TC Gearbox Dip Stick - a cautionary tale

[Nigel D]

I purchased TC 9896 EXU when it was imported back into the UK early 2013, and once home in my garage I gave it a thorough inspection. Upon checking the gearbox oil level, I was dismayed to find the dip stick only consisted of the upper MG logo'd section - the sprung dipstick itself was missing.

Immediate thoughts were hmmmmm where is it - and more importantly is it still in the gearbox? With thoughts of a gearbox strip down front of mind, I decided to first try to track down the last owner in the US which was successful. The PO told me that sure enough the sprung dipstick shaft had fallen off the dipstick upper section into the gearbox. but he'd managed to fish it out (I've no idea how!) & after a couple of flushes refilled the gearbox oil.

The PO then checked his workshop & managed to locate the missing sprung dipstick & kindly posted it to me so I could re-attach it to the upper section. You can imagine my suprise when I received it - as you'll see from the attached photo it clearly got in the way of a cog or two - I'll be doing another gearbox oil change very soon!

So fellow T series folks, moral to the tale is next time you check your gearbox oil thoroughly check the dipstick itself too!

Nigel

[dirk w dondorp]

Mine has some clear rubbing signs as well!
Could it be that through the spring movement the dipstick comes too close to the gears wenn the car is making a violant move?