Today I decided to change my oil, which is usually quite un eventful, however today the oil change Gods were not looking down on me, or if they were they were having a good laugh. After re-filling the crankcase I went to chek the oil level and the dipstick would not come out. I could pull it out about 1 inch and then it was stuck solid. Anybody ever had that happen? If so, how did you finally get it out. I warmed the engine thinking the tube might expand and allow the thing to come outBUT,No go.It was still stuck. I don't want to pull too hard because I know the the handle will break off and then I will have a major problem on my hands. Can anyone help?


thanks,
Pat

 

New one! The tube itself goes int a rubber grommet in the crankcase and is held there by the one bolt that you can see near the top. You should be able to twist the plastic handle, it is fairly stout.

 

Many years ago I had a Chevy G-20 van, and somehow the dipstick got bent by by the original owner, it eventually came out but I had to heave on it.

It sounds like you have a kinked or bent dipstick, it should come out with a twisting motion as Don has suggested. When its out inspect it carefully, if the bend or kink is too bad to straighten, replace it so you will get an accurate reading of your oil level.

 

the dipstick is a cable...right?

 

yep, It's like wire rope

pat

 

Thanks for all the replys, I finally took it to the dealer for some other work and asked them to take a look at it. while I was discussing it with the service writer a mechanic walked by and in a smartass way said that it was impossible to get the dipstick stuck, so he reached in and yanked on the handle just to prove how "stupid"I was.Well when he yanked on it he pulled the plastic handle off, he turned to me and said:that's odd". he then handed me the handle, I handed it to the service writer and said" now that's odd. Can you see to it that that gets fixed." She turned very red but said "consider it done."I have no idea what they plan to do but it has been there since yesterday morning.

regards,
pat

 

Too funny. Looks like you will be getting your new dipstick for free lol.

 

Okay, just to bring everyone up to date.I Picked up the car today and I have a nice new dipstick. as I understand, the smartass machanic had to fix it and he pulled it out with a vice grips, Nobody could figure out why it was stuck, best we could surmize was the Little aluminum piece on the end of the dipstick got stuck on the end of the tube that holds the dipstick.So, if your dipstick gets stuck, just order a new one and pull the old one out with a vice grips that, I guess, is the official repair procedure

Regards,
pat