We all know by now that the dipstick on the NC is difficult to read.
Yesterday I received my new modified one.
Now if I’m reading this correctly, I’ve too much oil in it.
I take it the two holes are the minimum and maximim levels
Watching with interest - I ordered a replacement from MX5parts at the National rally last weekend, still waiting for it to arrive.
I posted elsewhere about this ( in the mx5 discount thread ) having checked the lengths yesterday before installing, my reading was slightly high too, if the top hole is the upper limit which I guess it is. Always maintained the level as best I could in the old dipstick and gave no adverse effects as far as I can tell. I’m also interested in the outcome ( if there is one)
Barrie
EDIT;
https://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/yaf_postst109365p2_MX5-Parts-Discount.aspx?=
Post#28
That would seem very strange, particularly as the general advice is that a little too much oil in the MK3 engine is not a bad idea.
Logically the new version should under-read if anything to be useful.
I only do a few thousand miles per year in mine, so was really surprised to find the level low about a month back.
I put half a litre in.
Yesterday of course revealed how truly difficult the old dipstick is to read.
Received mine yesterday but I haven’t got round to fitting it yet.
I will be measuring it side by side with the original to compare any differences.
If there is a discrepancy i will be drilling a new hole in it.
Last thing any of us need is a clapped out engine due to low oil.
The new design is a flat steel blade with two holes, where the old one is a cast round blob.
There’s no mistaking the presence of oil on the new type.
I’m going to compare the holes in relation to the max/min marks on the old one.
I don’t see an issue with the ’old’ style dipstic, I can confidently read the oil level. Am I missing something here?
same here I never had any issue either reading the oil level either.
Am i missing something ? whats hard to read on tne NC dip stick?
I’ve never had any trouble reading the dipstick on my 2008 NC - just rotate it until the light hits it in the right direction - and hey presto ! Old mechanic’s trick.
Or when checking level place against ( don’t wipe ) a piece of tissue, let the oil transfer to tissue, move dipstick to side slightly and check oil that has transfered to tissue with Max and min marks on stick
There was obviously something wrong with it for Mazda to modify it.
I’ve no idea when it was modified, maybe being a 2005 NC, mine is a different dip stick to others.
I can however, concur, with clean oil, on the one I had, it was difficult to read, it might take a few dips and wipes to be confident.
A few of you have already mentioned, twisting it, holding it up to the light or holding it against tissue, well with this new one, there’s none of that.
I have no experience of the MK3 but clearly from the number of threads on the subject there is a problem with reading the original style dished dipstick for a lotta lotta owners.
Aside from physically reading the oil level, there have been too many engines that have expired because oil not kept at the top of the range as seems to be a critical requirement. It appears that the engine(particularly 1.8) is particularly prone to terminal damage where the oil level is allowed to drop.
Given this most sensible people check their oil regularly and make sure the method of checking works. If that means buying a new, better designed Mazda dipstick, that is easier to read for a bit over a tenner, fair play.
If you are clever enough to successfully use the old style dipstick without issue, congratulations, that’s a bit over a tenner saved. Get it wrong though and it could cost you at least £2K.
Any pics of this revised dipstick? just curios to see the differenc.
So here’s the two side by side:
Lower is OE ‘cable’ dipstick, upper is Mazda replacement piece. I’ve just tried them both in the dwindling twilight. Original one needs twisting and angling to the light, and squinting - or laying on absorbent paper and checking the stain. Neither method inspiring great confidence, so I dipped a second time to be sure.
Replacement dipstick shows level clearly and unambiguously, first time.
I know which one I’ll be using. For anyone else interested, it’s Mazda part no. LFE210450D.
Steve
Yes mine arrived yesterday having been on back order with MX5 parts and on swapping the dipsticks with the engine warm at first there seemed only a slight improvement in reading it. But just now having read this topic I went to the car (2007 Icon 2 litre) in the garage where it has been all day and the difference in being able to read the new one as against the old was immediately apparent. Much clearer than the original dished one, the oil had had time to drain down into the sump and give a true reading. I was surprised when I first got the NC as to how difficult I was finding it to read the dipstick and I have been reading them since 1963. Oh and my eyesight is fine! So I am contented with my purchase.
As regards the oil level mine just covered the top hole.
Thats quite a difference, although I have had no problem reading the original design for the sake of a few pounds think I will get the new ones for piece of mind.
thanks for sharing.