Removing A Broken Oil Dipstick
video description
Pull a decent vacuum and the dipstick will suck out far enough to grab it.
Another trick is to block/clamp off most of the vacuum lines to the valve cover, then a quick' shot of compressed air using a blow gun into one open valve cover hose, will pop out the dipstick, best to use a fairly low regulated air source for obvious reasons, and wrap a rag over the diptick tube in case it shoots some oil up out of the dipstick tube when you give it a blast with air
Date: 2024-02-16
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Comments and reviews: 19
jamescaron6465
I didn’t have to deal with a broken dipstick. I had to deal with a broken dipstick tube. The solution Remove the intake manifold since it popped up right between cylinder one and two it took me an hour to remove and reinstall the intake system because I had to remove everything, and 30 seconds to install the new tube.
You’re right the plastic shavings wouldn’t be an issue because a dipstick seals at the top and you can simply blow the chunks away. The slide hammer was an outstanding idea. A little shock like that is perfect to get it dislodged and loosened up enough to get it removed. And honestly go OEM with the dipstick and the dipstick too because when I had to replace mine, I put a new dipstick in. I went with a third-party aftermarket, Dorman, and they didn’t fit and they didn’t work. I went to Toyota I got the right parts and everything was fine.
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I didn’t have to deal with a broken dipstick. I had to deal with a broken dipstick tube. The solution Remove the intake manifold since it popped up right between cylinder one and two it took me an hour to remove and reinstall the intake system because I had to remove everything, and 30 seconds to install the new tube.
You’re right the plastic shavings wouldn’t be an issue because a dipstick seals at the top and you can simply blow the chunks away. The slide hammer was an outstanding idea. A little shock like that is perfect to get it dislodged and loosened up enough to get it removed. And honestly go OEM with the dipstick and the dipstick too because when I had to replace mine, I put a new dipstick in. I went with a third-party aftermarket, Dorman, and they didn’t fit and they didn’t work. I went to Toyota I got the right parts and everything was fine.
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markcollins457
Great trick, about a week ago I took my truck in for an oil change while out of town one of those national fast changers (don't judge) and the service guy informed me that my dip stick was leaking, after I inspected it I went and told the manager to stop all work because the RED oil was trans fluid and the steel line that was in question was a Trans cooler line.
The moral of the story when National chain shops hire inexperienced people and they drain the transmission instead of the work order says ENGINE OIL change and he filled my transmission with 5w 20 the National chain as per my demands towed my truck to a transmission shop to make sure everything is OK.
Your video on a simple repair still makes me want you as my go to guy.
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Great trick, about a week ago I took my truck in for an oil change while out of town one of those national fast changers (don't judge) and the service guy informed me that my dip stick was leaking, after I inspected it I went and told the manager to stop all work because the RED oil was trans fluid and the steel line that was in question was a Trans cooler line.
The moral of the story when National chain shops hire inexperienced people and they drain the transmission instead of the work order says ENGINE OIL change and he filled my transmission with 5w 20 the National chain as per my demands towed my truck to a transmission shop to make sure everything is OK.
Your video on a simple repair still makes me want you as my go to guy.
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izzynutz2000
I just got done doing this on my Chrysler 2006 Town and Country years ago I was shown a trick when you have a plastic dipstick break off like that you find yourself a large paper clip or a piece of baling wire and you heat it up red hot then you stick it down in that plastic and it will melt let it cool off for a few minutes come by with your side Cutters or Plies and pull it out just another way to do it also on those particular type of dipsticks there is a roll pin that holds that metal into the handle you can knock that roll pin out and change the sticks around put your old stick on the new handle then you don't have to go get one just some FYI tips
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I just got done doing this on my Chrysler 2006 Town and Country years ago I was shown a trick when you have a plastic dipstick break off like that you find yourself a large paper clip or a piece of baling wire and you heat it up red hot then you stick it down in that plastic and it will melt let it cool off for a few minutes come by with your side Cutters or Plies and pull it out just another way to do it also on those particular type of dipsticks there is a roll pin that holds that metal into the handle you can knock that roll pin out and change the sticks around put your old stick on the new handle then you don't have to go get one just some FYI tips
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markh. 6687
That was an epic display of what can go wrong, will go wrong.
