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Replacing engine oil dipstick?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Toyotally04, Sep 5, 2020.

  1. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    Hello y'all,

    What would I need to look for to replace a 2gen motor oil dipstick?

    Physical specs, brand, retail availability (i.e., where can I buy it?)

    Mine is varnished badly.

    Thanks,
    TTLLY04
     
    #1 Toyotally04, Sep 5, 2020
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can go to any toyota parts on line with the model year, or call a dealer. ebay might have good used or salvage yards.
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 5, 2020
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  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You don't need to buy a new one, just clean it with some acetone. Maybe you can try some gasoline or strong chemical. Use a little elbow grease and it should become cleaner (to an acceptable appearance).

    Don't spend too much time on it, because the real problem would be the entire engine looking like your dipstick, and you can't clean it
     
    #3 JC91006, Sep 5, 2020
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  4. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    If the dipstick is that varnished so is the motor.

    Steel wool can clean the DS right up.

    If motor that varnished it probably has clogged piston rings and eats oil bad. Keep an eye on the engine oil loss.
     
    #4 edthefox5, Sep 5, 2020
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  5. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Buy a piece of 1000 grit sandpaper?
    Use some nail polish remover and a rag to clean it?
    5 bucks for a dipstick from a salvage yard, but it's likely to be discolored also, since 99% are.
     
    #5 TMR-JWAP, Sep 5, 2020
  6. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    Can't wipe the stain off.

    Is it always called varnish and does it always indicate potential engine problems in any circumstances?
     

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    #6 Toyotally04, Sep 6, 2020
  7. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    The important part between the dimples looks clean enough, why are you stressing about it?
     
    #7 dolj, Sep 6, 2020
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  8. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Other than a brand new car, every vehicle I've owned has had tan/brown discoloration on the dipstick shaft. I don't think it's anything to worry about.
     
    #8 TMR-JWAP, Sep 6, 2020
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it used to be called varnish in woodworking class
     
    #9 bisco, Sep 6, 2020
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  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    If its baked onto the dipstick which is basically sitting in a moving pool of oil you can only imagine how bad the inside of the engine is.

    Its baked on shitty oil high quality synthetic oil does not bake on to the metal the higher the quality oil it is the less it bakes on.
    I wont bore you with acronyms.

    Lets call it BOSO.

    Your looking at a high mile OCI with really crappy dino oil. Toyota engines that already suffer from clogging rings will not enjoy that.
    Its not a stretch to imagine its a high oil using engine.

    But its dealer maintained so go figure. Its almost like they don't care.
     
    #10 edthefox5, Sep 6, 2020
  11. Richard2005

    Richard2005 Member

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    I used Autosol 'Metal Life Saver' ... removed the varnish easily and without damaging he surface in anyway. Looks brand new.
     
    #11 Richard2005, Sep 13, 2020
  12. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Grab a paper towel, splash on a little nail polish remover and have at it. Takes it right off....total cost about 10 cents
     
    #12 TMR-JWAP, Sep 13, 2020
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