[DonB]

The handle on my oil dipstick recently broke off when I was removing it. I found a replacement online and the compatibility information indicates it fits my '98 Intrepid ES with 3.2 so I ordered it. The replacement dipstick is part number 4663862AE while the dipstick in my car is part number 4663862AB.

It is a perfect match except for one small but significant error. The Max level on the 4663862AE almost perfectly corresponds with the Min level on my 4663862AB. See attached picture.

I know my 4663862AB dipstick is correct for the car and the engine. I've been changing the oil in this car for 14 years and the correct amount of oil put in the engine corresponds with the oil level indicated on the dipstick.

The odd thing is the Dodge information for my VIN says the correct part is 4663862AE and there is no record of part number changes in the dealer system. The customer service department at Dodge itself has no idea what this is all about.

The only confirmation I can find to the existence of a 4663862AB dipstick comes from here:
http://www.moparpartsstore.com/dodg...up=cylinder-block-components&part_name=engine-oil-dipstick?search_str=4663862Ab

This page says the 4663862AB is the proper one for my car but indicates it's a discontinued part.

Anyone know what's going on with this? Could it be because my car was built in Canada? I'm baffled.

 

[Daytrepper]

It looks like they sold you a "new style" dipstick; you will likely have to replace the dipstick tube as well, as the newer style is longer, hence the difference in your level marks.

You'd need the new tube....4663863AD, which goes with the AE dipstick.

From what I can tell the original AB dipstick is discontinued...so you'll have no choice but to change the tube as well...unless you can find an actual AB dipstick.

 

[DonB]

Both of these dipsticks are the exact same length from o-ring to tip so I don't think that could be a factor. The dipsticks are absolutely identical except for the location of the oil level markings.

Edit: To clarify further, both dipsticks are the exact same length from the upper surface of the handle to the tip of the stick.

 

[Daytrepper]

Both of these dipsticks are the exact same length from o-ring to tip so I don't think that could be a factor. The dipsticks are absolutely identical except for the location of the oil level markings.

Edit: To clarify further, both dipsticks are the exact same length from the upper surface of the handle to the tip of the stick.

If the newer dipstick tube is longer, the oil level would be lower on the dipstick....hence the different marks. The length of the dipstick wouldnt really matter if the tube is longer. The dipsticks could be identical measurement wise, but if the tubes are different lengths, the oil level will land in a different spot.

If the AB stick is NLA, then you have no choice but to change the tube, unless you want to grab one from the yard.

That is the only thing I can think of, unless they gave you a mis-labeled dipstick. Just checked my 98 and it has the AE, matches the one in your picture at the bottom....I replaced it 9~ ish years ago, I dont remember any differences in the hash marks, but alot can happen in 9 years, good possibility the tubes and stick were re-designed....for example they may have axed the 04 and older dipsticks, and you have a 05+ for an LX, hence the tube and dipstick change needed. Not sure if this is the case, but I wouldnt be surprised if it was.

Part numbers say they are different tubes between AB and AE though.

 

[Ronbo]

The markings are at a different level on the "new" dipstick and would need the "new" dipstick tube which is obviously a different length than your original. With both new parts your markings would give the correct level reading.

Order the new dipstick tube just like Dan indicated above.

 

[DonB]

Okay, I understand now. Not a very elegant solution but such is life.

It's funny that Dodge is so completely clueless about this situation but that's why I asked about it here.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Daytrepper]

No problem. Got to have the right parts guy. I dont suspect LH cars are in the dealership everyday anymore either, hence the cluelessness, lol.

One of our manufacturers at work has redesigned their dipsticks as well, (Cummins), they did it and didnt say a word, no bulletin, nothing, if you just order the dipstick, it will be 6 inches too long, they dont tell you the tube has to be replaced as well.

 

[sc.intrepid]

Umm, why not scribe the correct marks on the blank side of the new dipstick yourself and just roll with it ???
Since you are the 14 year oil change guy, that shouldn't be a problem right.
Or, you could punch out the roll pin retaining the new handle to the new stick and transplant it to your old stick?

You aren't that much of a stickler to have things be factory perfect on a 16 year old car are you?

 

[DonB]

If the newer dipstick tube is longer, the oil level would be lower on the dipstick....hence the different marks. The length of the dipstick wouldnt really matter if the tube is longer. The dipsticks could be identical measurement wise, but if the tubes are different lengths, the oil level will land in a different spot.

If the AB stick is NLA, then you have no choice but to change the tube, unless you want to grab one from the yard.

That is the only thing I can think of, unless they gave you a mis-labeled dipstick. Just checked my 98 and it has the AE, matches the one in your picture at the bottom....I replaced it 9~ ish years ago, I dont remember any differences in the hash marks, but alot can happen in 9 years, good possibility the tubes and stick were re-designed....for example they may have axed the 04 and older dipsticks, and you have a 05+ for an LX, hence the tube and dipstick change needed. Not sure if this is the case, but I wouldnt be surprised if it was.

Part numbers say they are different tubes between AB and AE though.

Well, this gets even more interesting. Your information seems to indicate they sent me a mis-marked AE stick. The bottom stick in my picture is my original AB stick.

Also notice the range between Min and Max on my new AE stick is considerably smaller than the AB stick. A longer tube tube wouldn't provide compensation for this additional discrepancy, would it?

I do plan to take these sticks to the dealership next time I go to Pensacola to verify my new AE stick is properly marked.

