Hello there, My girlfriend has a 2002 a4 3.0. She only had half of a dipstick so I ordered a new one from german auto parts. I tried to put the new one in but it only goes about halfways in. I think the old one must still be in the shaft. Does anyone know how I should go about getting that out? I tried sticking lots of things down there to grab it, but I think I may need to somehow remove the sleeve altogether. Any thoughts?

 

well, if you cant get it out you could just replace the dipstick funnel (sleeve) its a cheap part like under 15$ or something, but be careful cuz they are really brittle and tend to break. Be very careful not to let any plastic pieces fall into it if you break it.

 

try a magnetic telescoping arm and see if that helps.

 

I'm guessing this is a common problem? I just bought a 2003 A4 1.8t Quattro with 44K miles on it and had the same issue. Got a new dipstick and funnel for $31 at the dealership. That funnel will not come off in one piece. I tried pulling it off with pliers and it just crumbled. A few small plastic pieces definitely fell in. Called the service department and they said it's okay. The plastic pieces will just get crushed/melt and should drain on the next oil change. At least, that's what I was told...

 

I just got a 04 A4 w/ 54K and I have the same problem - the pieces have broken off as well - hopefully this wont break anything important. I am changing both the funnel and the stick tomorrow.

 

The car the OP has A4 B6 probably has the ASN V6 3.0 engine & it's got a full metal tube and a fibreglass rod dipstick....
it must wear as it goes past the bends in the tube.
" Audi....."
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I just bought one with the same problem, at least the sump cover is easy to get off.
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A couple of weeks later I undid the hex head screw with the metal band around the dipstick tube near the top.
Then the capscrew on the side of the engine, and the dipstick tube just pulled out from there.
I then found the end of the dipstick was still stuck inside the tube. Which is a relief.
So that got pushed out & I refitted the dipstick tube, it's quite curved but just remember how it came out & put it back in that way.

I found the bottom end of the tube sitting exactly over its mating hole & popped it in, refitted the 2 screws & ordered a new ( metal strip ) dipstick. I think it's pretty much the same one they use on most Audi's. It was like $10.

So it's a easy fix, best to order the dipstick first. Only takes less than a hour. & The broken bits probably still in the tube.