Oil Dipstick Wasn't In Tight!!!
 

For god knows how long, I have been driving with the dipstick just hanging out of the receptical. Hard driving. Soft driving. Me driving.

:eek2:

The oil is now about a quart low. So it was there the whole time. But the oil pressure? Is that effected greatly by the dipstick housing? I would guess yes. Is it reassuring somewhat that the head of the stick was lodged in that real tight spot where it feels like it's going to break? Can I recall who was the last to check my oil? What is it with me and oil? Dunno.

What would you do a search under?

It depends on the engine design. I don't know about the mini, but it makes no difference on my GTP. I ran for months (oil change shop did not replace it, I didn't find out till much later) with no dipstick, didn't effect a thing.

Oil pressure is provided by the oil pump. The crankcase is not pressurized. No damge done by loose or missing dipstick. May have gotten some oil splash underhood, but even that is unlikely. Re-install the dipstick and don't worry about it.

thanks, peeps. :thumbsup:

I agree with the comments about no impact on oil pressure and generally no harm to the car. You might have slightly dirtier oil as a result. The ventilation air for the crankcase is usually provided by a hose that brings in air that has been through the air filter. You’ve probably been drawing some of your ventilation air down the dipstick tube.