Stubborn Dipstick 04 Dc

natelev · #1 (**permalink**) 11-30-2004, 11:50 AM

I have an 04 DC with a very stubborn dipstic. Every time I go to check the oil the dipstick comes out fine but it is very hard to push back in. It will go in the tube about 2/3 of the way and then it will jam as if it is trying to go around a hard corner. I tried putting a small bend in the end of the dipstick but that did not help. Anybody have any ideas what might be wrong here? Does anyone else have this issue? It feels as if I might be scraping small pieces of the dipstick tube into the engine each time I force it back into place.

LGL002 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-30-2004, 12:27 PM

Take a sharpening stone or even medium sandpaper and smoothen out the sharp edges on the end of the dip stick. That'll help a lot when you insert the dip stick back into it's sleeve. It does scrape metals filings into the crankcase with those sharp edges. By the way the same goes for the transmission dip stick.

Larry

tremo · #3 (**permalink**) 11-30-2004, 01:22 PM

Also ensure you are sticking it in the same way. I found flipping it on one side way works better than the other side for some reason...

Jim.

natelev · #4 (**permalink**) 11-30-2004, 02:54 PM

Thanks for the info. I will try smoothing it tonight. I understand that the end of the dipstick is sheared during its manufacture which would produce a sharp side and a smooth side. I believe I have tried putting it in both ways with no difference but I will try it again. Seems like the problem is much more severe, like the dipstick is trying to go around a 60 deg bend.

MrBeanley · #5 (**permalink**) 11-30-2004, 03:06 PM

I have a terrible time checking the oil in my '04 DC, especially after an oil change when the oil is nice and clean. I have a miserable time seeing the oil on the stick to know if its high, low or just right.

Anybody else having this trouble? Or do I just need to get my eyes checked?

TheGryme · #6 (**permalink**) 11-30-2004, 04:56 PM

I have the exact same trouble with my 04 DC....after changing the oil (truck has 7000 miles on it) I can't see the oil line on the stick! Yeah I know.....me eyes ain't what they used to be

I was thinking of trying to paint the end of the stick with flat black paint...maybe that would help me see the line

BlueRanger · #7 (**permalink**) 11-30-2004, 05:03 PM

KLS had a good tip...dip the stick, take it out immediatly, lay it horizontal in your palm on a paper towell, and rotate to stick over to it touches the towell, leaving a wet resudue on it, now being careful not to move your stick, rotate it back, and you can compare the imprinted oil towell to your dipstick levels.

dezert_rida · #8 (**permalink**) 11-30-2004, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natelev

I have an 04 DC with a very stubborn dipstic. Every time I go to check the oil the dipstick comes out fine but it is very hard to push back in. It will go in the tube about 2/3 of the way and then it will jam as if it is trying to go around a hard corner. I tried putting a small bend in the end of the dipstick but that did not help. Anybody have any ideas what might be wrong here? Does anyone else have this issue? It feels as if I might be scraping small pieces of the dipstick tube into the engine each time I force it back into place.

Mine is a pain to reinstall as well. I just feed it in a little at a time, grabbing and applyin pressure just above the tube itself. Its slow but worth taking the time, rather than bending and kinking the stick itself.

ITs only gonna wanna go in one of two ways, according to the bends on the tube. If you go 90degrees off in either direction, the stick will not be able to bend.