So, my dipstick sleeve (?) cracked and broke off, and when inserted, the dipstick tip now hits the bottom of the oil pan. Therefore, the appropriate level of oil cannot be measured with the guide at the bottom of the dipstick unless I know how much distance separates the tip of the dipstick with bottom of the oil pan if the sleeve were intact. Does anyone have any sort of approximation of that distance, so I can add it to the level of oil which is currently read on my dipstick? Thanks...

 

Replace the plastic piece. PureMS and some other sites have it. But what year do you have? The dipsticks and plastic sleeves are different, I believe, and could be a different length.

 

Thanks for the reply, but do you have any idea as to how much lower the tip of the dipstick now sits? It is a 2000 A4 Quattro. I don't have the time now to order and replace the sleeve, as I am leaving for home for the holidays, and it will be a 800 mile 1-way trip.

I've read that the normal range between the high and low indications on the stick represents approximately 1 quart. Right now, there is enough oil to reach the top line, but I'm not sure if that is enough. An additional concern is that there is a slow leak due to the valve cover gasket. Thanks...