• 5 ways to remove a broken dipstick in your Nissan Sentra (or any car)...

    FYI: To leave a comment, just create an account and the comment field will show up. I would love to hear if these ideas worked for you.

    I should preface this article by saying, first of all, that it has nothing to do with home networks besides the Rockford Fosgate OmniFi we have in the car. Next I should mention that whomever at Nissan decided that putting a plastic topped dipstick between the runners of an exhaust manifold of the Sentra should have their ass kicked.

    Anyway, need to check the oil on Miss HomeNetworkEnabled's car sometime so that dipstick had to come out. A quick check of the internet revelaled several options, all but one of which I tried.


    1) The super glue on a chopstick/pencil trick
    2) Vacuum and ziploc bag
    3) Compressed air in the crankcase breather
    4) Pulling the pressed-in dipstick tube and tapping it back in with a hammer (gently)
    5) Pulling the oil pan


    So here it should be, but it isn't.. the dipstick is deep in the tube...





    Time for the chopstick/pencil and super glue trick. Dab some super glue on the end of the chopstick and run it down the middle of the dipstick tube until it rests on the plastic dipstick pieces that remain. Wait until it dries and then pull it out...


    This would have worked great, except someone before me had tried cranking on the dipstick tube and crushed it one spot... so I got it within a half inch of coming out, but the tube narrowed too much there... time for plan B...

    So I put a rubber band around the dipstick tube and then one around the carwash vacuum with a ziploc bag connecting them... it had great suction, but then the vacuum sucked the ziploc up the tube... so then I crushed the vacuum around the dipstick tube... No dice, again the tube being slightly crushed prevented it from coming out.. time for plan C....




    Here I am corrupting America's youth...


    I thought this one might be fun... put compressed air in the crankcase breather and the o-ring seal of the dipstick launches the dipstick 50 feet in the air, according to reports of others... At this point some explosions and destruction were much needed to keep my sense of humor... Unfortunately, because of the kink in the tube again all it did was make oil come out of the leak in the valve cover gasket.

    So the final plan was to pull the pressed-in dipstick tube and get the dipstick out that way... Beware, find a screwdriver that fits the dipstick tube exactly or you will crush the tube. Put the screwdriver in the tube and then wiggle and pull with a visegrip until it unseats from the block. The tube extends a good two inches in to the block. The dipstick won't come out the bottom because of the taper so now you will have to fix any kinks or narrowing in the tube. When done, gently tap it back in with a hammer, liberal amounts of oil is a good idea.

    Once out, I decided I would make a dipstick insulator to try and prevent this in the future. I might also "kink" the dipstick tube just below the dipstick so if/when it does break again it won't drop far. Below is a DSM spark plug boot... Twist, pull, cut, etc until you get the wire and lead out, then hacksaw a perfect dipstick heat boot...


    Who knows if it will work, but I like the theory....





    Special thanks to this site for the ideas and inspiration.
    Comments 62 Comments
    1. Scott DeLeeuw's Avatar
      Scott DeLeeuw -
      Anonymous said...Got the first try. Used Gorilla super glue to the end of a rubber tube. The rubber seems to bond better with the plastic and it pulled right out.
      November 14, 2010 11:58 AM
    1. Scott DeLeeuw's Avatar
      Scott DeLeeuw -
      Anonymous said...The plastic oil stick snapped on my Wife's '02 Toyota Yaris after recent cold weather down to -8 cent here in Wales UK.

      It broke about 60mm into the tube but with no top to hold it in place the stick part in the engine dropped until it hit the bottom of the oil pan, so that the broken part was visible approx 125mm down the stick tube.


      The magnet trick failed as dipstick is all plastic.

      The glue and stick method looked promising but glue failed after lifting the stick about 5mm.

      So here is how I got it out....

      take a fine spring out of a push top biro pen and attach some strong fine thread to it about 300mm long (this will only act as a back up for removal of spring later if method fails). Then place a long screwdriver half way inside the spring and secure to screwdriver with insulation tape running about 50mm along the screwdriver blade. Stretch open the end of the spring slightly and angle the start of it to about 45 degrees. In cross section, the end of the spring would be slightly conical with the end still small enough to fit in the oil tube.

