Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi all,

Since I brought my LWB second hand a few years back I have had problems re-inserting the ATF dipstick. The vehicle is normally maintained my Mitsu locally but his year I decided to do the oil change myself which went without a hitch.
Decided to check the auto ATF level and again I can't coerce the ATF dipstick the full length. It gets to the final bend (the 'pin' just short of full length is just outside the dipstick pipe by around 20mm) but it won't go any further (I can feel it bending).
Tried a very light 'smear' of engine oil (don't have any ATF so wiped off but still one can feel the lubricity) to no avail. Have tried 'reversing' the stick (it only goes in on 2 positions at 180° because of the first bend) also.
Is there a 'trick' to reinserting the ATF dipstick?
Mitsu have never mentioned a problem in their maintenance reports (and they should be checking ATF level).

I have previously (after many attempts) been able to coerce the dipstick back in but the problem arises if I decide to check the ATF at a garage 'on the road' and can't get it back.
The dipstick looks fairly straight, other than the 180° 'twirl' towards the end, with no obvious 'kinks' .
Trying to sort out the problem permanently.

Hopefully someone has also battled and has some suggestions?

Many thanks

Well I tried something new. Turned the dipstick clockwise while 'jiggling' the dipstick in the last bit.
It resists the 'turning' motion initially but eventually the dipstick 'gives (rotates) and slides home.
Took a few attempts but it worked (this time anyway).
Leaving the original comment 'as-is' just in case someone else has a similar problem.

Hi Tony

I recently had to remove my starter motor and to do so I had to remove both ATF and Oil dipstick tubes. I am assuming that your ATF dipstick guide is maybe not correctly seated and hence catching where it enters the gearbox.

Have a look at the attached drawings from the service manual and it may help you solve the problem. The guide tubes are easily removed but not that easy to get back in place unless you can see what you are doing. Make sure the O-rings are in place at the end of the dip stick guide tubes.

I hope this helps

Paul

Thinks Paul. The though of their being a 'lip' crossed my mind but it doesn't look like the pipe has been removed before - but it's an old Paj with over 260KKm on it.
I purchased the vehicle second hand so who knows what may have happened.
I did suspect the Pajero had a front end bash at some time, most probably more towards the passenger side, because I noted the horns had been bent on their brackets - so maybe that could have jarred the pipe.
Anyway I'll have a look and see but I suppose the engine oil would have to be drained first so perhaps the next time I do an oil change.

Thanks for your suggestion, Paul. I'll certainly look into it because its a royal pain to get the dipstick back in.

Cheers and have a great festive season.

Hi Tony

No need to drain oils to check the dipsticks as I removed them while doin my starter motor and did not drain any oils. Just be careful when fiddling near the starter motor as the positive from the battery can easily be shorted by accident, so best to disconnect the battery before you start fiddling down there. I really hope that you come right.

Thanks Paul. Will do when I get around to it.
Thanks for the advice!