weird oil dipstick problem
Thread Starter
GT Member
Joined: November 12, 2014
Posts: 112
Likes: 4
weird oil dipstick problem
For some reason when i went to check my oil today, last couple inches of dipstick does not go in smoothly. It felt like something metal was in the way and rubbing against it, have to force it alittle in order to seat the dipstick.
Thread Starter
GT Member
Joined: November 12, 2014
Posts: 112
Likes: 4
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: February 2, 2004
Posts: 7,648
Likes: 675
From: Insane
The dipstick tube is a replaceable unit, mounted with one bolt on the left side of the engine, and then just 'shoved' into the engine block with an o-ring on it to seal from an oil leak there. The dipstick has an o-ring on it as well that provides both a seal and resistance to blowing out/escaping the tube.
The stick doesn't contact any engine pieces, and if it did, it'd get slapped away or beaten into submission, the aftermath pieces would then lie at the bottom of the pan. It is also sleeved and guided by the tube to specifically NOT contact the internal parts, just stick right into the oil pan at the location needed to get the level.
It's entirely possible the o-ring on the dipstick is hardened and is not compressing to fit into the tube. Removing it would provide the answer, if the stick goes in smoothly, that was the problem, replace the o-ring as needed. If it doesn't, then you may need to remove the dipstick tube and inspect both it and the hole it goes in. Something may have gone in the tube while you weren't looking...
Or, one would hope not, something is lurking in the oil pan where it shouldn't be... 
As indicated by the question asked earlier, turning it 180 for some reason might work, and that's probably the stick's o-ring to blame for some of that, as it ages and hardens and conforms to the tube.
I hope that helps. Very odd situation, that. Good luck!
The stick doesn't contact any engine pieces, and if it did, it'd get slapped away or beaten into submission, the aftermath pieces would then lie at the bottom of the pan. It is also sleeved and guided by the tube to specifically NOT contact the internal parts, just stick right into the oil pan at the location needed to get the level.
It's entirely possible the o-ring on the dipstick is hardened and is not compressing to fit into the tube. Removing it would provide the answer, if the stick goes in smoothly, that was the problem, replace the o-ring as needed. If it doesn't, then you may need to remove the dipstick tube and inspect both it and the hole it goes in. Something may have gone in the tube while you weren't looking...
Or, one would hope not, something is lurking in the oil pan where it shouldn't be... As indicated by the question asked earlier, turning it 180 for some reason might work, and that's probably the stick's o-ring to blame for some of that, as it ages and hardens and conforms to the tube.
I hope that helps. Very odd situation, that. Good luck!
Thread Starter
GT Member
Joined: November 12, 2014
Posts: 112
Likes: 4
The dipstick tube is a replaceable unit, mounted with one bolt on the left side of the engine, and then just 'shoved' into the engine block with an o-ring on it to seal from an oil leak there. The dipstick has an o-ring on it as well that provides both a seal and resistance to blowing out/escaping the tube.
The stick doesn't contact any engine pieces, and if it did, it'd get slapped away or beaten into submission, the aftermath pieces would then lie at the bottom of the pan. It is also sleeved and guided by the tube to specifically NOT contact the internal parts, just stick right into the oil pan at the location needed to get the level.
It's entirely possible the o-ring on the dipstick is hardened and is not compressing to fit into the tube. Removing it would provide the answer, if the stick goes in smoothly, that was the problem, replace the o-ring as needed. If it doesn't, then you may need to remove the dipstick tube and inspect both it and the hole it goes in. Something may have gone in the tube while you weren't looking... Or, one would hope not, something is lurking in the oil pan where it shouldn't be...
As indicated by the question asked earlier, turning it 180 for some reason might work, and that's probably the stick's o-ring to blame for some of that, as it ages and hardens and conforms to the tube.
I hope that helps. Very odd situation, that. Good luck!
The stick doesn't contact any engine pieces, and if it did, it'd get slapped away or beaten into submission, the aftermath pieces would then lie at the bottom of the pan. It is also sleeved and guided by the tube to specifically NOT contact the internal parts, just stick right into the oil pan at the location needed to get the level.
It's entirely possible the o-ring on the dipstick is hardened and is not compressing to fit into the tube. Removing it would provide the answer, if the stick goes in smoothly, that was the problem, replace the o-ring as needed. If it doesn't, then you may need to remove the dipstick tube and inspect both it and the hole it goes in. Something may have gone in the tube while you weren't looking...
