Every few days I notice my A4's dipstick has came out about 3 inches from the dipstick tube. What would cause that. Its been doing it since i bought the car, but I recently moved to the gulf and i've noticed sand getting in there.

 

Mine comes out about an 1". I think it's from pressure build up inside the trans. There is a hose for pressure relief and mine is okay, but it still happens. Clamp a piece of pantyhose over the tube and push the dipstick thru it, that should keep the sand out.