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TexasRover

Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 794

2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White

No dipstick - what are they thinking!

Just had to rant about this.

I don't know about the newer defenders, but my wife's Disco 4 (3.0 TdV6) does not have a dipstick. The same was the case for the various LR4 and Range Rover V8s we have owner over the years. My BMW 318 does also not have a dipstick.

I just changed the oil on the Disco 4 and filled it up with ~7L and now I have to do the ritual oil level dance. Start, stop, wait, does it has to be warm? level ground? I DON'T KNOW anymore, the oil level is just 'not available'. What do you mean 'not available' how can it not be available? It used to be ALWAYS available.

WHATS WRONG WITH A FRIKN DIPSTICK!!

This is how the Td5 goes:

1) Check the oil level: anytime any day any place, always works. You can even check the oil quality, signs of water, you can smell it (more relevant on a petrol car).

2) Then you change the oil. You drain the oil (admittedly sucking out the oil is a practical improvement), fill the oil. run the engine. CHECK THE OIL!!... all good? done!

Where did the world go so wrong?

2nd May 2023 2:04pm

Ianh

Member Since: 17 Sep 2018
Location: Essex
Posts: 1757

Totally agree, It started with auto gearbox’s , they removed the dipstick on them, then they started on engines saying the engine oil had to be dipped just five mins after being stopped after it had reached temperature, now no dipstick’s at all .....it’s all to deter people from maintaining their own vehicles.

2nd May 2023 2:33pm

diesel_jim

Member Since: 13 Oct 2008
Location: hiding
Posts: 6036

Quote:
had to be dipped just five mins after being stopped after it had reached temperature,

That would work well on a military first parade vehicle check! or indeed anyone wanting to check their fluids before starting off.

2nd May 2023 2:40pm

Moo

Member Since: 01 Oct 2021
Location: Bath
Posts: 1030

New Defender has a dipstick.

Eiger Grey MY23 D250 SE with bits. Known as Noddy.

2nd May 2023 2:58pm

pjm-84

Member Since: 12 Apr 2021
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 642

I put the police spec dipstick in my Volvo and have not bothered to use it as I still use the electronic gauge now and then!

2nd May 2023 3:23pm

markb110

Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2520

Basically JLR sells cars to the first owner, then as new approved to those that want new but can’t quite stretch to new.

A ‘premium’ product sold to those without the wherewithal to even bother to lift the bonnet, or even know where the release switch is.

With that in mind, some bean counter was rewarded for saving the company money, which they then reinvested in a software engineer as it was cheaper to detune the D4 than bother to fix the snapping crankshaft problem.

So in a nut shell, lose the dipstick, save money on parts and remove the chances of the ‘owner’ getting an oil stain on the cream leather seats and get ready to sell them a newer vehicle in three years time.

I am guessing that oil dilution was part of the reason as to why JLR ensured that the dipstick remained long term as it was quicker to make a visual check.

2nd May 2023 5:13pm

markb110

Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2520

Moo wrote:
New Defender has a dipstick.

The way I have seen certain cars being driven recently it appears that Tesla have fitted one behind the steering wheel……

2nd May 2023 5:16pm

Retroanaconda

Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2547

Moo wrote:
New Defender has a dipstick.

Indeed. And the Grenadier does not!

(Well the diesel engine does, but the manual states it cannot be used for checking oil level)

2nd May 2023 8:51pm

Muddybigdog

Member Since: 11 Apr 2014
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 991

2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Zambezi Silver

Perhaps Gerry has all the dipsticks reporting to him?

Jumped ship to reliability - Mitsubishi L200
Puma 90 XS - Sold
D3 - 2.7 S x2 (both Sold)
Freelander 2 HSE - Sold
Freelander 1 - Sold
Disco 2 - Sold

2nd May 2023 9:43pm

RDR

Member Since: 27 Apr 2018
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 570

I hated not having a dipstick, was really pleased when i found my new RR has a dipstick

110 MY23.5 X Dynamic HSE
RR MY23 HSE PHEV
D5 MY19 HSE - Now Sold
D4 MY16 HSE Luxury - Now Sold
D4 MY12 HSE - Gone
D3 MY06 S - Gone but not forgotten

4th May 2023 10:49am

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