Awright, gahdammit, I saw the other thread about dipstick extensions, and all you dirty-minded little pudknockers can just go home now 'cause I'm talking to the grownups.

Despite the bonding thing that results from reaching deep into something you're working on (dammit, I told you to go home! Now scat!) I don't like the contortions required to check the oil on the RX8.

So I changed it by extending the dipstick tube and getting a longer dipstick.

You'll make three purchases at NAPA, (or some other place).

1. Oil dipstick kit, Mr. Gasket #6920, for small block Ford, 1962 - 1978.
2. Oil dipstick kit, TransDapt #9231 for a 1982 -'85 Camaro or Firebird (or go to a junkyard and get one there)
3. High-temperature silicone seal goop.

The dipstick tube from the Ford kit will drop its lower end right into the existing tube on the Renesis and come to a stop on the ring on the tube (see the pic). But the outside diameter of the Ford tube is slightly smaller than the ID of the Mazda tube, maybe a few millimeters. It's a loose fit, but it is tight enough that you can coat the Ford tube, the male part of this new joint (. . . Okay, you guys: you've been warned! Go to bed!) with the silicone goop and slide it into the Mazda tube. Let it set overnight before you do anything else.

If you want some reinforcement at the joint, get piece of oil line hose about four inches long that's a tight slip fit over the end of the dipstick tube, 1/2" ID will do. Place it so that it's centered over the joint. Hold it in place with whatever strikes your fancy, goop or zip ties or hose clamps; whatever you can get down there.

But the Ford dipstick won't reach the oil, and that's why you're gonna buy the Chevy kit - the dipstick's longer, and it reaches. In fact, the marks on it for FULL and EMPTY are in just damn near the right places. Check 'em against your Mazda stick and you'll see. If you're not satisfied with where they are, scribe new ones.

The Ford tube comes with a support bracket. I didn't use it, but I may yet decide to. If you reinforce the joint with a piece of hose you sure shouldn't need it. I'll let you know.

The tube is chromed. If you don't like that, get the sumbitch sandblasted and powdercoated.

Pilgrim

 

Did this over the weekend... worked great...

I used the 2 kits above...

I did not use the silicone, instead I picked up a few inches of 3/8" rubber heat treated hose. I streched it out to fit over the original dipstick tube, then stretched the other side to fit the extension... after a few minutes when it returned to shape I could not pull them apart... if I ever decide to remove this I will need to cut it off.... no hose clamps needed....

the marks on the replacement dipstick are right on the money.... the only deviation from your post was I removed the bracket for the line that runs under the edge of the plastic engine cover.... I used the leftover hose and a small piece of metal to hard mount the tube extension.

great write up... part numbers are correct... I got them from pepboys are under 30 bucks... the hose was 45 cents from advanced auto....

thanks again for an excellent writeup....

 

you mean i wont need a flashlight to find my hole anymore?
OD

 

Thanks for taking the time to share. For me though it's Le Bren dipstick light, much less hassle But then again my engine doesn't drink engine oil anymore so I don't check it nearly as often as most should.

 

Hell.. I just feel around a bit until I find some hair.

 

i dont find checking oil annoying. Thx anyway

 

I do not find it annoying to check the oil... I find it annoying that they put the dipstick in a very inconvenient place...

 

what a great idea! I'll have to revisit this in the Spring.

 

for us Pettit guys this is a great idea!! I am doing it this w/e.
OD

 

Just saw 2011 rx8 at the dealer The dipstick tube is much longer and easly reached through a doorway in the engine cover. Will try to convert my 04 dipstick tube and dipstick. Mazda calls it a oil level guage.

remember it the little things:

 

+1 The Sohn adapter really helps with this issue. It solves more than one problem I guess!

 

Or you can do what i've done and just JB weld a steel rod onto the top of your dipstick so you can pull it out easier.