      Now lightly lower the spring into the oil tube by holding the handle of screwdriver being sure to keep hold of the thread in case spring comes off end of screwdriver.
      when the spring reaches the top of the broken dipstick, apply light downward pressure until spring compresses slightly then start to turn as if screwing spring on to top of dipstick. MINE CAME OFF AT FIRST ATTEMPT with only one and a half turns of the spring applied!!!!Spring should be fine enough to get between dipstick and inside of tube. Look down the tube with a torch to see if their is space enough for this before starting. This cheap fix worked for me without need to drop the oil pan, so good luck!!!!!
      December 30, 2010 1:41 PM
    1. Scott DeLeeuw's Avatar
      Scott DeLeeuw -
      hueyco said...The original super glue on the end of a new pencil worked for me, let it set 5-10 minutes and this cheap solution worked the first time. It broke off from last oil change 2 months ago and finally got around to try and get it out and now proud owner of new $14 Nissan oil dipstick.
      February 22, 2011 8:20 PM
    1. Scott DeLeeuw's Avatar
      Scott DeLeeuw -
      Anonymous said...This just happened on my 2001 Sentra. I had no luck with the super glue and pencil method and next tried the shop vac. This got the broken dipstick within an inch of the tube opening, but never any farther. This is when I discovered that the last inch of the tube has a slightly smaller inside diameter. I used a rat-tail file and rolled up sandpaper to bore it to match the rest of the tube. I tried the shop vac again and sucked it right out. Thanks for the great ideas.
      April 10, 2011 11:37 AM
    1. Scott DeLeeuw's Avatar
      Scott DeLeeuw -
      Anonymous said...I just used the pencil and superglue on my 2002 sentra and got the broken dip stick out, thanks for the tip, this is the 2nd time this has happened, I don't plan on buying another nissan
      April 29, 2011 5:29 PM
    1. Scott DeLeeuw's Avatar
      Scott DeLeeuw -
      ewhite1978 said...This is a great post. Thank you so much for starting this. I had the same problem with my 2003 Sentra. I removed an old TV antenna rabbit ear from the console. It extended down the tube and I was able to fish out the dipstick. What a terrible design...
      May 2, 2011 2:59 PM
    1. Scott DeLeeuw's Avatar
      Scott DeLeeuw -
      Anonymous said...The super glue and pencil worked great on my 2006 Chysler 300. Thank you all for the advice.
      July 8, 2011 10:56 AM
    1. Scott DeLeeuw's Avatar
      Scott DeLeeuw -
      Anonymous said...2002 Sentra 1.8L

      I used the compressed air method and it worked great. Thanks for the webpage on this. I had envisioned dropping the oil pan and running into multiple issues.

      120psi through the PCV hose with a rubber tipped blower and BAM!, 20 feet in the air.
      July 28, 2011 4:38 PM
    1. Scott DeLeeuw's Avatar
      Scott DeLeeuw -
      Anonymous said...was just under my 2000 Sentra tightening bolts looking for leaks and changing oil...

      2nd dipstick broke last year and I just didn't have $$$ to fix it...so it just stayed like that...I'd add a quart every so often with no probs, but started hearing loud clicking noise so thought it was about time..

      checked out this page after MUCH searching and quite happy to see all the suggestions, can't wait to try one (hopefully the first will do it).

      Zuice
      August 28, 2011 10:06 AM
    1. Scott DeLeeuw's Avatar
      Scott DeLeeuw -
      Anonymous said...Zuice again,

      tried superglue 6 times...no joy... probably had something to do with fact that it was exposed to oil/fumes for so long and/or it was broken off irregularly.

      considered sliding 3/8 inch flexible tubing all the way to point of contact with broken part, THEN sucking/shopvac and pulling...but...

      tried the compressed air into pcv valve inlet. Oil was drained so maybe needed that in it... THEN, tried air into inlet from air filter, put my finger over diptick tube and BLAMMO... like a charm

      Oh, as said before, DO NOT mess up the tube end, there's an O-ring on it and that will get break over time.
      August 31, 2011 8:21 AM
    1. Scott DeLeeuw's Avatar
      Scott DeLeeuw -
      okie said...I hooked shop air to valve cover breather tube. It shot right out, 2 seconds. Wow.
      September 5, 2011 10:20 AM
    1. Scott DeLeeuw's Avatar
      Scott DeLeeuw -
      Don L. said...You guys are right on. So glad you shared your knowledge and so angry that the Nissan Sentra has had this problem for such a long time. Obviously the Nissan people know and enhjoy bilking the customer. Tried the glue with wooden skewer. No luck. Got a portable air tank filled it up with air to 90 psi. Got air to come out dipstick tube. Got another tank of air..remembered some one saying put finger over tube to build up pressure..Wow out splatered an ounce of oil and I didnt even see the dip stick go. I found it in Neighbors yard. Auto Zone has a Universal dipstick for $6.99. It has a metal collar with screw to adjust length to 17 inches or whatever full is. I changed oil and measured carefully, then adjusted metal color for depth to full line. Saved a bundle...I could hear the dealer now. "well I got some bad news..blah. blah blah...
      November 28, 2011 12:38 PM
    1. Scott DeLeeuw's Avatar
      Scott DeLeeuw -
      Don L. said...You guys saved me a bundle. Glue didnt work. Filled up portable air tank to 90 psi. Lossend hose on drivers side valve cover,. Put in air. felt it rush out dipstick tube. Got another refill of air. Remembered trick to cover dipstick tube with finger and let pressure build up..Holy cow!! Removed finger and about OZ of oil splattered out. I didnt even see dipstick go. Picked it up in neighbors yard. I too am angry at Nissan knowing the Sentra had this problem as there is an easy fix to all metal dipstick. I went to Auto Zone they have universal dipstick. Has collar you adjust for your vehicle then tighten screw to hold collar at correct full level. I changed oil and flter and measured very carefully, then inserted and adjusted NEW ALL METAL dip stick
      November 28, 2011 12:43 PM
    1. Michel's Avatar
      Michel -
      I use a dental pick tool like this :
      http://www.princessauto.com/pal/prod...ental-Tool-Kit
      It took me 1 minute and it worked.

