Here’s an odd one. The dipstick tube on my ‘09 Fit Sport has corroded to the point where I’ve had to remove one of the O-rings on the dipstick in order to insert it fully. Anyone else having this problem? (Please, no metaphorical jokes/interpretations).

 

dammit!!!!

 

I purchased a new dipstick and this one goes in just fine. So the problem must have been with the old dipstick, and not the tube. That said, there's a lot of corrosion on the outside of the tube. Not sure whether I should be concerned about this. The car's seen two rather mild northeast winters.

 

Corroded dipstick indicates water in your crankcase.. Change oil and filter immediately, get a new dipstick and keep a sharp eye.
Check your coolant as well for loss.

 

Actually, the dipstick wasn't corroded at all. I had thought that the tube might be on the inside (it certainly is corroded on the outside), but apparently not. The technicians at the dealership must have mishandled the dipstick when they did an oil change (or when they replaced the LMSs), somehow bending it into a shape so that it wouldn't seat properly in the tube. Anyway, a new dipstick was only about $5 and it's seating properly, so the problem is solved.

 

speaking of corrosion inside enginebay, what do you guys use to prevent rust on say hose clamps?

can't really paint them, but want some kind of corrision protection.

 

It's a good question. I spray WD-40 on the electrical connections, especially near the battery. But I don't want to do that to the hose clamps, as I'd get it on the rubber hose, and I doubt that's good for the rubber. The clamps on mine are definitely corroding and I'd love to figure out how to slow this down.

 

yah, my 09's clamps are corroded pretty badly too and i was surprised to see this cause my other cars (non-honda) driving in similar conditions did not have such levels of rust. it's only surface rust so mechanically/functionally not an issue, but cometically looks like crap.

i think im going to take a close look at the areas that corroded on my 09 and apply a very light coat of motor oil on my '12's clamps using a swab.

it's too late for the 09 but my 12 is brand new.