Repairing a broken Dipstick with a Dipstick
When I examined Tatjana, I noticed that the oil dipstick was very difficult to locate. That can happen when the handle is missing! The OEM dipstick has a circular handle composed of molded plastic. Hers had snapped off near the base of the dipstick so only the outer plastic (which prevents it from sinking into the metal tube down to the engine block) remained on the dipstick.I could replace it with a new one for about $15 or so from Roebuck or a similar Mazda parts vendor. Or I could repair it. I chose the cheaper route of course, all in the name of MSU preservation! Molded plastic circular handles that attach to dipsticks are not easy to find however. So I elected to try something different. All I needed was a small object that I could drill a little hole into the bottom. Add a bit of epoxy to the plastic end of the injured dipstick and voila, all better.
My first thought was a squishy toy that a dog uses. Don't ask...that is just what popped into my head. After actually thinking about it for a bit, I though of some character piece you could find in a toy store or Spencers. Enter: the Kenny keychain. $4.95+tax later, and I have my repair piece.
To finish the project, I borrowed my roommates drill and a packet of quick epoxy, drilled a hole just a bit narrower then the diameter of the dipstick tip (so it would fit snuggly initially), and lathered with the epoxy. After giving it a few hours to dry, I have a new, functional dipstick. My only word of warning: stay with something small. As you can see, my Kenny keychain figure just barely touches the valve cover. Anything bigger, and it would be an odd fit.
Update: This just in...
The turbo has killed Kenny (you bastard!). Yup, seams as if the heat in the area had melted whatever epoxy I used (see below). I noticed one day over the summer while checking this out that he was gone. Fear not: I am actively seeking a replacement Kenny: or other personality, to again bond with the remains of my dipstick. Note for those who do this: buy 2 of whatever you are using, just in case your first method does not take, you get a second shot.Updated Update: Guess who's back? Back again. Kenny's back.
Ebay is good for a few things. I was able to find a few of the southpark keychains and voila, I had another Kenny. I did not cut any corners with an epoxy this time: JB Weld. The stuff is magic I tell you. I slathered it on there good. To be even more anal, I took a small snip of heat cloth used to wrap cables and hoses for turbo cars, and put it on the bottom of Kenny (that silver stuff you see in the Kenny-less photo below. Its been 6+ months now and he shows no signs of heat related failure yet. :D
