Transmission Fluid Dip Stick?

[kris-nilsson]

I recently bought one of those expensive transmission dip sticks from Europarts for my 2003 mb-cruiser. However, it is useless until I know the proper distance of dip stick placement between the bottom of handle to the top of filler tube. Anyone that can help would be greatly appreciated. Also, I recently changed the oil 4 weeks ago with Chevron Delo and after 600 miles, the oil looks extremely dark. This is my first diesel so I don't know if this normal?

[rlent]

I recently bought one of those expensive transmission dip sticks from Europarts for my 2003 mb-cruiser. However, it is useless until I know the proper distance of dip stick placement between the bottom of handle to the top of filler tube. Anyone that can help would be greatly appreciated.
The approximate distance is around 2 inches or so ..... the dipstick tip will bottom out inside the transmission, against the valvebody I believe - the measurement is from the bottom (tip) of the stick up. Just insert it and when you get to the last 4 or 5 inches go slow and feel for when the tip hits an obstruction and bottoms out inside the transmission.

Also, I recently changed the oil 4 weeks ago with Chevron Delo and after 600 miles, the oil looks extremely dark. This is my first diesel so I don't know if this normal?
It is entirely normal for a diesel to turn the oil black with soot - particularly a late-model EGR diesel.

[talkinghorse43]

I recently bought one of those expensive transmission dip sticks from Europarts for my 2003 mb-cruiser. However, it is useless until I know the proper distance of dip stick placement between the bottom of handle to the top of filler tube. Anyone that can help would be greatly appreciated. Also, I recently changed the oil 4 weeks ago with Chevron Delo and after 600 miles, the oil looks extremely dark. This is my first diesel so I don't know if this normal?

Your '03 is going to be the same as my '02 (both have OM612 engines), regarding the dipstick tube length anyway. I bought a dipstick from Europarts a couple years ago, and if they're still the same length, the red handle almost touches the top of the dipstick tube (~1/4" gap) when it's properly inserted. Really, though, the tip of the dipstick touches the bottom of the pan when inserted to the proper depth, so just push it in until it stops, but don't be heavy-handed about it.

The dark color early is normal for the OM612 running on US diesel fuel w/o cetane boost additive.

[PeteInLongBeach]

Your '03 is going to be the same as my '02 (both have OM612 engines), regarding the dipstick tube length anyway. I bought a dipstick from Europarts a couple years ago, and if they're still the same length, the red handle almost touches the top of the dipstick tube (~1/4" gap) when it's properly inserted. Really, though, the tip of the dipstick touches the bottom of the pan when inserted to the proper depth, so just push it in until it stops, but don't be heavy-handed about it.

The Europarts instruction says there should be about 3" of dipstick above the dipstick tube. Whether or not this includes the red handle I do not know. When mine seems to bottom out, there is about 3" of the flex cable above the tube, not including the handle. I hope this is correct....

[tegimr]

rlent is correct - the dipstick measures from a set point at the bottom - it's extension from the top is not relevant to the correct fluid level.

Tim

[jdcaples]

I measured the distance between the bottom of the housing and the bottom of transmission pan. Then I dropped the pan so I could see the tip of the stick.

Then I yanked the stick down until it protruded from the transmission housing about as far as the bottom of the pan. Friction held it in place. Then I marked the top of the dipstick with a sharpie pen, about 3 inches from the handle.

I called that close enough.

-Jon