 

[Daytrepper]

Well, this gets even more interesting. Your information seems to indicate they sent me a mis-marked AE stick. The bottom stick in my picture is my original AB stick.

Also notice the range between Min and Max on my new AE stick is considerably smaller than the AB stick. A longer tube tube wouldn't provide compensation for this additional discrepancy, would it?

I do plan to take these sticks to the dealership next time I go to Pensacola to verify my new AE stick is properly marked.

The longer tube would account for the discrepancy in the marks; but yeah, you would think the length from min to max would be the same. They could have also adjusted it...ex, on the old stick, min to max might be a quart, on the new stick, might be 1/2 a quart...however, with the new tube, it would all match up...except at min, you'd be a 1/2 quart low, instead of a full quart. Just a theory. Like I mentioned, they may have re-designed the stick again for LX cars, and thats what you may have. My information on my replacement AE is 9 years old.

Its definitely worth checking into and showing them the differences; could be wrong stick all together.

 

[DonB]

Umm, why not scribe the correct marks on the blank side of the new dipstick yourself and just roll with it ???
Since you are the 14 year oil change guy, that shouldn't be a problem right.
Or, you could punch out the roll pin retaining the new handle to the new stick and transplant it to your old stick?

You aren't that much of a stickler to have things be factory perfect on a 16 year old car are you?

These are both things I have considered. Transplanting the new handle on my old stick is probably the best solution. Making new marks on the reverse side is the simplest fix.

At this point I'm just trying to figure this thing out. It's really goofy.

 

[DonB]

Its definitely worth checking into and showing them the differences; could be wrong stick all together.

Thanks. I'll update you after I go to town.

The AE dipstick does have a secondary number of 63075 following the stamping of 4663862AE. Maybe this will give the parts man an additional clue when he looks at it.

 

[peva]

The longer tube would account for the discrepancy in the marks; but yeah, you would think the length from min to max would be the same. They could have also adjusted it......

While we're speculating...

The oil pan on the LX is a different part, right? Let's say it was taller in height and fatter (wider), and/or floor length was different. That would explain the smaller difference from Add to Full - it would take the same amount of oil to cover that distance. The difference in tubes may or may not be for other reasons. There may be a combination of things that moved the height of the marks up and put the Add and Full closer to each other. It still may not come out right if you replace the tube and stick - you may have to change to the LX oil pan too. Where does it end!! I think they want you to buy a whole new car.

www.wholesalemopar.com does not show a superceding part number for 4663862AB - they just say "...not found". Perhaps someone in their system knows of the mismatch problem and their solution is just to show it as not available anymore rather than give incomplete information that could cause damage.

I agree that the safe and more 'elegant' solution is to switch the sticks with the handles.

 

[DonB]

I reported the careless and potentially damaging situation to Dodge who is researching it. The Dodge dealer parts system is showing the 4663862AE as the replacement for my VIN and other 3.2 engines dating back to 1998. According to two dealerships I spoke to (including Lambert who is supposed to be the specialist in older cars) the Dodge parts system does not show the 4663862AB ever existed as a valid part number. There is no revision information in the system.

It appears someone could run a car with this new dipstick installed and their engine would be 2 quarts low before it even drops to the Min mark.This is an error that would tend to sell more cars but not necessarily to the benefit of Dodge.

 

[300maximilien]

I have several used dipsticks from 2002 Specials if that would work for you

 

[BiliTheAxe]

If you really want to use that stick, do an oil change now. Then put in 4 quarts of oil, and mark the stick with a file at the 4 quart mark.
Then add the 5th quart and mark the stick where the level is at. Now you will be able to see both the full mark and the one quart low mark.

 

[peva]

Sounds like someone at Chrysler needs to have their oil level checked - with either dipstick. LOL!

This will blow your mind: If you look in the parts pdf's on this site (http://www.dodgeintrepid.net/showthread.php?t=161125), the '98 pdf shows the 4663862AE for the 3.2, and the 4663862AB for the 3.5. Then only the 4663862AE for both engines in '99 and up pdf's (of course 3.2 was discontinued after '01).

I believe the pdf's get updated, and the ones we see were purged of the older part numbers - except someone screwed up and failed to remove the 4663862AB from the 3.5 in the '98 pdf. But there's your smoking gun that it *did* exist in the parts system at some point in the past.

 

[peva]

I have several used dipsticks from 2002 Specials if that would work for you

Might be interesting to know the P/N's marked on those, Craig.

Wouldn't it be something to find out that they switched to the dipstick with the lower marks in the middle of production on the LH's? That might explain some surprising engine failures on the '02 and up - mainly Specials IIRC? Might make for a topic of discussion on the 300M Club, eh?

 

[Firem]

I'm thinking most on the forums that do their own oil changes would notice somethings up when they changed their oil. After adding the correct ammount of oil and the stick not being correct would be noticed by most.
HD truck replacement dipsticks usually are blank and are calibrated on engine. Fill to the "low" level, mark stick, add to "full" level, make the high mark. Pan P/N determines capacity, like 7.5 g low, 9g high.

 

[peva]

I'm thinking most on the forums that do their own oil changes would notice somethings up when they changed their oil. After adding the correct ammount of oil and the stick not being correct would be noticed by most...

Probably right, Bob. I was trying to remember if there'd ever been a collective realization that, in general, starting in, say, 2002, it takes less oil to "fill" it.