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ZUKIWORLD Model Specific Suzuki Forum => Suzuki Grand Vitara, Vitara, Chevy Tracker (Gen. 2 Platform) 1999-2005 => Topic started by: nehi1429 on August 15, 2015, 09:17:22 AM

Title: Dipstick keep popping out!
Post by: nehi1429 on August 15, 2015, 09:17:22 AM: I have a 2000 Chevrolet Tracker with 130,000 miles that I purchased a few days ago. Long story short I got it home and noticed some oil on ground. Lifted hood to find that the dipstick had popped out, it has now done this a few times. The original dipstick broke and they guy had replaced it a few days earlier, the broken pieces still in the back of the truck. Is it possible he just found a dipstick lying in his garage and popped it and it isnt correct one so that is why its popping out? Where can I order a new one? Thanks! - Neil
Title: Re: Dipstick keep popping out!
Post by: fordem on August 15, 2015, 10:06:20 AM: Have you tried comparing the two dipsticks - that should at least tell you if it's some random dipstick that he found lying around.

The original dipstick is a long, thin, flat, metal stick with a yellow plastic "ring pull" head - there should be a rubber O-ring on the head just below the flange that prevents it from being pushed too far down - that O-ring is all that holds the dipstick in place. They break very easily, either just above, or just below that flange, and they break because most folks don't pull them straight up - it either takes a tall person or a special effort.

If the rings are gone, you might have sufficient crankcase pressure to blow the stick free.

You'll have to get the new one from either a Suzuki or Chevy dealer.
Title: Re: Dipstick keep popping out!
Post by: nehi1429 on August 15, 2015, 10:26:24 AM: Yeah I just checked...the replacement is almost certainly the wrong one. Any good place online for OEM dipstick?
Title: Re: Dipstick keep popping out!
Post by: fordem on August 15, 2015, 12:50:09 PM: Just noticed something that might be important ...

My earlier answer was based on the assumption that your 2000 Chevrolet Tracker was a reference to a Tracker with a 2.0 litre J20 engine, I now realize it could just as easily have been a model year 2000 Tracker, which could also have had a 1.6 litre, G16 engine, or a 2.5 litre, H25 engine, for which the dipsticks will not be as I described.
Title: Re: Dipstick keep popping out!
Post by: nehi1429 on August 15, 2015, 01:38:41 PM: I went to the junkyard....they had 2 2000 Chevy Trackers...mine is the 4x4 2.0l btw....one didnt have a dipstick the other the yellow hook and rubber o-ring were broken off....I grabbed it just to be able to check the oil level. After some more browsing around I found a ( I want to say) 04ish Suzuki Grand Vitara....while it didnt match in length the yellow hook and o-ring seemed the same. So I bought them both and installed the one from the Grand Vitara in the parking lot. I drove all the way home without it coming out...seems to be a good snug fit....maybe I just found a temporary fix.
Title: Re: Dipstick keep popping out!
Post by: nprecon on August 15, 2015, 08:19:05 PM: The 2 liters generate a lot of internal pressure.
Title: Re: Dipstick keep popping out!
Post by: Rhinoman on August 30, 2015, 10:26:45 AM: I would check the PCV valve.
Title: Re: Dipstick keep popping out!
Post by: Ridjobradi on August 31, 2015, 08:45:00 PM: There are replacement dip sticks for the Aerio and SX4 available on eBay. I bought one for J18 and it was an identical match.