The oil quantity in my Jabiru 2200 is just a little over two quarts, so every ounce counts. Occasionally and over time, oil from the filter can leak back into the sump and indicate a higher level. To assure the proper amount, I always check the level before and after each flight. However, when hot, the knob on the dipstick expands and is difficult to remove. After checking with other Jabiru owners, I found that mine is not an isolated case.
To easily remove the dipstick, I fabricated a tool from a 1-1/2-inch-long piece of -inch square steel tubing with 1/16-inch walls. By grinding and cutting, I was able to remove the purple area shown in the drawing from the square tube. A hole was drilled in the center of the top, then filed square to accept a 1/4-inch socket extension.
The purple area is removed from a 1-1/2-inch-long piece of 3/4-inch square steel tubing. The hole on top is filed square to accept a 1/4-inch socket extension.
As you can see in the photo above, a short socket extension was bonded to the tool with epoxy. I then tightened two linked 1/4-inch hose clamps around the dipstick knob.
Placing the tool over the linked 1/4-inch hose clamps on the dipstick knob, I can easily remove the dipstick to check the oil level.
When hot, the dipstick knob on my Jabiru 2200 expands and is difficult to remove.
Placing the tool over the linked -inch hose clamps makes it easy to remove the dipstick knob. J
Materials List
- 1-1/2-inch length of 3/4-inch square steel tubing
- 1/4-inch socket extension
- 1/4-inch clamps (2 needed)
- Epoxy
