Dr.Jeff
True Classic
The issue with having a improper dipstick might not be as obvious to spot as one might think. I've come across used engines (Fiat and otherwise) with either no dipstick, some random replacement one, a modified one, or the wrong dipstick tube/tube cap installed in the block. And honestly there isn't always a easy way to tell exactly what should be there. Especially if you're not completely familiar with that specific engine - or sometimes even if you are - particularly on cars that originally came with different dipsticks for different year models, etc.. I guess the simplest way to tell is to completely drain the engine of oil (including the filter), refill it to the exact level (assuming that is correctly known....not always the case), then see what the dipstick shows. But there are times when even that isn't easy to do, such as custom oil pans that take a different volume of oil from stock, or the engine isn't fully assembled (so you can't fill it) but you are trying to assemble all of the needed parts for when it is finished.
Another related issue I've seen is when the little "stopper" at the top of the stock dipstick has rotted, worn, moved, gone missing, etc, so the dipstick doesn't go the correct distance into the tube.
Another related issue I've seen is when the little "stopper" at the top of the stock dipstick has rotted, worn, moved, gone missing, etc, so the dipstick doesn't go the correct distance into the tube.