Are there any differences between the years when it comes to the oil dipstick and the tube? It would be nice if I could mix and match the two from any 90-05 Miata, but with the changes made to the pan over the years I'm guessing that there's differences. Especially going from the 1.6 to the 1.8 cars and then again when they changed the oil pan in 01. The tube and dipstick from my 01 are both missing and I want to drive the car today. This is a really stupid problem to have.

 

The 1.6 dipstick matched my 99 dipstick, not sure about the tube.

 

a B6 dipstick did NOT match a BP dipstick in my experience. the B6 was considerably longer, so whilst I thought I was above max oil level, I was actually barely scraping min.

 

Go order the dipstick and tube for a 1999/2000 California model from your local Mazda dealership. You get the awesome unbreakable dipstick. It shouldn't be more than $40 or so for the stick and the tube. 94-05 should all work if you're in a pinch. I wouldn't imagine the 1.6 and the 1.8 are interchangable.

 

Where does 1 gallon of oil show up on your dipstick at the oil change? Both hit the top of "F" in regards to the 1.6 and 99 dispsticks.

 

Not a clue, I generally buy 4 litres of oil from CostCo and throw as much in as needed until it hits full.

I only realised they were different when I took mine out and read the handle which stated 'B6'. I took the spare one I had out of my old engine (marked BP), and compared them together, from the stop they're considerbly different in length and the markings don't line up.


Shame as the B6 one has a much bigger and stronger handle so less likely to snap.

 

If I can't locate the original one by tonight I'm going to order one. The engine doesn't currently have any oil in it so I'll just add 4 quarts and put the dipstick/tube from my 93 in there to cover the hole until it arrives. Might not even matter, I'm sure something else will prevent me from starting her today.

 

When I got a new dipstick for my 1.8 swap I found 3 different part numbers for the 1.6, NA 1.8 and NB 1.8. I want to say the dipstick tube for the 1.6 I removed did not match the 1.8 dipstick either.

 

Ok, just measured and the 1.6 dipstick is longer than the 99. I'll get all three out later and take pics.

 

Might be your answer as to why you're having oil issues on track.

 

I'm more confused now than when I started this thread.

 

You're welcome

 

Not sure about the 1.6's, but on the 1.8's, you can use any 1.8 dipstick and tube on any 1.8, as long as both parts (the dipstick & tube) match. The dipstick & tube have to match each other (ie: both NA 1.8), but they do not have to match the block (ie: 2004 NB).

 

One more datapoint here on 1.6 is different than 1.8.

 

What oil issues?

 

I thought you were having issues with oil foaming/spewing out at the track. Could be from over filling if the 1.6 dipstick is shorter than the NB.

 

I'm an idiot, the 1.6 dipstick is longer, quite a bit longer. I've been about .5q low at best for 2-years. I guess I need to start buying 5-quarts per oil change. I drank all day when I posted that.

 

Proves how durable your motor is tho really, I mean how hard do you beat on it AND you've been running it a tad low on oil all this time.

Can't change the past now though I wouldn't worry over it

 

UOA data tells me not to worry. I bet another 1/2q will help though...or blow through the breather, lulz.

 

I have both a 94 and 02 dipstick. they are different. I tried them both on the same 94 car and they read differently.