BROKEN DIPSTICK HELP ?

[Bardolphs]

Went to dip the oil last night and the yellow 'ring pull' came off in my hand !
It's snapped off around where the o-ring seats on the yellow plastic, just inside the tube.

Anyone had this issue ? Any ideas how to remove the old dipstick ?

I hope that I can get it from underneath the car by removing the full tube that it sits in,
though I've not yet been able to get a look at it.

I've ordered a replacement dipstick via Ford and would urge anyone with an older car to do the same.
As I guess the plastic ages.
Hopefully it can be removed easily. Hate to think the engine has to be removed !!

Any help appreciated..

[obes]

We always used to say if you hadn't melted it, you haven't been trying hard enough !

The answer to your question is yes, you can remove the tube. It's a horrible job though ! - not difficult, just mega awkward !

[NobleGuy]

Can you see any of the remaining stick or has it fallen in?

[Bardolphs]

You can see the yellow plastic where it has broken, around 1cm inside the tube.
Trouble is that you can't get a drill or the like in there to use an easy-out.

I take it to remove the guide tube, the work needs to be done from under the car ?

[S26VE P]

Maybe a long shot BUT how about gluing something to it overnight then pull it out?

[mgbond]

Or some long nosed pliars (not the larger type but the ones used in electronic firms).

Bondy

[paulcundy]

Oh dear no boys. Its easy to remove. Get a small drill bit, 2mm or so and drill out a few mm of the plastic. Do this by hand and you don't need to squeeze a whole drill into the space. The plastic is pretty soft. Then get a small self tapper of the size above the drill, say 2.5 or 3mm and screw it in just a few turns into the drill hole in the yellow stub thats stuck in the tube just until it bites, then gently pull it out. Spray a bit of WD40 around it just before you begin to ease it. Removing the whole tube is totaly unessecary.
Done it several times.
Regards
Paul C

Edited by paulcundy on Wednesday 30th July 22:49

[NobleGuy]

Yeah, I would definitely go for the pull out from the top method first.

[m12_nathan]

paulcundy said:

Oh dear no boys. Its easy to remove. Get a small drill bit, 2mm or so and drill out a few mm of the plastic. Do this by hand and you don't need to squeeze a whole drill into the space. The plastic is pretty soft. Then get a small self tapper of the size above the drill, say 2.5 or 3mm and screw it in just a few turns into the drill hole in the yellow stub thats stuck in the tube just until it bites, then gently pull it out. Spray a bit of WD40 around it just before you begin to ease it. Removing the whole tube is totaly unessecary.
Done it several times.
Regards
Paul C

Edited by paulcundy on Wednesday 30th July 22:49

Doesn't that result in little bits of plastic in the sump oil?

[Bardolphs]

Many thanks for all your help.

A 1.5mm drill bit spun between my fingers was enough to drill in sufficiently to get a hold and extract the offending item ! I have a replacement waiting at my pals garage.

Cheers All..

[JLSELAN]

m12_nathan said:

paulcundy said:

Oh dear no boys. Its easy to remove. Get a small drill bit, 2mm or so and drill out a few mm of the plastic. Do this by hand and you don't need to squeeze a whole drill into the space. The plastic is pretty soft. Then get a small self tapper of the size above the drill, say 2.5 or 3mm and screw it in just a few turns into the drill hole in the yellow stub thats stuck in the tube just until it bites, then gently pull it out. Spray a bit of WD40 around it just before you begin to ease it. Removing the whole tube is totaly unessecary.
Done it several times.
Regards
Paul C

Edited by paulcundy on Wednesday 30th July 22:49

Doesn't that result in little bits of plastic in the sump oil?

Possibly, but nothing the oil filter can't handle .
Good tip, Paul!

Edited by JLSELAN on Thursday 31st July 22:32

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

m12_nathan said:

paulcundy said:

Oh dear no boys. Its easy to remove. Get a small drill bit, 2mm or so and drill out a few mm of the plastic. Do this by hand and you don't need to squeeze a whole drill into the space. The plastic is pretty soft. Then get a small self tapper of the size above the drill, say 2.5 or 3mm and screw it in just a few turns into the drill hole in the yellow stub thats stuck in the tube just until it bites, then gently pull it out. Spray a bit of WD40 around it just before you begin to ease it. Removing the whole tube is totaly unessecary.
Done it several times.
Regards
Paul C

Edited by paulcundy on Wednesday 30th July 22:49

Doesn't that result in little bits of plastic in the sump oil?

Only if you drill all the way through the plastic...

[Jim O.]

If you're really concerned about the bits of plastic, put a little heavy grease on the drill bit to catch the shavings.

[paulcundy]

Jim O. said:

If you're really concerned about the bits of plastic, put a little heavy grease on the drill bit to catch the shavings.

or hoover them out before you pull..........these porkers drivers, no imagination!

[Bardolphs]

New item fitted.. Thanks all..