Oil Diptick Stuck

[H1_VLTG]

Last time I did an oil change I couldn't get the dipstick out to check the level. I felt if I pulled any harder something would have broken. Now It is time for another oil change, anyone have any tips or suggestions on how I can remove the the dipstick?

It is for a 2006 Sports Edition V8.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[4runnin83]

Is the metal portion stuck? or the plastic part near the handle? If you can bend it back a little try to pour a bit of oil down the tube and possibly 'lubricate' it and pull it out... this is a weird one

 

[H1_VLTG]

I could get the plastic handle to turn a little, but that's about it, I couldn't "Pull" it out at all. It really felt like I might break it if I pulled any harder.

I know it is really weird...never seen it before...It was and still is a "WTF" type of situation.

 

[TechWrench]

I could get the plastic handle to turn a little, but that's about it, I couldn't "Pull" it out at all. It really felt like I might break it if I pulled any harder.

I know it is really weird...never seen it before...It was and still is a "WTF" type of situation.

Most likely, some rust has formed at the top of the dip stick filler tube, which has caused the sealing 'O' ring at the top of the dipstick to seize to the inside of the tube. I would try, using the flexible straw tube that comes with WD-40 cans, to spray some WD-40 (or some other type of break-free fluid) underneath the cap on the dipstick that covers the top of the tube. If you can get some in there, let it sit a day, and then try to carefully remove the dipstick. You can try rocking the top of the dipstick back and forth (gently so as not to break the top of the dipstick off) while pulling on it, and hope it comes loose.

PS: Once you do get the dipstick free of the tube, be sure to clean the inside of the tube of any rust, clean the 'O' ring on the dipstick and lubricate it with oil or grease to help prevent it from happening again. Also, checking your oil more often might help keep it from sticking again. ;-)

 

[H1_VLTG]

I just changed the oil and sure enough the dip stick won't budge.

TechWrench, good suggestion, I'll give it a try. Thanks

 

[H1_VLTG]

A lil PB Blaster goes a long way...it worked like a charm!!

 

[ecally]

I purchased my 2008 used in August, with about 50K on it. I really had to pull and twist on the dipstick to get it unstuck. I thought it was going to break. I wiped the oring and handle down with a little oil, and it comes out nice and easy everytime now (currently have over 55K). Not sure what causes the problem.

 

[scooter2374]

My '05 used to do the same thing I think starting around 30k miles. I started using just a fingertips worth of the new oil I was putting in around the seal and it hasn't acted up since.

 

[Ebbsnflows]

I guess I'm the latest at trying to pull "excalibur" from the stone. LOL

At 100,150 miles on my '05...my dipstick was locked in tight...unfortunately I would not allow myself to be bested by a tiny little dipstick and managed to snap the pull ring off while using way too much vigor. Fortunately I was able to use Vice-grips to loosen it enough to squirt a tiny amount of Penetrating oil down into the tube. It came out pretty easily after that.

 

[claydoctor]

This happened to me today for the second time . I changed the oil and when I tried to check the level , the dipstick would not budge . The problem does appear to be one of rust forming at the top of the tube . Toyota must use a type of metal in the tube that is prone to rust . I took the tip of a knife blade and ran it around the space between the top of the tube and the dipstick to free any rust that might be blocking the next step , which was to shoot PB Blaster around the top of the tube and let it seep down the tube . I left it about 3-4 hours and then was able to free it . You could see the rust in the top of the tube . I cleaned the first inch or two of the tube using a 9mm bore brush then swabbed it with Q-tips and 3 in 1 oil . Might not hurt to paint the first half inch or so inside the tube with rust resistant paint .

 

[behever]

Just happened to me too. Really Annoying!

I used to screw driver to give me a little more of a handle and had to yank pretty hard to get it out.

 

[A10GAC]

I had the same issue on my '06 V6, PB Blaster loosened things up and silicone grease every oil change keeps things free. I chased thetube with a rolled up blue shop towel, there was a bunch of crud/rust that came out. I flushed the tube with some clean oil prior to draining the pan. That was 4 oil changes ago and everything still seems fine.

 

[hilow]

That is very weird. Looks like you don't check your oil level regularly. Be careful not break the stick it self or else you have to remove the oil pan just to get it.

 

[claydoctor]

I'm sure more frequent checking of oil level would alleviate the problem. I rarely check mine . The car doesn't smoke, the light doesn't come on and I change the oil every 5,000 miles with synthetic . Seems kind of ridiculous for me to check the level after changing oil because I know how much I just put in it . I do pay more attention now to greasing the top of the tube .