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  View original topic: Red dipstick
ratwell Wed Dec 03, 2003 11:36 pm

Why do the engine builders paint the dipstick red? Somone told me the original was red but I can't remember and I've never seen a single one with a fleck of red on it. AVP is one example of a rebuilder who paints them. What got me interested is that I found a NOS dipstick at a dealer and it wasn't red.

Anyone know? The closest I'm come to seeing an original engine was in a photo from the VW musem. The cut-a-way engine had a silver dipstick but since they've taken liberties painting the cut-a-way pieces it's hard to know.

Anyone remember far enough back or do they rebuilders just do this for show?

sixfootdan Wed Dec 03, 2003 11:53 pm

I don't think I've ever sen a Red one before?

Kombi Thu Dec 04, 2003 12:15 am

ratwell wrote: Why do the engine builders paint the dipstick red? ...Anyone remember far enough back or do they rebuilders just do this for show?
I think it's for show... My baywindow(69 westy) has a silver err black ummm... nope it is silver dipstick. Original I don't know...

NeverHadaBeetle Thu Dec 04, 2003 6:30 am

A couple of years ago I bought a 1979 Westfalia with only 36,000 original miles. It was pristine, never molested, never painted, and it had a silver dipstick. Just like all the others I have seen.

coad Thu Dec 04, 2003 6:42 am

I'm old enough to remember brand new beetles and buses, and I'll swear they were never painted. Just look at your manual. In the photos its obvious they're just normal steel.



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