Or, one would hope not, something is lurking in the oil pan where it shouldn't be... As indicated by the question asked earlier, turning it 180 for some reason might work, and that's probably the stick's o-ring to blame for some of that, as it ages and hardens and conforms to the tube.
I hope that helps. Very odd situation, that. Good luck!
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: February 2, 2004
Posts: 7,648
Likes: 675
From: Insane
Edit: Ah. Ok, after all this searchin for the past couple of whiles... found it on another page in another forum which I won't link. But there's a 6g involved... Search for '2015 Mustang 5.0 dipstick tube' and you'll get there.
That tube locks in with the valve cover. And it can be broken semi-easily, apparently. So a full inspection of that tube is required here. Perhaps when a valve cover was removed or something they didn't get it back in right. In any event, still gonna have to get dirty, looks like. And/or need to pull the oil pan because pieces in it, potentially... You might wanna take it to a shop, pulling the pan is no joke. Nor is a broken dipstick tube, apparently, I seen some videos now...
I mean, I'm not afraid, just... I recently did the pan drop thing and I really don't think it much fun. 
Remainder is archivalish and related, so there ya go. Hope that helps.
---
Ok, new info to me... this is... strange...
https://www.fordpartsgiant.com/parts...3z-6754-a.html
https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...tube-br3z6754b
That's the actual tube. For a 13 GT anyway. And it's straight. And it doesn't have an o-ring. And I'm confused now.
Weird looking tube. Looks *very* easy to come off the hole it's supposed to be in on the block. I mean, other than some sorta locking thing/ring at the top, maybe? I don't see any fastener to keep it where it's supposed to be, unlike the 4.6L's which is metal and has a mounting bracket on it. So maybe that's all that's happened here. The tube came off, the stick is hitting the block/pan and you can't get it to seat that way. Go under the car and have a look. (S
Otherwise, I'd take the tube off (the oil is below the tube mount in the block, so you won't lose oil) and see if the stick goes in the tube off the car. If it does, you have a mounting issue or there's something in the block that's gone wonky. An inspection camera or taking the oil pan off is the next step.
I therefore sincerely hope it's the tube's somehow got disconnected and you 'just' need to reconnect it. And then change the oil immediately because who knows what's gotten in the open cavity since that tube's come off. If that's what happened.
Just... You're gonna have to get dirty though, looks like...
That tube locks in with the valve cover. And it can be broken semi-easily, apparently. So a full inspection of that tube is required here. Perhaps when a valve cover was removed or something they didn't get it back in right. In any event, still gonna have to get dirty, looks like. And/or need to pull the oil pan because pieces in it, potentially... You might wanna take it to a shop, pulling the pan is no joke. Nor is a broken dipstick tube, apparently, I seen some videos now...
I mean, I'm not afraid, just... I recently did the pan drop thing and I really don't think it much fun. Remainder is archivalish and related, so there ya go. Hope that helps.
---
Ok, new info to me... this is... strange...
https://www.fordpartsgiant.com/parts...3z-6754-a.html
https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...tube-br3z6754b
That's the actual tube. For a 13 GT anyway. And it's straight. And it doesn't have an o-ring. And I'm confused now.
Weird looking tube. Looks *very* easy to come off the hole it's supposed to be in on the block. I mean, other than some sorta locking thing/ring at the top, maybe? I don't see any fastener to keep it where it's supposed to be, unlike the 4.6L's which is metal and has a mounting bracket on it. So maybe that's all that's happened here. The tube came off, the stick is hitting the block/pan and you can't get it to seat that way. Go under the car and have a look. (SOtherwise, I'd take the tube off (the oil is below the tube mount in the block, so you won't lose oil) and see if the stick goes in the tube off the car. If it does, you have a mounting issue or there's something in the block that's gone wonky. An inspection camera or taking the oil pan off is the next step.
I therefore sincerely hope it's the tube's somehow got disconnected and you 'just' need to reconnect it. And then change the oil immediately because who knows what's gotten in the open cavity since that tube's come off. If that's what happened.
Just...
You're gonna have to get dirty though, looks like...
Last edited by houtex; Oct 16, 2020 at 10:48 AM.
Thread Starter
GT Member
Joined: November 12, 2014
Posts: 112
Likes: 4
I noticed something while looking into this situation today. I noticed if i insert the dipstick side with lettering facing me vs the lettering side away from me, i get different oil reading about 2mm difference.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post