it's quite easy to see where the oil sits on the dipstick...

Been debated before. The oil gets spread around the dipstick and a clean level line is not obvious. Maybe the oil is being sucked up the tube when the dipstick is extracted? Have to check several times to convince myself sufficient oil is there- wiping several times.The contrast between the oil and the dipstick is not always clear cut.

Leave the engine to cool, once the oil has settled in the sump and thickened it shouldn't be spread over the dipstick.

I follow the advice in the manual, turn the engine off, leave it a few minutes then remove the dipstick, after the first wipe and re-insertion the level is pretty clear.

There are two different dipsticks used on the Octavia...

My TFSI has a flat one with a crosshatched area. Is also a PITA to read.

Agreed. The dipstick is only an indication that there is oil in the engine and it's hopeless at telling you how much. Silly design.

Does anyone know where I can get a spare dipstick?

There are plenty of people selling the tubes, but not the actual dipstick.

I was hoping to get a spare paint it white and only use it when I want to read my oil levels.

Let me know if you find out. Seems like a good idea. And no, the risk of paint flaking off and blocking the engine is miniscule, especially if only used for checking levels and not constant use. I'd suggest using a spray grey plastic primer on the tip.

Mine doesn't reach the oil anymore, need to get a longer one.

:rofl:

Never had a problem with the Octy vRS, but the Audi A4 I have now does not have a dipstick!! You have to rely on an electronic oil level, that sometimes likes to work. If you open the bonnet it resets itself and you have to drive about 60 miles before it will give you a reading. Useless 'eh?

Never had a problem with the Octy vRS, but the Audi A4 I have now does not have a dipstick!! You have to rely on an electronic oil level, that sometimes likes to work. If you open the bonnet it resets itself and you have to drive about 60 miles before it will give you a reading. Useless 'eh?

SWMBO's 1 series is exactly the same. I spent an age one day looking for a feckin dipstick.

I wish car manufacturers would just stop doing these things for the sake of it. It's just something else to go wrong. They're is nothing wrong with a bloody dipstick. IMHO same goes for electronic handbrakes and anything automatic that doesn't have a manual override. SWMBOs 1 series doesn't seem to have an intermittent wipe only auto/on/granny. And the sensitivity on the auto is pish.

rant rant rant rant

Edited 10 January, 201313 yr by Aspman

Nothing wrong with my stick, i can use it fine thanks.

I assumed by the title it was referring to this...

SWMBO's 1 series is exactly the same. I spent an age one day looking for a feckin dipstick.

I wish car manufacturers would just stop doing these things for the sake of it. It's just something else to go wrong. They're is nothing wrong with a bloody dipstick. IMHO same goes for electronic handbrakes and anything automatic that doesn't have a manual override. SWMBOs 1 series doesn't seem to have an intermittent wipe only auto/on/granny. And the sensitivity on the auto is pish.

rant rant rant rant

my dads passat has the electric handbreak and also a hill hold thing. Aparently they eat clutches like they are going out of fashion.....money spinner?

I have the ball type and its not obvious what the markings mean. I had to look it up to find out some dumbass had over filled it