Oil dipstick failure

[aldive]

Went to check the oil in my 4.0 SOHC the other day and when I pulled the dip stick out, only the handle came out. The plastic handle broke off at the top of the dipstick.

I ordered part number XL2Z6750DA
from Torrie at Fast Parts Network ( http://www.fastpartsnetwork.com/ ). The cost was $30.73 to my door via UPS..

To remove the broken dipstick, I had to grab it with Vice Grips and pull it out. It was ucky that there was enough material to grab.

The new dipstick was installed. The total time involved was about 2 minutes.

Has anyone else experienced this failure?

 

[cgolden]

.

 

[burtonbrd138]

that is weird! The dipstick must have been in there pretty good for you to pull it hard enough to break it clean off.

 

[EMG7895]

I've never seen it on an explorer but its pretty common on boats, or anything with an all metal dip stick.

 

[aldive]

no one checks there oil as much as you do

I rarely check the oil since its never used a single drop. This was a check prior to a long road trip.

 

[cgolden]

I see

 

[Premier]

no one checks there oil as much as you do

oh damn, this made me LOL! haha, he does have a point Al

 

[kyleyz762]

the reason it broke was because of the dry rotted rubber ring. happens on a lot of ford trucks. whenever you do anything with the stick hit it with some oil itll never happen again.

 

[CDW6212R]

Interesting.

 

[aldive]

the reason it broke was because of the dry rotted rubber ring. happens on a lot of ford trucks. whenever you do anything with the stick hit it with some oil itll never happen again.

The plastic handle is what broke. It broke at least 1/2" above the o ring.

 

[BrooklynBay]

What was the highest engine temperature during that trip?