Dipstick

[crouse]

Anyone know why my dipstick keeps popping out? I check my oil a few weeks ago and it was sticking out about an inch, so I pushed it back in. Today I changed oil and it was popped out again. Could too much crank case pressure cause this or is it just vibration? Any help would be appreciated.

[grampaws]

Usually it's the seal part inside the handle swells
and pops out,borrow another dipstick if it stops
then replace yours.If the rings are worn that bad
you would get some smoke puffing out the oil
filler when you remove the cap(doubtful).

[Bulten Rauder]

Check out your PVC valve...shake, rattle and roll it.

Is the stick snug in the pipe? It should be...

[frdwrnch]

Anyone know why my dipstick keeps popping out? I check my oil a few weeks ago and it was sticking out about an inch, so I pushed it back in. Today I changed oil and it was popped out again. Could too much crank case pressure cause this or is it just vibration? Any help would be appreciated.

Good thing this thread has not deviated from it's original context. But seriously folks, the PCV valve should probably be changed every 60K or so even on the fixed orifice style valve. The dipstick O-ring may have hardened as well, doing both of these should not break the bank. If your frugal like me, you may try to replace the o-ring w/one that fits a bit tighter instead of replacing the whole indicator.

[Zack]

Excess pressure in the crankcase will cause this.

[frdwrnch]

10-4 Zack for sure. I'd try the easy stuff first though.

[Krytin]

If there was enough pressure in the crankcase from bad rings or blown head gasket to blow the stick out of the tube it would also blow a noticable amount of oil out along with it, especially if it were out for an extended period of time.
It might be some kind of intermitent "spike" of pressure but from what?

Do you have a CAI and if so how close is it to the dip stick tube?
Could the intake tube be moving under acceleration and hitting the dipstick handle lifting it up?

[jdando]

Anyone know why my dipstick keeps popping out? I check my oil a few weeks ago and it was sticking out about an inch, so I pushed it back in. Today I changed oil and it was popped out again. Could too much crank case pressure cause this or is it just vibration? Any help would be appreciated.

When I changed my oil last weekend, I had a similar issue.

Could it be the butt ugly cold snap causing a little more than usually shrinking of the rubber/plastic parts?

[Marauderjack]

I agree with Zack...excess CC pressure.....but in my case it would take A LOT!!!! My dipstick is normally stuck tight and I have to turn it back and forth to free it!!!

Remove your oil filler cap with the engine running and see how much blowby you have!! If the PCV is working and you don't have a lot of blowby you should see no fumes from the filler.....if it is puffing white smoke/steam you likely have CC pressure problems!!

Good Luck!!

Marauderjack

[ctrlraven]

I agree with Zack...excess CC pressure.....but in my case it would take A LOT!!!! My dipstick is normally stuck tight and I have to turn it back and forth to free it!!!

Remove your oil filler cap with the engine running and see how much blowby you have!! If the PCV is working and you don't have a lot of blowby you should see no fumes from the filler.....if it is puffing white smoke/steam you likely have CC pressure problems!!

Good Luck!!

Marauderjack

Not to sound like a noob but taking the oil filler cap off what exactly will you see? (blowby)

[Marauderjack]

Not to sound like a noob but taking the oil filler cap off what exactly will you see? (blowby)

If the PCV is working and you don't have a lot of blowby you should see no fumes from the filler.....if it is puffing white smoke/steam you likely have CC pressure problems!!

"White smoke /steam" is blowby!!

[crouse]

Thanks for the info. Since I've got 59,000 miles on it, I think I'll replace the PCV valve and also the o-ring on the stick.

I have a JLT CAI and it's fairly close to the dipstick. Maybe I'll move the CAI tube a little to see if that helps.

[Egon Spengler]

I guess I should check my PCV as well... I had my dipsticl pop out a couple times last summer... hasn't done it since, but PCV valves aren't too expensive so I will probably replace... Where are they located? I have done one before on my Ranger... where are they located on these vehicles? In the office right now so I can't go look... easy to change?

[Krytin]

I have a JLT CAI and it's fairly close to the dipstick. Maybe I'll move the CAI tube a little to see if that helps.

I thought so!
See if you have a rub mark on the tube - ask me how I know!
(hint - check my sig.)

[crouse]

Hmmm... Wouldn't you think the whole engine and CAI would all torque as one? Or are you thinking that the CAI was move around more than the engine?