I was going to check my oil level today as I am getting close to oil change time. I could tell it was stuck but I actually felt it move a little at first as I tried to twist it from side to side. It then refused to move and I could not pull it up even with a lot of effort.

I have put some PB blaster under the handle of the dipstick where it goes into the tube. I will put my mechanics gloves on tomorrow when I try it again, so I do not shred my hand if it suddenly frees up.

I have never had this happen before, sometimes the auto trans. dipstick is a little tight but I have always been able to work it loose. The engine oil dipstick has always pulled out.

 

Of all the dang problems that come up... this is sure an odd one! I'm at a loss but please let us know what happens.

 

I've had this happen on a few vehicles. The O-ring or plastic part of the upper handle seizes in the dipstick tube. Your PB Blaster idea is good. You could also try carefully heating the dipstick tube with a hair dryer or heat gun to see if it will expand enough to free the dipstick. Twisting the dipstick handle clockwise/counter clockwise seems to help.

Once you get it free, apply a little dielectric grease/O-ring lubricant to the O-ring and plastic section at the top of the dipstick to help prevent it from sticking again.

Cheers,

Don

 

most likely a vacuum inside the engine. Remove oil cap and then try dipstick.

 

I finally got the dipstick out. I attached a larger size zip tie around the base of the handle and passed another zip tie through that one and made a decent sized loop. I then used a big pry bar on the loop and pulled the dipstick out using the top of the brake booster as a leverage point. I cleaned the sealing part of the dipstick off and applied a little good quality slick grease. It now goes in and out a lot easier!

I have used the zip tie - pry bar combo before when I was changing the spark plugs on my girlfriends Chevy Impala. I could not get the spark plug boots off of the 3 firewall side spark plugs on her V6. Zip ties and the pry bar popped them right off. It made me realize how much easier it is to work on a inline 6 cyl. Jaguar engine most of the time.