Oil level on dipstick

[Rivis]

Sorry for the Newbie type questions, I've searched and haven't found the answer.

I looked at a 206cc yesterday and agreed to buy at a dealers, though no money has changed hands yet. I'm going to pick it up later today but just need to get a couple of things straight in my mind.

The car I'm looking at is: 2006/06 206cc Allure 1.6 HDi DAC+CC

I checked the oil and there was about a quarter of an inch showing at the bottom of the dipstick.

I couldn't see the max/min markers - maybe the dipstick is slightly different on this 1.6 HDi diesel, but it did appear to be low. I wiped it and checked a couple of times.

It's only when I got home and read the manual on-line that I realised there is an oil level indicator on the dash. At the time I thought that was the service indicator, I'm pretty sure it was showing all "oooooo" so maybe it is OK.

Obviously I'll double check when I go back but can anyone tell me if there should always be max/min markers on the dipstick and is 1/4 inch too low?

My other question is the front disc pads, I forgot to look so today I wonder is it easy to check the disc/pad wear without removing the wheels?

Thanks in advance.

John

[GrandadMonkey]

The 206 Haynes manual does not cover the 1.6 HDi engine but the 207 manual does and that shows Max/Min marks on the VTi engine dipstick and says the other engines are similar.

The outer pads can be checked by looking through the holes in the alloy wheels. The inner pads are viewed through the aperture in the caliper body with the front wheels removed. Both inner and outer pads can be then be seen. Minimum brake pad friction material thickness is 2.0mm.

[Rivis]

Thanks for the quick reply Ron.

Sorry if my question seems a bit basic about the dipstick, it was getting dark around 4:30pm yesterday afternoon and I was using an LED torch to look at the engine bay. I'll have a proper look at the dipstick this afternoon. Also thanks for the info about the pads.

Hopefully I'll come away with the car, then I'll post up photos after I've broken the news to Mrs Rivis that I've got a convertible. All she knows so far is it's a 206

[gazza82]

1/4" sounds low ... I assume you tested it cold. Should be an upper and lower mark on the stick ... but I did have an Alfa once that ate the ends! Three dipsticks in two years!!! Make sure it hasn't been snapped off by some ham-fisted monkey in the past.

Personally I'd do an oil and filter change myself to make sure (a) it's the right oil (b) it's the right quantity and (c) that it's been done!

And you can start getting familiar with the bits rarely seen by most ...

[Rivis]

Thanks for the reply gazza.

I did test it cold. I got the dealer to look too and we couldn't find the max/min marks so just to be safe he added a small amount of oil. I reckon it's a replacement generic dipstick as it doesn't look like the one described in the manual nor like the ones on ebay. Mine has a plastic 'blob' at the end and looking very carefully I can see a line which could be the Max marker. Anyway it's a good idea to do an oil & filter change. I reckon I need to have it all looked over so I've booked it in for a service at a independent garage nearby home, they will service 'as needed' and I'll get them to MoT it just so I know it's safe.

The outer pads were all new but the discs look pretty scored to my untrained eye, another reason for me to get it checked over.

Generally I'm happy with the car, being new to the CC I'm not sure whether it should be quite as noisy in the cabin, maybe I just need to get used to driving a diesel convertible, it's bound to be a little noiser than the norm.

[Rivis]

I bought a replacement dipstick from Peugeot, it only cost £7.61 and it has MAX/MIN markings as per the owners manual.

BUT it doesn't fit. See the photos, the new orange one is longer and seems to foul something when I try to push it in. I'm thinking my old shorter one is needed for my 1.6 diesel engine. Most strange, especially as
Peugeot say I've been given the right part number. At least I can now see I've got the correct oil level in the car. Obviously I'm not using the new longer one - it's going back for a refund.

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[Rivis]

Just to conclude this topic in case anyone else suffers with this same proble.

I took the dipstick back to peugeot who then told me my old one was broken and the max/min part is stuck in the tube. That's why I can't push the new one fully in, it's catching the broken bit. They said I could just push the broken bit through into the sump without any risk. Apparently this is a common problem with diesels and the newer design dipstick shouldn't break.

I'm not going to risk pushing the broken bit down into the sump, I'll live with it as is and keep the broken one in during use. Then use the new one just to check the level every now and then.

[gazza82]

If there is a bit stuck in the tube, your new dipstick isn't going to reach the oil properly ...

[Rivis]

Yes that's right Gazza, it's not ideal, but at least it does register on the new dipstick about an inch lower than it should be (if that makes sense). It's just had an oil change so I now know the proper level.