Engine oil dipstick stuck
#1
Engine oil dipstick stuck
I was going to check my oil level today as I am getting close to oil change time. I could tell it was stuck but I actually felt it move a little at first as I tried to twist it from side to side. It then refused to move and I could not pull it up even with a lot of effort.
I have put some PB blaster under the handle of the dipstick where it goes into the tube. I will put my mechanics gloves on tomorrow when I try it again, so I do not shred my hand if it suddenly frees up.
I have never had this happen before, sometimes the auto trans. dipstick is a little tight but I have always been able to work it loose. The engine oil dipstick has always pulled out.
I have put some PB blaster under the handle of the dipstick where it goes into the tube. I will put my mechanics gloves on tomorrow when I try it again, so I do not shred my hand if it suddenly frees up.
I have never had this happen before, sometimes the auto trans. dipstick is a little tight but I have always been able to work it loose. The engine oil dipstick has always pulled out.
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Scotlad (03-03-2018)
#3
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I've had this happen on a few vehicles. The O-ring or plastic part of the upper handle seizes in the dipstick tube. Your PB Blaster idea is good. You could also try carefully heating the dipstick tube with a hair dryer or heat gun to see if it will expand enough to free the dipstick. Twisting the dipstick handle clockwise/counter clockwise seems to help.
Once you get it free, apply a little dielectric grease/O-ring lubricant to the O-ring and plastic section at the top of the dipstick to help prevent it from sticking again.
Cheers,
Don
Once you get it free, apply a little dielectric grease/O-ring lubricant to the O-ring and plastic section at the top of the dipstick to help prevent it from sticking again.
Cheers,
Don
#5
I finally got the dipstick out. I attached a larger size zip tie around the base of the handle and passed another zip tie through that one and made a decent sized loop. I then used a big pry bar on the loop and pulled the dipstick out using the top of the brake booster as a leverage point. I cleaned the sealing part of the dipstick off and applied a little good quality slick grease. It now goes in and out a lot easier!
I have used the zip tie - pry bar combo before when I was changing the spark plugs on my girlfriends Chevy Impala. I could not get the spark plug boots off of the 3 firewall side spark plugs on her V6. Zip ties and the pry bar popped them right off. It made me realize how much easier it is to work on a inline 6 cyl. Jaguar engine most of the time.
I have used the zip tie - pry bar combo before when I was changing the spark plugs on my girlfriends Chevy Impala. I could not get the spark plug boots off of the 3 firewall side spark plugs on her V6. Zip ties and the pry bar popped them right off. It made me realize how much easier it is to work on a inline 6 cyl. Jaguar engine most of the time.
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