Melted Oil Dipstick Threads

[schnauzermom]

Has anyone experienced melted bottom threads on oil dip stick? Checked the oil this evening and when screwing dip stick back in it kept going in crooked and not screw all the way down. Upon closer look the bottom threads are all wavy together, almost like they softened or melted. Finally got it screwed back and seated but now worried if any plastic shavings got in oil! Anyone else have this experience?

 

[NancysToy]

More likely happend when it first got cross-threaded. It only takes once. The soft plastic is easy to damage with the steel threads. Once the thin threads on the dipstick are damaged, they get stretched and look wavy. If you take a file or X-Acto knife and lightly and carefully bevel the end to remove the damaged portions, you will have less trouble with cross-threading. Once they are crossed, they never like to start right...at least not easily. If you do bevel the end, make sure to remove all the burrs and loose plastic, lest they drop into the oil. I'm not a fan of plastic dipsticks!

 

[BajaRon]

More likely happend when it first got cross-threaded. It only takes once. The soft plastic is easy to damage with the steel threads. Once the thin threads on the dipstick are damaged, they get stretched and look wavy. If you take a file or X-Acto knife and lightly and carefully bevel the end to remove the damaged portions, you will have less trouble with cross-threading. Once they are crossed, they never like to start right...at least not easily. If you do bevel the end, make sure to remove all the burrs and loose plastic, lest they drop into the oil.

Good advise. I've got a small triangle file I use for this (not that I ever cross thread something but just in case someone else does).

You might even be able to put thread grooves back where they belong enough to get by.

Fine threads on a plastic dip stick are not a good combination.

 

[2 Cruysyn]

Has anyone experienced melted bottom threads on oil dip stick? Checked the oil this evening and when screwing dip stick back in it kept going in crooked and not screw all the way down. Upon closer look the bottom threads are all wavy together, almost like they softened or melted. Finally got it screwed back and seated but now worried if any plastic shavings got in oil! Anyone else have this experience?

Give your threads a break. From the Spyder Tech Blog:

You can check and adjust the engine oil level (fallowing correct procedures) without having to screw the dip stick in every time. Simply set the dip stick down against the threads (as with most Japanese bikes) and the full mark is now at the center of the first complete "X" below the standard full line.

 

[schnauzermom]

More likely happend when it first got cross-threaded. It only takes once. The soft plastic is easy to damage with the steel threads. Once the thin threads on the dipstick are damaged, they get stretched and look wavy. If you take a file or X-Acto knife and lightly and carefully bevel the end to remove the damaged portions, you will have less trouble with cross-threading. Once they are crossed, they never like to start right...at least not easily. If you do bevel the end, make sure to remove all the burrs and loose plastic, lest they drop into the oil. I'm not a fan of plastic dipsticks!

Sorry, have no idea what beveling is. Just concerned about any loose plastic getting into oil. I suppose we cud replace dp stick?

 

[Firefly]

Give your threads a break. From the Spyder Tech Blog:

You can check and adjust the engine oil level (fallowing correct procedures) without having to screw the dip stick in every time. Simply set the dip stick down against the threads (as with most Japanese bikes) and the full mark is now at the center of the first complete "X" below the standard full line.


View attachment 50901 View attachment 50900

Only problem with this is many of us like to keep our oil level about 1/8" from the bottom in order to help keep oil out of the airbox.....

 

[2 Cruysyn]

Only problem with this is many of us like to keep our oil level about 1/8" from the bottom in order to help keep oil out of the airbox.....

Adjust accordingly. I don't like to run mine at the full mark either for the same reason.

 

[coz]

new dipstick

i'll bet it's no more than a hundred dollars:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::joke::joke:

 

[Firefly]

Sorry, have no idea what beveling is. Just concerned about any loose plastic getting into oil. I suppose we cud replace dp stick?

519000155 *OIL CAP $9.31
709200285 GROMMET $4.64

 

[schnauzermom]

519000155 *OIL CAP $9.31
709200285 GROMMET $4.64

Thanks!! Hope it's something dealer carries.

 

[spyryder]

Sorry, have no idea what beveling is. Just concerned about any loose plastic getting into oil. I suppose we cud replace dp stick?

Don't worry about plastic pieces, there's a screen in the tank that will prevent any debris from getting to the engine. That screen is supposed to be removed and cleaned periodically anyway.

 

[Bob Denman]

I had to replace mine after the dealer cross-threaded it... :gaah: Once you leave the shop; it's impossbile to prove who did it, so it was easier than a fight with them...
It's pretty cheap insurance to replace it... :thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

Sounds like some enterprising person needs to come up with a metal replacement stick. If it had a temp readout that would be all the better! I know I'd buy one.

Oh my! Another project!? :yikes:

 

[Bob Denman]

Right after the RT swaybar project; right?? :thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

Oh my! Another project!? :yikes:

Make it longer, too.

 

[boborgera]

. If it had a temp readout that would be all the better! I know I'd buy one.

Na just another gage to stare at and to worry about, H/D makes them for their bikes, It reads the oil level and oil temps [LCD] with out removing the dipstick all for about 150$:dontknow:

The temperature is going to be what it is, There isn't much the average rider can do about it any way.
I had a oil temp readout on my GTi, Knowing the oil temp and 20 cents will get me a ride on the subway.

 

[schnauzermom]

Don't worry about plastic pieces, there's a screen in the tank that will prevent any debris from getting to the engine. That screen is supposed to be removed and cleaned periodically anyway.

Oh thanks! That was my main concern. As you can tell, we're technically challenged!:banghead:
I thought the dumb thing had melted!:sour:

 

[oldgoat]

Na just another gage to stare at and to worry about, H/D makes them for their bikes, It reads the oil level and oil temps [LCD] with out removing the dipstick all for about 150$:dontknow:

The temperature is going to be what it is, There isn't much the average rider can do about it any way.
I had a oil temp readout on my GTi, Knowing the oil temp and 20 cents will get me a ride on the subway.

You're right there. What you don't know, you don't worry about!!

 

[TuckMiddle]

Great

Oh my! Another project!? :yikes:

And let's get it done by Monday! I think one that is similar to the HD digital one, with no temp, would be great. Sooner or later, that plastic thing is gonna get cross threaded, or the O ring breaks and falls in the tank - just a matter of luck and time. LxT= $$. This could help make up for your oss of income with the longer oil change interval.Isn't it nice when folks come up with new challenges?? :yes:

Tuck

 

[schnauzermom]

Awesome Dealer

I have to give a shout out for my dealer, Clem's Enumclaw Powersports, in Enumclaw Washington. We were planning to go on a ride this Sunday arranged by the Dealership. When conversing with them about the problem with the dip stick.....they are going to replace mine with one off the floor so I don't have to wait for a new one to come in when I come in Sunday for the ride!! I realize a dip stick isn't as big a deal as, say a throttle body or etc., but they have been great at every level since our purchase in March.