      I didn’t try the vacuum way but Nissan published a Technical Service Bulletin ( TSB ) called :
      “NTB04-140 Engine oil dipstick broken”
      They explain how to use the vacuum method. Very well explained with pictures. It is possible to have a free copy of that document at this adress:
      http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/Knowl...id=291&doit=Go
      You have to register but it is free.
      “A "TSB" is an alert from the manufacturer for your model that advises a dealer's repair shop of a reported problem that many owners of the same model are experiencing and verifies the recommended "fix" for that particular problem”
      http://www.lemonlaws.info/Recall-Bulletin.aspx

      In that TSB Nissan tell the garage that it should take 12 minutes to do that job…
    1. David Duling's Avatar
      David Duling -
      ditto. we tried force air in and vacuum out, but resorted to removing the tube. it took about 2 hours. all good now. ALERT: shop said they would have to remove the oil pan at $315. forget that. diy.
    1. mitch's Avatar
      mitch -
      here is a whole new way to get it out. spray w-d 40 down dip stick hole. I bought a tool from hardware store called a 24 inch pick up tool. it is a long spring loaded tool. you stick it down hole open it up and grab ahold of broken oil stick. twist very slow and it will grab it. pull up slow. it may take a few times . took no longer then a few times to pull it right out, the tool cost $3.97. and I tried only this and it rocked! let me know if this ever helps anyone. I was stoked it work so fast
    1. Scott DeLeeuw's Avatar
      Scott DeLeeuw -
      Good tip on the pick up tool. I think I tried one of those, but someone else had bent the top of my tube in their attempt. It's amazing how many views this article still gets...
    1. billmac1's Avatar
      billmac1 -
      Stunned, but the crazy glue & chopstick worked on the 2nd attempt. My first attempt I tried to retrieve it after a few minutes. My second attempt I let the glue dry for @90 minutes while I had dinner.

      In my case, I'd purchased a new dipstick 2 months ago, but the wider plastic section of the top must have melted or broken off. Nice. The rest of the dipstick was 6 inches inside the tube.

      Simple Google search led me here. Total time expended to retrieve? 4+ minutes - 4 minutes for the 1st attempt, 20 seconds on the second.

      Thanks.
    1. sara's Avatar
      sara -
      These tips totally saved me a trip to the mechanic! I started my car, and it made a weird noise. When my fiance looked under the hood, he asked me where my dipstick was. I told him I didn't know, and he thought the last time I got an oil change, maybe they forgot to put the dipstick back. We went to Autozone to buy some oil and a new dipstick. When my fiance tried to put the new dipstick in, it wouldn't go in! He's a strong guy, so I thought that was kind of weird. I looked up "Can't get the dipstick back in" on Google, and found the recommendations to twist it. I could see he was doing that, but when I added "Nissan Sentra" to the search, your site came up! We tried the vacuum trick first, but that didn't work. Then we tried using the air compressor, and that totally worked! It turned out that the little bit of plastic at the top had slid down the dipstick, wedging it in really tight, and trying to jam the new dipstick in probably didn't really help.

      We ended up doing this at around midnight, and my fiance put a blue paper shop towel over the dipstick tube, thinking since we were doing this at night, we'd be able to tell if the dipstick flew out, because it would tear the paper. He put his finger over the towel to create the pressure. As it turns out, the shop towel slowed down the velocity of the dipstick, and it poked through the paper towel about an inch. He then grabbed it and pulled it out.
    1. dimebug's Avatar
      dimebug -
      Hello, in case it might help somebody I give my experience of our epic fight with the broken dipstick (Nissan Sentra 2002). Pardon me my English I'm not a native. The dipstick broke into the plastic part so there still was the plastic on it.

      We tried the glue, vacuum, compressor, hooks, magnet etc ... and nothing worked. Worse, we ended up with the dipstick completely stuck deep into the tube and out of sight. We were ready to go to the mechanic and pay 300$ ...
      But this technique worked : I used a long and thin drill to drill through the plastic, then I was able to go throught the plastic with a hook made of a thin metallic wire. The hook grabbed the thing and I was able to remove this damn dipstick.

      It is not a very clean way since some plastic stayed into the oil and tube, but it worked. Thank you to the author of this topic for all the tips, it was a great help !
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