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Think I already know the answer to this one but just hoping I'm wrong and it's all fine.. Just checking the oil level in my 1.6 petrol 1998 Audi A4 as tomorrow I've got a long drive and the plastic where the dipstick has snapped off, not in my hand it was like it when I pulled it out. I reckon it's been like that for a while as last time i checked i noticed it didn't sit in there nice and tight, but was in a hurry and left it.
Now my worry is that there where small bits of plastic on the edge of the entrance, if any of them have fallen into the sump that can't be good.
Don't know whether the oil gets hot enough in there to melt the plastic and have it end up clogging oil pump etc.
Would you risk it or stay at home?
I'd risk it, but I'm not always sensible or well-informed so I wouldn't listen to me. However, FWIW I don't think the oil in the sump's hot enough to melt the kind of plastic they'd use there, and there will probably be a strainer to stop the pump picking up biggish bits.
I can't help but think that the very fact you can pull it out, and therefore expose the hole to bits of crap falling in, means that there would some kind of mechanism to stop said bits of crap getting anywhere important. If you see what I mean! 🙂
Yes stupid me, there'll be some kind of filter. and once i get back i'll change the part and maybe do an oil change just to be sure
I think there is a coarse filter where the oil gets sucked up, but I am sure that the main oil filter is before all the sensitive bits of the engine so that any crud or swarf in the sump doesn't cause damage. I'm also sure that plastic used in engines doesn't melt at hot oil temperature otherwise it would have melted already...
cheers guys, was getting all panicky!
given that it sits in the oil all the time i would have thought that it would have melted already.
don't worry about it. it'll be fine.*
*i am not a car mechanic.
only thing to be aware of is that the oil 'sloshes about' (technical term) in the sump and helps lubricate the crank and associated bearing surfaces so it's possible any foreign bodies may get into parts of the engine they shouldn't. Being plastic it'll probably be ok but there is some risk if there is plastic inside the sump.
just drainign the oil may not remove it all so I'd get the sump dropped and the oil filter inspected too.
I wouldn't worry about it at all, there is a gauze filter on the bottom of the oil pump inlet which will stop any big bits getting in. The sump will also be baffled so chances are it'll just float around in the bottom.
If it was mine I'd just be getting a new dipstick from Audi or your local motor factors place or scrap yard so you can keep checking the oil is at the correct level.
You may be lucky and it;ll come out of the drain plug at oil change or you'll be able to see it through the sump plug when you change the oil but nothing to worry about in my opinion.
Its a bit of plastic ffs .
Id be more worried about the metal filings you find in a typical oil change than a bit of plastic.
I certainly wouldnt be going and getting my sump dropped unless it was some sort of classic or performance motor . Its a blandsmobile , itd probably run if you pumped it full of strawberry jello
I'm guessing this is the infamous orange tube, that the dipstick gets stuck in and then breaks off in your hand. There is a strainer over the front of the oil pump pickup, and no it won't get hot enough to melt then gum up the engine.
They are not expensive from Audi, don't bother with one from a breakers for the few quid you save it won't be far behind in breaking, seen a fair few that have snapped lately.