Ummmm im worrried Red film on dipstick

[vitals_fading]

well..... exactly what the title says!!! i check the oil today only had to add a bit to get it to safe. but all the way up the dipstick there is like this film or grit
??? almost looks like rust is their anything i can do or should i be looking for a new ride soon?????

Matt

[1990LTD]

should grab a picture or three so we can see it, if possible

[marquisman]

what kinda driving do you do? many short trips or long trips? many short trips durring the winter months, will promote moisture to develop in the crank case(engine heats up and cools over and over). iv had this before. what happens is, the oil cap/PCV valve will fill with goo. also, moisture is cought in the dipstick tube, making the stick rust. worst case, you have an internal coolant leak. do you go through anti-freeze?

[vitals_fading]

yea i do but i think my rad leaks a bit!

http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/album.php?albumid=198

just lok in my album theres 3 good pics at the top

[marquisman]

looks like rust. other than that, trans fluid lol. but i doubt this. the one on my lincoln is so bad, i need to replace it. is ready to break by the handle. ironic, i know lol

[cld783]

buy a new dipstick

[GM_Guy]

Thats pretty common, moisture in the air, cold weather, not checking your oil often enough (ie: wiping down the stick with the oily rag).

Alex.

[1990LTD]

buy a new dipstick

You can't. Scott bought the last few NOS ones that existed, IIRC.

[vitals_fading]

what lol???? i gotta change my oil lol

[trwp72]

If it is just surface rust / gunk on the dipstick, do what I did. I had to buy a dipstick and tube from the junk yard. I used an SOS pad and cleaned it up with that... . looked like brand new when I got done with them. I used a gun barrel brush (Either .22 or .32 caliber, don't remember which) To clean out the inside of the dipstick tube... it was black when I started... A little "purple power", then brushed the inside until it was shiney like new. SOS pad and purple power on the outside, then painted it black to match the engine.

DON'T clean the inside of the dipstick tube while still in the engine! I know that sounds sort of "Duh, no kidding" but you never know....