my uneducated opinion says that the coating on the end perhaps safeguards against scraping as the oil is checked whilst being forced into the tube?
That is the only thing that I could think of. The coating has the look and feel of plastic. As far as I know it's always been like this, like at least 15-20 years. I would think that if it had a serious engine oil issue it would have happened by now.
No!
Hard like plastic.
YEP! I'd say so. I have never seen that. Not even in any industrial heavy equipment I once was tasked with maintaining many many years ago. Seriously NOT ever seen on any vehicle or motorized equipment any place at all. Of course there is one thing we need to realize and keep in mind. The Dodge / Chrysler / Plymouth corporation (no matter the owners at any particular time) along with their MOPAR oem parts and equipment business has always been more innovative than most and have tried and offered so many different things. Even simple things compared to other makers so..... just another one? I suspect. At first glance though it was "start thinking about the cost of an engine swap out!" Now it sounds more the line of "oh , just another different quirk Dodge has thought up to try."
I see what you did there
I wondered about that as well. It was purchased used when it was maybe 2 years old. The guy who used to drive it didn't maintain it himself (used a local shop). He's been dead for more than 10 years now, so I can't ask him if he knows anything about this. He would not have done this.Previous owner put a little Plastidip on the end…….?
Got a link?
