something blocking my oil dipstick

[RoadHead]

Something is blocking my oil dipstick tube. What is it and how do I get it out of there?

These pics are huge:
http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/1112/img1210kz1.jpg

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/4348/img1213kj1.jpg

It's been there for months. I just ordered a new dipstick. I assume the last mechanic to change the oil did that.

 

[kindred4x]

Follow the dipstick tube down to the block, i haven't looked on explorers but i just did a head job on a chevy and we had to remove the dipstick. The dipstick tube just plugged into the block, popped it out, and popped it back in when we were done. I guess if you take a look and it does pop out, you could drain your oil, remove the tube and start from there to remove the object. Im thinking that would be the safest way because you don't want that object falling into your engine.

 

[gijoecam]

I'm guessing that's the *old* dipstick. I'd bet dollars to donuts that the old one broke off in there.

 

[Russ in CT]

It looks like an ancient coin unearthed from an archeological dig, with the image of an alien skeleton reading a book. A rather small coin, apparently (ancient aliens had really small pockets?)

Do you have the old dipstick? What, you just went under the hood one day and instead of a dipstick you have this thing plugging up the tube (such that a dipstick, if you had one, wouldn't fit)?

It certainly is bizarre. Maybe you can get the National Enquirer to do a story on this?

 

[xplrsport01]

thats the old stick the handle broke off I've seen it befor try getting a zip tie and super glue and gently pull on it after the super glue has dried if it moves and the zip tie comes off just keep repeating the process.

 

[techieman33]

It's only 1 bolt to get it out, and then you just pull it out of the block. when your ready for your next oil change just drain the oil, and pull the dipstick tube out and run a wire down it to clear out the old stick.

 

[RoadHead]

So, I tried superglue and yanking...didn't stick well enough.

Then I tried screwing in a screw with some fast drying 2500psi epoxy on the tip. The screw is in but the stick still won't budge! (No glue on the sides though...I barely used any and probably didnt need it)

How do I access the tube? I assume I need to drain first and do a regular oil change if I go there?

 

[techieman33]

Drain your oil, then while its draining out, take off the drivers side inner fender skirt. You should be looking at the exhaust manifold then. The dipstick tube shares a bolt with the manifold just remove that bolt and the dipstick tube should pull out from the top, then just repeat the process to put it back in. Also while you've got the skirt out it would be a good opportunity to snug up the rest of the bolts holding your manifold on as they like to work themselves loose on some explorers. It's also a good time to change spark plugs/wires if you need to.