Dipstick broke help!

[E30RUNNER]

So I purchased my 99 4runner recently and decided to do a simply drain and fill of the auto transmission. Everything went well but I noticed the dipstick had been bent up and just didn't fit properly unless you jammed it in. I went to the toyota dealership and purchased a new dipstick. When I went to take out the old dipstick only about 3/4 came out.

What would you guys recommend I do???

 

[E30RUNNER]

nobody?

 

[04 sc V8]

Well I think you're only options are to drop the pan to pull the rest of it out or to remove the dipstick tube to remove the rest of the broken dipstick. I'm honestly not sure what would be easier on your particular model, but you should be able to get a good idea with a close examination of the tube and the pan assy. Good luck, either way shouldn't be too bad of a repair.

 

[jmssr5v6]

how far can you new stick can go by now?

My 4Runner may have the same engine and I had experience nearly as hard as yours: It is easy to get jammed in there.

I would try the new stick carefully and gently enough just to find where the broken tip is, and then see what I can do with that.

 

[00328]

Maybe you can try one of those long rods with a magnet on the end. Have to be pretty narrow to fit down the dip stick tube, but some of those magnets are pretty powerful.
Just a thought.

 

[Mike07SE]

At this point, the broken section may already secured by the pan magnet at the bottom. I wouldn't worry about it too much other than to drain out the trans fluid, drop the pan, see if you can pull it and put it all back together.

 

[Koz]

Check and see how the outer tube (of the dipstick) is attached to the trans. You may be able to remove it and get the broken stick out.

Koz

 

[E30RUNNER]

At this point, the broken section may already secured by the pan magnet at the bottom. I wouldn't worry about it too much other than to drain out the trans fluid, drop the pan, see if you can pull it and put it all back together.

I'm going to try to drop the pan and see if I can get at it right now. I'll post my results!

 

[E30RUNNER]

Check and see how the outer tube (of the dipstick) is attached to the trans. You may be able to remove it and get the broken stick out.

Koz

I thought about that but I think I might cause more damage to the car If I do it that way because the dipstick is jammed far down.

 

[icantsee]

Well I think you're only options are to drop the pan to pull the rest of it out or to remove the dipstick tube to remove the rest of the broken dipstick. I'm honestly not sure what would be easier on your particular model, but you should be able to get a good idea with a close examination of the tube and the pan assy. Good luck, either way shouldn't be too bad of a repair.

x2

 

[E30RUNNER]

I took the car to my mechanic he dropped the pan and was able to get the old dipstick out. He put in the new dipstick and told me that the dipstick design on the 4runner was faulty so he said to be really carefull when putting in and out. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Mike07SE]

Glad to hear about the good results!

 

[E30RUNNER]

thanks me too!

I get soo pissed when your trying to stay ahead of the maint game and take extremely good care of your car and crap like that happens. Anyway glad it was fixed