Dipstick handle snapped off !

[davidcd]

I've never heard of this; anybody else ?

I have a 1998 5.0L AWD Merc Mountaineer - was doing a regular oil level check when filling up and the dipstick handle snapped off flush with the top of the tube.

There is a piece of the handle still stuck in the tube so that the stick is still kept from falling down into the engine. The handle must be made of some sort of ceramic - I don't think it's plastic - but, there is nothing to grab on to - I guess I try to tap it out.

Has anybody had this happen before ??

 

[1992fordgreen]

Use pliers. Really long needle nose pliers...

 

[koda2000]

a pair of forceps work great for this type of thing. don't worry about it falling in. it won't, it'll stop as soon as the tip hits the bottom of the oil pan (not very far away from were it normally sits).

 

[FIND]

Same thing happened on mine. Took it out with a pair of forceps, got a new dipstick from a Ford dealer. Not as uncommon a problem as you might think. It's an easy place for condensation to collect.

 

[davidcd]

No space for forceps or needle nose pliers ...

Thanks for the feedback ....

On mine, the handle shaft broke so that there is enough remaining in the tube that it's a snug fit and no space between the shaft stub and the tube.

I passed by the mechanic's shop this morning and they took a look at it - when I first told them the problem at the desk, they thought they'd be able to handle it with pliers too but, once they saw what was left in the tube they said they'd have to pull the tube to get the dipstick out. Luckily, it's time for an oil change, too.

 

[1992fordgreen]

Needle nose pliers should be small enough. ??

 

[ultraclyde]

GOt a shop vac? If you do, you might be able to adapt the hose down to a small enough diameter to just fit over the tube and generate enough suction to pop the broken piece out. It's kind of a hail mary, but it might be worth a shot.

 

[TheHorror]

No space for forceps or needle nose pliers ...

Thanks for the feedback ....

On mine, the handle shaft broke so that there is enough remaining in the tube that it's a snug fit and no space between the shaft stub and the tube.

I passed by the mechanic's shop this morning and they took a look at it - when I first told them the problem at the desk, they thought they'd be able to handle it with pliers too but, once they saw what was left in the tube they said they'd have to pull the tube to get the dipstick out. Luckily, it's time for an oil change, too.

Same situation here on my newly acquired '96 V8 Explorer. There's no room to get needle nose pliers around the broken shaft that's designed to seat snugly in the tube. I didn't have any luck with magnets, but there's probably not enough exposed metal of the dipstick.

I assume I'll have to unbolt the tube's support leg from the exhaust manifold and pull it out of the block. (Are these ones just a non-hardening sealant friction fit like 5.0's from the '90s trucks?) My uncertainty is what to replace it with. I haven't seen any other V8 Explorers or Mountaineers at the local junkyards. Will any other trucks have the same dipstick? I imagine I'll be able to push the broken dipstick out from the bottom once the tube is out of the block, then reuse the tube.

 

[nameskreen]

I took a plastic wall anchor and glued it to the top of the remaining dip stick, waited a few hours and then pulled it out. I bought a new one at the dealer

 

[TheHorror]

I thought about trying that, but was worried the glue would spread to the tube walls and lock the dipstick in place. Maybe if I'm extra super careful... Good call on buying a new one instead of guessing at comparable lengths from other vehicles.