S-Class (W221) 2007-2013: S 320 CDI, S 350, S 450, S 500, S 550, S 420 CDI, S 600

dipstick pops out after a long drive

Old Apr 21, 2017 | 12:46 PM
  #1  
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dipstick pops out after a long drive

Does not happen while driving within city. Happens every time I make an outstation trip (3Hrs+). 2012 S350 (petrol) with 40K KM (not miles)

dipstick pops out after a long drive-dipstick.png

Dealer suggested O-Ring replacement, currently waiting for the part to arrive. I suspect the dealer is just guessing. Anyway to diagnose this better and avoid the trial and error drill?
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Old Apr 21, 2017 | 02:23 PM
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O- ring is certainly the first thing to do (or new dipstick altogether), but if problem persists check crankcase ventilation system for obstruction.
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Old Apr 21, 2017 | 05:40 PM
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My dipstick likes to recuperate after a long drive. When I was younger it recovered much quicker and sometimes it would pop back out and we'd go for a second or either third drive. Now it's a long time between drives.
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Old Apr 21, 2017 | 09:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike5215
My dipstick likes to recuperate after a long drive. When I was younger it recovered much quicker and sometimes it would pop back out and we'd go for a second or either third drive. Now it's a long time between drives.
If you lubricate the recepticle (high mileage receptacles tend to dry out) you might be able to prolong the life of the dipstick and improve pressure retention.
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Old Apr 21, 2017 | 09:22 PM
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I was hoping there might be a different receptacle I could try sticking it in. Maybe one that's near the original but with a tighter fit. Even one that may have been intended for a different purpose even.
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Old Apr 21, 2017 | 10:46 PM
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The other receptacle is vin- specific. Some cars allow service through it others don't. Inquire with user manual (based on vin) of specific unit to see if service is possible. Important - if service is possible clean receptacle throughly or service will be less than satisfactory

Last edited by alx; Apr 21, 2017 at 10:50 PM.
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Old Apr 21, 2017 | 10:51 PM
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Some dipsticks are long enough that some owners can stick them into their own intake.
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Old Apr 21, 2017 | 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted by kustom2k1
Some dipsticks are long enough that some owners can stick them into their own intake.
That would denote no vehicle availability. The owner is strongly advised to obtain a suitable vehicle. Obtaining said vehicle is beyond the scope of this discussion.
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Old Apr 22, 2017 | 10:39 AM
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Alternate dip stick receptacle is a no go! Insertion results in numerous warnings, alarms and error codes. It also prompts center display to state: IMPROPER SECONDARY INSERTION DETECTED: REMOVE DIPSTICK IMMEDIATELY AND CONSULT MANUAL. PRIMARY DIPSTICK RECEPTACLE NOW INOPERATIVE.
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Old Apr 22, 2017 | 11:37 AM
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I find that it's easier to insert the dipstick in the alternate receptacle when the vehicle is running on an alcohol blend of fuel. But mine tends to run rough and sluggish on that type of fuel. It also causes a brownish sludge near the intake.
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Old Apr 22, 2017 | 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by DaveW68
I find that it's easier to insert the dipstick in the alternate receptacle when the vehicle is running on an alcohol blend of fuel. But mine tends to run rough and sluggish on that type of fuel. It also causes a brownish sludge near the intake.
I think pure ethanol would be the only way to go. Also, insist on a full flush before proceeding.
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Old Apr 22, 2017 | 12:20 PM
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Originally Posted by motomerc
Does not happen while driving within city. Happens every time I make an outstation trip (3Hrs+). 2012 S350 (petrol) with 40K KM (not miles)

Attachment 353147

Dealer suggested O-Ring replacement, currently waiting for the part to arrive. I suspect the dealer is just guessing. Anyway to diagnose this better and avoid the trial and error drill?

After closer inspection it seems you've been sticking your dipstick into a tranies receptacle.

Last edited by kustom2k1; Apr 22, 2017 at 08:23 PM.
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Old Apr 22, 2017 | 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike5215
I think pure ethanol would be the only way to go. Also, insist on a full flush before proceeding.
I don't think there is actually anything "pure" about ethanol. It's like high fructose corn syrup for your ride. Sure, it'll give your ride a little little more energy for a short while, but it will run out of gas quicker and end up spitting and sputtering as the intake and injection system get all gummed up. Not the most high performance fuel you should be considering when you want to go for a long ride and explore new areas.
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Old Apr 22, 2017 | 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveW68
you should be considering when you want to go for a long ride and explore new areas.
In my humble experience exploring new areas usually results in rides becoming shorter than usual. Some of them very short. Sometimes if too persistent with the dipstick a safety feature will activate and will disable the hood latch altogether making any under the hood shenenigans impossible.
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Old Apr 22, 2017 | 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by alx
In my humble experience exploring new areas usually results in rides becoming shorter than usual. Some of them very short. Sometimes if too persistent with the dipstick a safety feature will activate and will disable the hood latch altogether making any under the hood shenenigans impossible.
I've only seen this happen once. It was many years ago when I saw a midget driving an El Camino. Definitely a unicorn type of experience which I will never forget.
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Old Apr 22, 2017 | 02:47 PM
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What has been imagined cannot be unimagined.
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Old Apr 22, 2017 | 08:06 PM
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The air intake is always an option if the dipstick isn't too long.
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Old Apr 22, 2017 | 11:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike5215
The air intake is always an option if the dipstick isn't too long.
That sounds like a better option if the dipstick is short and wide. I've heard of some mechanics refer to them as choad sticks. Must be some sort of techie term.
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Old Jul 3, 2017 | 10:22 AM
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New o-ring fixed it. Got lucky. Looks like this topic interested few folks
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