To many short trips?

**ryana89** · 02-09-2012, 02:32 PM

Just curious if anyone else has come upon this.
Did a filter/oil change today and looked closely at the dip stick,

It appears to be 'peppered' in rust stains?
Question is, would this be caused by to many short trips (5 minutes)?

Car doesn't use coolant and oil has never been milky in colour.

**RedMk2Gti** · 02-09-2012, 05:29 PM

Is that your oil dip stick ??? it looks like a ordinary ruler, very different from what's in my car.

can't answer if that'd cause the rust, but too many 5 minutes trip obviously not a healthy habit for any car.

**ryana89** · 03-09-2012, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by RedMk2Gti

Is that your oil dip stick ??? it looks like a ordinary ruler, very different from what's in my car.

can't answer if that'd cause the rust, but too many 5 minutes trip obviously not a healthy habit for any car.

Perhaps the later 2L dipsticks look different?

This is the other side,

**wai** · 03-09-2012, 05:54 PM

I take it you have a petrol engined car.

This being the case, there is positive crankcase ventilation which sees crankcase gases (from that hich gets past the rings and from thermal heating) sucked into the intake. This means that you can get air drawn in through the dipstick. If the air is humid, this will contain mousture and can cause the bare metal part of the dipstick to rust.

It is not a good idea to do too many short trips where the engine does not get up to temperature. You should avoid trips where the engine does not get up to normal working temperature. If it cannot be avoided, then keep them to a minimum. If you can, do not necessarily take the shortest route home, but give the engine a chance to warm up. That said, just season the whole dipstick by giving it a rub down with a little engine oil to stop it rusting.

**ryana89** · 04-09-2012, 08:11 PM

^You've confirmed what I was thinking, and as such, I've found a more 'suitable' daily... minus 2 wheels.
No more short trips for the MK2

**RedMk2Gti** · 05-09-2012, 08:26 AM

keep in mind storing your Mk2 kill it faster

**ryana89** · 05-09-2012, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by RedMk2Gti

keep in mind storing your Mk2 kill it faster

Will still use the MK2, just not as a 'get me to work and back' vehicle.

**wai** · 05-09-2012, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by ryana89

^You've confirmed what I was thinking, and as such, I've found a more 'suitable' daily... minus 2 wheels.
No more short trips for the MK2

Well, a 2 wheeled transport might seem better, but then after someone in a 4 wheeled transport decided they would turn across me on my 2 wheeled transport, I spent 6 months with my leg in traction and a further 6 months as an outpatient. That was in 1975 and I have had to put up with pain ever since (6-8 paracetamol a day). I have to hang on as long as possible to have both my hips and at least one knee replaced, as a result of the accident.

So while it might seem like a good idea, there is a downside.

A good stainless steel fabricator should be able to make you a replica dipstick that would not rust. After all, it is the rust that worries you

**ryana89** · 05-09-2012, 08:54 PM

Part of the reason of a bike purchase was to have the ability to out manouvre/brake other road users.
Perhaps it's just normal now, but the amount of near misses I've had in the MK2... can't keep asking an old car to do whats its done.

Either way, I accept how vulnerable my new form of daily transport is, will make sure to keep an eye on everyone (as I've learned in the MK2)

A stainless dipstick? Would be worth more than the engine haha