Stained Dispstick

[SlugSlinger]

Looking at buying a 2021 Kia Sportage with 59000 miles.

I noticed 2 things. The coolant was at the low line of the reservoir and the concerning thing is the stained oils dipstick.

The dark staining is above the fill mark to about an inch above the full mark. It looks like varnish.

Last documented oil change was about 4500 miles comparing the receipt and the odometer.

I should have looked in the valve cover but didn’t think about that at the time.


I may go back and check that. The second owner is selling it because “her daughter wasn’t following the rules”.

I’m concerned about the staining and probably, at minimum, the lack of maintenance.

Any pinions on the stained dipstick?

 

[dlbleak]

I’ve seen that on vehicles that have the tube close to the exhaust or header. Could just be a result of heat in that area.

 

[SlugSlinger]

I’ve seen that on vehicles that have the tube close to the exhaust or header. Could just be a result of heat in that area.

I thought about that when I saw it, but the engine cover kept me from seeing where the exhaust is. I’ll check that. Thanks

 

[Waltercat]

Do some homework on KIA. This may or may not be the engine you are looking at but it's becoming big issue. Low Tension Rings are an issue with Honda also. Oil consumption. Just an FYI.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/t...eeting-cafe-oil-consumption-more-wear.355857/

 

[Chief Sapulpa]

Within the last year there have been repair parts availability problems with Kia and Hyundai vehicles, especially body parts. You might check to see if that’s been resolved.

 

[red dirt shootist]

A while back I had been seeing this little gal, and I'm pretty sure nobody had ever accused her of being an angel, and one day I noticed a weird stain, and ................ah wait, am on topic here?

 

[Snattlerake]

A while back I had been seeing this little gal, and I'm pretty sure nobody had ever accused her of being an angel, and one day I noticed a weird stain, and ................ah wait, am on topic here?

Wrong hole. You stuck your dipstick into the transmission.

 

[red dirt shootist]

Wrong hole. You stuck your dipstick into the transmission.

There's no shame in being thorough.