I'd think to use a little vacuum hose (tubing and a cork with a hole through it, did one to clean some tight corners out on a clothes dryer) on the shop vac, but that stick was actually stuck in there (never saw that before. Either that or think about removing the dipstick tube if it's easily accessible if nothing else works. Maybe tweezers
And let's hear it for NAPA making sure the right part is in the box! (Raspberries)
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That was an epic display of what can go wrong, will go wrong.
I'd think to use a little vacuum hose (tubing and a cork with a hole through it, did one to clean some tight corners out on a clothes dryer) on the shop vac, but that stick was actually stuck in there (never saw that before. Either that or think about removing the dipstick tube if it's easily accessible if nothing else works. Maybe tweezers
And let's hear it for NAPA making sure the right part is in the box! (Raspberries)
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325xitgrocgetter
I suppose to prevent this is to check your oil frequently. I had a job with a company car. I went to fill it with gas and checked the oil. The handle snapped off leaving the stick marooned in the tube. Called the manager and he jokingly chided me for checking the oil. as none of the other employees were that diligent. Seemed like the seal on the cap part of the dip stick glued itself to the tube.
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I suppose to prevent this is to check your oil frequently. I had a job with a company car. I went to fill it with gas and checked the oil. The handle snapped off leaving the stick marooned in the tube. Called the manager and he jokingly chided me for checking the oil. as none of the other employees were that diligent. Seemed like the seal on the cap part of the dip stick glued itself to the tube.
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gregz6418
Well, I feel so good after watching this video! I have a fraction of your natural talent, experience, or toolbox but I think my attempt would go much the same way, including getting the wrong replacement part. Somedays I wonder if I'm just cursed Seeing this reminds me that it really is a crapshoot some days as to whether it takes 5 minutes or 5 hours to do a simple job.
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Well, I feel so good after watching this video! I have a fraction of your natural talent, experience, or toolbox but I think my attempt would go much the same way, including getting the wrong replacement part. Somedays I wonder if I'm just cursed Seeing this reminds me that it really is a crapshoot some days as to whether it takes 5 minutes or 5 hours to do a simple job.
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user-ly1vy3ik6v
Hi Erie, I love your video and keep them coming, the things I learn from you I pads on to. y son who is a license mechanic. I'm not being rude here as I don't know much but could the whole tube be pulled out removed and then reinstalled with new dipstick, just another view point I mean no harm. I love your diagnosed ability
Rick
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Hi Erie, I love your video and keep them coming, the things I learn from you I pads on to. y son who is a license mechanic. I'm not being rude here as I don't know much but could the whole tube be pulled out removed and then reinstalled with new dipstick, just another view point I mean no harm. I love your diagnosed ability
Rick
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acanfield87
Nice! I just had to do this in my 08 Jeep Grand Cherokee. What worked better for me was soaking the broken plastic POS stuck in the tube with PB Blaster. Really helped free it up when using plyers as shown. Plus I replaced the handle with an aluminum one from eBay. Going to grease that thing with oil on every change, too.
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Nice! I just had to do this in my 08 Jeep Grand Cherokee. What worked better for me was soaking the broken plastic POS stuck in the tube with PB Blaster. Really helped free it up when using plyers as shown. Plus I replaced the handle with an aluminum one from eBay. Going to grease that thing with oil on every change, too.
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calholli
This is more my speed. Struggle every step of the way; finally get a victory.
and of course it's the wrong part, because it's always the wrong part.
I had to go back twice today for the pipes under my mothers kitchen sink. :)
It's fun to see that this doesn't only happen to me
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This is more my speed. Struggle every step of the way; finally get a victory.
and of course it's the wrong part, because it's always the wrong part.
