Citroen Xsara Picasso (2000 - 2010) - The end of my dipstick has fallen off.......

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Sat 22 Dec 2007 18:54
The end of my dipstick has fallen off....... - pmh
I was aware of the this potential problem with 1.6 HDi s (2006) but would welcome any comment

Having suffered this indignity under warranty, my local main agent insisted that they have to have the vehicle to take the sump off to recover the bit. They also warned me that to drive it to them was at my own risk and that I should have it recovered on a trailer at my cost.

As I was short of time (going away the following day, but not with the car), I elected to accept the risk and drive it to them.

I have now got the car back with new dipstick of different design (orange top, nylon round cross section flexy piece, and an 'attached' calibrated section). The original one was all yellow but apparently constructed in one piece, and it it failed where the cross section change from square to round, at the start of the calibrated section.

My questions are;

Do they actually take the sump off - or just bill Citroen for the labour? Looking at the oil I dont belive it has been changed, or would they reuse the old oil?
Are the new designs any more reliable?
Is there any history for the end finding its way into the oil pump (unlikely?) blocking oilways, or lunching the crankshaft? Hence the not drive warning.

The only good thing about the whole affair was the initial telephone conversation with the female Service receptionist. She was aware of some Citroen owners having "the end fall off", but, "I have not had the personal experience of it"


Any comments?
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pmh (was peter)


Edited by Pugugly {P} on 22/12/2007 at 18:59

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Sat 22 Dec 2007 18:56
The End Of My Dipstick Has Fallen Off....... - Fullchat
Have you had a look at your sump and gasket. Should give a good indication as to whether its been off?
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Fullchat
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Sat 22 Dec 2007 19:03
The End Of My Dipstick Has Fallen Off....... - pmh
A good evidence based solution! I cant get it over the pit a the moment (probably for several months) and the engine under tray disguises it pretty effectively anyway for a ground level view. However the undertrays have a reputation for falling off once they have been off as nobody in the trade can fix them back properly. So if it falls off I may have the answer.

The only thing to actually break in 21 months - so far. Very un-citroen reputation like. Touch wood, cross legs, fingers, and anything else..........
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pmh (was peter)


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