HELP! Snapped handle oil dipstick.

[alpha13]

Well as my luck would have it. Went to check my oil on my 07 3.5 v6 and my dipstick handle snapped clean off about half an inch down inside the dipstick tube. Now on to the good part... how the hell do I get it out?.... I thought maybe drilling a tiny pilot hole and then getting a long screw or a tap and pulling it out. What do you guys think? Maybe heat up the tube a little for expansion? I wish I could snap a picture. Hell, maybe if it's easy enough to get the tube out itself and replace the tube and dipstick. But I havent looked into that yet. What do you guys think?

 

[Alaskan_TA]

Get one of the extension wand thingies with the small magnetic button on the end.

 

[mguner]

That happened on the 3.3 in my Intrepid a few years ago. Just drilled a small hole in what was left and pulled it out with a screw.

 

[alpha13]

Right on, so the screw idea should work then! Sweet. That's what I was hoping for.

 

[mguner]

Because of the way it is made it will probably push you off to one side but just be sure and use a small bit and you are fine.

 

[alpha13]

Yeah I think the plastic is molded around the dipstick itself. I wonder if there is a steel one out there. I will try to get it out tonight after work. I will post results.

 

[jdsduster]

That happened on the 3.3 in my Intrepid a few years ago. Just drilled a small hole in what was left and pulled it out with a screw.

exactly what i did.be carefull not to push it futher down the tube

 

[alpha13]

Drilled the hole, turned in the screw, took a bit of pulling, but out it came thank goodness. Turns out after I googled this problem after I got it out, it's common on these 3.5 engines. Also there is an aftermarket supplier that makes a billet dipstick handle. But the price difference is about twice as much as a plastic one. So I think I'm just going to buy the plastic one and take file to the plug part and mAke it few thousandths smaller to keep it from happening again. Thanks everyone who commented! I appreciate the help!

 

[Daves69]

Had to do this on an '08 Sebring. Drilled the plastic with a small bit and start a drywall screw.
Evidently the plastic expands over time and becomes a tight fit. Now I make sure to remove the O-ring and cleanup the plastic OD with a scotchbrite pad if it seems tight.

By the way, the OEM replacement dip stick came from a Chrysler dealer on Ebay. A whole 11 bucks shipped.