I had to go back twice today for the pipes under my mothers kitchen sink. :)
It's fun to see that this doesn't only happen to me
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bads9212
The trick i use is just grab a pick with a compound tip, heat the tip cherry red, stab it down into the plastic and let it cool for a min then pull it out. No worries about any plastic chips, just have to be careful on engines with plastic valve covers and make sure you only stab the dipstick
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The trick i use is just grab a pick with a compound tip, heat the tip cherry red, stab it down into the plastic and let it cool for a min then pull it out. No worries about any plastic chips, just have to be careful on engines with plastic valve covers and make sure you only stab the dipstick
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oldcynic6964
Got a good view of the back of your head, and the back of your hands.
What exactly were you drilling
Were you just trying to get a screw to get mechanically stuck to the dipstick
Wouldn't have killed you to tell us what was the theory. Not one of your best, sir.
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Got a good view of the back of your head, and the back of your hands.
What exactly were you drilling
Were you just trying to get a screw to get mechanically stuck to the dipstick
Wouldn't have killed you to tell us what was the theory. Not one of your best, sir.
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7071t6
Great Stuff Erik, mate keep up the great wok, your the man, especially with the some of the good idea's like this one and also putting a plastic bottle on the end of a screwdriver to listen to any noises on moving outer parts of a engine or the engine it self.
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Great Stuff Erik, mate keep up the great wok, your the man, especially with the some of the good idea's like this one and also putting a plastic bottle on the end of a screwdriver to listen to any noises on moving outer parts of a engine or the engine it self.
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autorepair
The Cummins L10 in my Navistar truck has a long dip stick. I pulled it one day and was horrified at no oil! Then realized part of the bottom of the dipstick was gone! I don't know if it's still in the tube, or in the pan, but it's in there somewhere!
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The Cummins L10 in my Navistar truck has a long dip stick. I pulled it one day and was horrified at no oil! Then realized part of the bottom of the dipstick was gone! I don't know if it's still in the tube, or in the pan, but it's in there somewhere!
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fomoco300k
I’ve seen a few missing dipsticks, a wrong one once or twice, but all the broken ones I’ve seen seemed to be metal or the classic broken off and fallen in kind. Now I’ll know what to do if I encounter a plastic handled one.
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I’ve seen a few missing dipsticks, a wrong one once or twice, but all the broken ones I’ve seen seemed to be metal or the classic broken off and fallen in kind. Now I’ll know what to do if I encounter a plastic handled one.
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autorepair
I’ve broken a slide hammer trying to remove a broken Van Halen aftermarket dipstick on a 2010 hondoo pilot. That girl was not letting go. Eventually after many failed attempts and a coworkers new slide hammer she was removed.
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I’ve broken a slide hammer trying to remove a broken Van Halen aftermarket dipstick on a 2010 hondoo pilot. That girl was not letting go. Eventually after many failed attempts and a coworkers new slide hammer she was removed.
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johnnyblue4799
I guess it depends on the car. On mine the dipstick tube is mounted on the engine block by a 10mm bolt. Easy to remove, then the dipstick can be pushed out of the tube. So, if this happens I won't need to drill anything.
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I guess it depends on the car. On mine the dipstick tube is mounted on the engine block by a 10mm bolt. Easy to remove, then the dipstick can be pushed out of the tube. So, if this happens I won't need to drill anything.
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Yawwee
Good way to get er done! Them universal replacement oil dip sticks if too long, just get a Bic ball point pen housing, warm it up with a heat gun and slide it over the stick till the full mark in in the correct place!
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Good way to get er done! Them universal replacement oil dip sticks if too long, just get a Bic ball point pen housing, warm it up with a heat gun and slide it over the stick till the full mark in in the correct place!
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SPAZTICCYTOPLASM
If it's your own car, so you got time a little dab of gorilla glue on the screw goes a long way! i wish they'd looped some metal into the handle part of the dipstick would make it less likely to break.
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If it's your own car, so you got time a little dab of gorilla glue on the screw goes a long way! i wish they'd looped some metal into the handle part of the dipstick would make it less likely to break.
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Ignacio604
Back in my days we either had to buy a book or pay someone to gather any type of information just to learn something, i appreciate you taking the time to give us step-by-step instructions. teacher
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Back in my days we either had to buy a book or pay someone to gather any type of information just to learn something, i appreciate you taking the time to give us step-by-step instructions. teacher
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