Re: where's the DIPSTICK!!!

[Bruce Murray <bmurray@domain.elided>]

I think it is outrageous where ALFA put the dipstick on the 1991 164's.  It 
is virtually inaccessible but since my car does leak some gearbox oil from 
the front seal, it behoved me to figure out how to keep an eye on the level 
and top up as needed.

If you pull out the black plastic line (about 1/4" dia) that is near the 
throttle plate and which goes to the carbon canister, you can squeeze your 
hand down into the bowels of the engine and you will ultimately touch the 
dipstick.  It will be at the extreme of your reach and at your finger 
tips.  Pull it out and attach a tracer to it like a long tie wrap or two in 
series.  This will help the next time you are fumbling around there.
To top up I use a long piece of 1/4" plastic flexible tubing from a 
hardware store and siphon the oil in from a bottle placed the top of the 
engine compartment.

Getting the dipstick back in the hole is just as much fun.

Don't forget to re plug in the black plastic line otherwise after a while 
the check engine light will come on.

Bruce Murray
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