Broken trans dipstick on R21 Yanmar

[bymiller]

During my last engine and transmission oil change the transmission dipstick broke. The top and metal stick stayed together but the threaded portion broke right at the top and stayed in the transmission's fill hole. The top and dipstick came right out through the hole in the center of the threads. The threaded portion was then easy to remove because of the hole in it.

I have always hand tightened and loosened the cap. This time while screwing it back in suddenly it became very easy to turn.

If this were to happen while on a trip it could be a possible show-stopper. Not sure how much pressure there is within the transmission while running. Haven't tried running without the plug to see how much, if any, oil leaks. Could possibly just put a rag in to keep dirt out. Hate to try and find out it makes a real mess. Has anyone ever tried this?

My "local" dealer (Wefings) had to order one. Their supplier does not drop-ship so they have to get it and then reship it to me. Time consuming.

Has anyone else ever had one fail? At $40+ should this be a necessary spare part?

By Miller
Daycare

 

[dalee62]

Yup, bin dare dun dat. It was the very first thing I had to replace. $40 is a screaming deal. It will cost you $70 in my part of the world. I find it is very easy to cross thread. The plastic is to soft in my opinion. As soon as I feel the O ring make contact I stop.

Dave

 

[Two killicks]

Tonight, as I was looking at the oil level, mine broke too! And Just like you, it broke flush to the top of the tread. I hope that I will be able to get a replacement dipstick soon! I saw online that a guy makes them out of aluminum for 85$ US, might be tempted to get one.

 

[Two killicks]

I had to replace mine this morning and remove the broken treaded part of the old dipstick stuck in the gear box. I used a easy out screw extractor and it was an easy process that did not do any mess in the gearbox (parts of plastic falling) I recommend that you get an easy out extractor in your onboard toolbox just in case that this problem happen to you one day... The cost of the dipstick was 49$ and there is no seal that come with it, that is a good thing that I kept the old one.

 

[GA-Midnight Cruise]

Funny you asked about this. Mine broke last summer just as you mention. I was in St Pete the following week and had gotten a price for the part at Mastery. They had several in stock. They say its a common failure. The day I went to pick it up at the parts counter, they were out of stock. The Yanmar Distribution Center is located in Adairsville, GA. The maddening thing is this is 45 mins from my home and the Dist Center does not permit Will Call pick ups. My parts are sent in Mastery's daily shipment to St Pete where I bring them back to GA or have them shipped via parcel from St Pete. To answer your other question, the sail drive has minimal pressure. You can craft a temporary fix with a number of materials with your pocket knife until your replacement dipstick arrives.