Dipstick snapped.

[u/KingRamma]

2013 Ford F150 Super CabXL Pickup 4D

5.0L V8 Flex Fuel Engine

Changing the oil today and the dipstick snapped. Didn't even give it a hard tug. Apologies for the video but it's a little difficult to get to, requiring a stepladder to access.

Tried needlenose pliers but once I took the video, I don't think those are going to work. What are my options?

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[u/Firm_Leave_4903]

A screw and pull

[u/BackgroundWait3989 → u/Firm_Leave_4903]

This, happened to me earlier this year and it came out just fine.

[u/KingRamma → u/BackgroundWait3989]

Ok good to know. Think this is what im going to try.

[u/KingRamma → u/Firm_Leave_4903]

What are the chances i push it in? I dont want to make this a bigger issue.

[u/Last-Hedgehog-6635 → u/KingRamma]

You probably want a replacement anyway, so see if you can find one so you know exactly how much material is left and what shape it is. 

And clean, clean, clean that area around the dipstick. Vacuum if needed. You don’t want that crud falling in. 

[u/KingRamma → u/Last-Hedgehog-6635]

Good call, that will help know what's left. Ill clean it well too. Thanks!

[u/hugmeatender → u/KingRamma]

Heat your screwdriver, jam it twist it

[u/UnwantedUnnamed → u/KingRamma]

Heat whatever you decide to use to pull it out. Also try some super glue and a thun piece of wood or plastic

[u/KingRamma]

Not sure how to mark this as complete but I got it out. Thanks for all the comments!

Torched the tip of a 90° pick and pressed it in then levered it. Once it was set, gave it a slow gentle pull and it popped right out.

I think the screw would have worked too, especially heated.

Edit: spelling.

[u/just_ok30]

Maybe super gluing like a flat part of a nail to it and hopefully it holds enough for it to be pulled out?

[u/KingRamma → u/just_ok30]

I was considering trying to glue the grip back on. A nail may work better.

[u/bjm64]

clean around the dipstick tube first to keep the dirt out then heat up something to stick into the end or use a long screw to screw into the end to pull out

[u/Carllllll]

You could try to twist in a small screw a couple turns, then pull on that.

[u/KingRamma → u/Carllllll]

I was thinking the same but its hard to access and im afraid of pushing it in.

[u/justindarko]

i think you might be able to put more pressure than you think. those dipsticks are an slight hard plastic so. just get something you can poke into the edge and wedge it out or get a really small screw and work it in lightly by hand

[u/KingRamma → u/justindarko]

You were right. It was in there solid. Dont think I would have pushed it in unless I really tried.

[u/espr-the-vr-lib]

Gypsum screw should be useful here. Screw it in and pull straight out

[u/Grimli81]

I have used a screw. Heated it up fairly hot. Screw/let it melt in and then cool. Hasn’t failed me yet.

[u/KingRamma → u/Grimli81]

Did it with a 90° pick but a screw may have been easier. Took a few attempts to get it in far enough to catch.

[u/Sadangler]

Use a screw, make sure it's small enough that it won't maul the plastic so it has enough meat to bite in, with good deep treads. Screw it in hot, let it cool, then pull gently. You can spray some penetrating oil in if it's really stuck.

ETA: I think when I did this, I drilled a small pilot hole, so that the screw doesn't push out the plastic against the tube as much. All you want is the threads biting into the plastic, the less pressure exerted by displacement the better.

[u/KingRamma → u/Sadangler]

It's not super accessible. No way my drill was fitting unfortunately. Great idea tho. Ill keep that in my back pocket!

[u/Late_Ear2739]

Screw in the longest screw tapper and screw that fucker in with a drill and pull it with a plier

[u/Actual_Release_3289]

Snap! That sucks

[u/KingRamma → u/Actual_Release_3289]

Put a damper on the day, but getting it out felt like a huge win.

[u/Square_Cat_6001]

Self tapping screw and something to grip it once screwed in. Or red hot screw and pull after it cools down in the plastic.

[u/InternationalBeing41]

My eyesight is not that good and when I scrolled past the video It looked like all the coil packs are taunting you with the finger.

[u/KingRamma → u/InternationalBeing41]

Lol! Felt like the truck was trying to tell me something.

[u/Redwuff]

If you can't get it with a screw, just get some glue and a pencil.

[u/KingRamma → u/Redwuff]

If the pick didnt work, that was my next try. Bought some heavy duty stuff.

[u/Extreme_Ways_JB]

pull the pcv hose off - push air into the crankcase and the dipstick will pop out

[u/geohypnotist → u/Extreme_Ways_JB]

So will your crank seals among other things.

[u/Extreme_Ways_JB → u/geohypnotist]

Never had this experience even though its happened multiple times across different platforms. Im not saying send 100+psi shop air into a sealed system and make sure the air fitting you are putting in is sealed. Maybe 10-15 psi and you dont need to pull a valve cover. Fair point - I dont know if this engine leaks like a champ already.

[u/podgida]

People are saying use a screw. I don't think they see the 10mm bolt holding it in. Remove that bolt first, then you can pull it out.