Many people are having trouble reading the stock MINI dipstick. The problem is caused by oil being dragged into the dipstick tube by the lower bulge on the dipstick when the dipstick is pulled out. When the dipstick is reinserted, the oil gets wiped into the reading area. The following posts show modifications to the dipstick or methods that help prevent the oil from being dragged into the dipstick tube.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...461-post1.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...68-post17.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...42-post15.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...97-post17.html

 

Or buy a craven dipstick....problem solved...with added bling!!

 

BOOKMARKED!


This thread should be made a Sticky.

 

is this only on newer mini's? My 2007 dipstick is metal with little ***** on it. I agree that its not easy to read, but all the posts with pictures show a different version. I'm concerned now that I'm not reading it accurately.

 

I use the fourth method. Been doing that the past 9k miles and works like a charm. Super easy, no modification needed.

#4 gets my vote.

 

These posts were made for the the dipsticks shown but the early generation 2 dipsticks may have the same problem. The third and fourth methods will help get a better reading if oil is being pulled into the dipstick tube by the lowest ball.

Morris, 2011 MC, PW/B

 

Sadly the reason I have latched onto method 3 is that Mini tried to blame my Craven dipstick for a faulting fuel injector. To take it out of the equation for any further warranty work seemed prudent, particularly since method 3 is fast and reliable!

Not that I'm biased or anything!
E

 

I wasn't aware of method 3 until after I did BlackIces modification (method 2), but getting the reading area away from the top bulge helps with any of the dipsticks. Many dealers (including mine) overfill the oil. With the oil ovefilled, you can't get a good reading with any of these methods if the dipstick is pushed all the way in.

Morris, 2011 MC, PW/B

 

Wow. You have got to be kidding me. Fuel injectors and oil have got nothing to do with each other. That took chutzpah and a real belief that customers are idiots.

 

I'm with Bratling, how can you blame a dipstick for a fuel injector problem?

Morris, 2011 MC, PW/B

 

Seriously... That's absurd.

 

Sad but true...

Needless to say, since there was another dealership close by, I have since moved my warranty work over to them - I doubt they are thrilled with that, but warranties run out, so if they treat me well, MAYBE I will frequent their shop for the tough jobs.

That said, even the 'new' shop failed to connect my turbo inlet hose correctly last time I was in for a visit...

Not a good sign.
E

 

Ditto

 

Hi! Did you ever figure out how to make the metal one with the ***** read better??

 

Not really. It always shows full. Thinking of trying the one where you take it out and let sit for awhile to check.

 

I read my dipstick when the car is cold or at least 2 hours or so after parking. Pull it out, wipe it, shove it back in all the way quickly with my fingers on the metal part to guide it in/help it go down, pull it out and read. There has always been a dry part and a wet part to tell the oil level, hopefully I am getting an accurate reading.