Nicehobbits Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 We have a 1990 Toyota with a 3.0 V6 .. After doing 3 drain & fills of the transmission fluid , I want to made sure the level is right on the mark .... My dipstick is showing lots of buckles & bends & measures 31inches from end to end . Can anyone tell me what your is .. & can you still buy a new one . Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanman Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Looks ok as far as I can tell from the pict. Any Toyota dealer or parts jobber will have this. I know this as I broke mine before learning "the way" to insert it. It was bent up from the previous owner so I'll blame them At the bottom there is a small tab bent almost 90 degrees to the length, there's also one on my motor oil dipstick. The tab should be pointing to the front of the motor on initial insertion. Then slowly work the rest of the well cleaned off dipstick into the tube by holding onto it just 4 inches or so above the tube, pushing it in a small bit at at time. Repeat process untill you are at the pleated top several inches then you will be able to get it in the rest of the way using the plastic handel on the end. I've been workin on many different mechanical beasts for over 55 years and I have NEVER seen such a stupidly designed item as this, with the possible exception of the entire stock cooling system of my 1971 Dodge van. BTW the price from the dealer was to the moon , espically considering what it is and that they sell a lot of these, for obvious reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicehobbits Posted October 5, 2013 Author Share Posted October 5, 2013 Thanks van man ... Mine is not real damaged in any way , but it seems they all have a twisty bendy piece at the top !! .. Why ! ... I also noticed the bent tip & I actually bent it back flat lol , I've since put the bend back on it . I'm just going over a bunch of things on her before she goes to get a inspection . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanAatTheCape Posted October 9, 2013 Share Posted October 9, 2013 the one in mine works fine - ONCE I FIGURED OUT not to try to poke it in - I use 2 hands, one feeding it in and the other guiding the back end. Mine rotates as it goes in - when I pull it out I pay attention to the orientation as it clears the tube -- if it is put in the same way & fed in it should work ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVdaytrader Posted October 20, 2013 Share Posted October 20, 2013 LOL...I curse up and down whatever fool designed that diptube and stick every time I check the tranny fluid!! Its almost impossible to get my hands in there to even get it out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefdave Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Opppppps i straightened mine out to get rid of bent tip and twist. goes in and out no probs now. lock dip stick with catch fitted to dip stick tube. Oil level should not be too far off using highest mark on dipstick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Oil level should not be too far off using highest mark on dipstick. Hope you're right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MontanaChinook Posted October 29, 2013 Share Posted October 29, 2013 Well, would you rather be with us manual transmission folks, laying on our backs with a socket wrench, sticking our finger in the hole to see what the fluid level is?? Because that's the alternative to that crazy dip stick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicehobbits Posted November 2, 2013 Author Share Posted November 2, 2013 Today was change number 3 .. Oil that was drained was more red than brown .. So it's getting better ey .. Plug out & drain into a empty milk tub ... Measure to exact amount with new into another old milk tub .. Refill . Takes about 10 mins . 2.75 quarts used for refill . Will do 1 or 2 more after time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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