1991 Ford Explorer Dipstick Breaks

I have this explorer that keeps breaking the dipstick when I put it in the
motor. I've replaced the tube and the dipstick both but it keeps breaking.
Right on the tip like its twisting off. Anyone ever had this problem know
what to do about it? I seem to recall newer 4.0l motors had a dipstick that
was more round instead of the flat design. Am I remembering correctly and
will one work in my '91 4.0l? thanks in advance.

That's the most bizzare problem I've heard of. I had a 1992 Ranger 4.0 and
had no problem.

Are you letting the the dipstick rotate as it goes down the tube? The only
possible explanation that I can think of is that you're forcing it in
without allowing it to rotate.

CJB

"EJB" > wrote in message
t...
>I have this explorer that keeps breaking the dipstick when I put it in the
>motor. I've replaced the tube and the dipstick both but it keeps breaking.
>Right on the tip like its twisting off. Anyone ever had this problem know
>what to do about it? I seem to recall newer 4.0l motors had a dipstick
>that was more round instead of the flat design. Am I remembering correctly
>and will one work in my '91 4.0l? thanks in advance.
>

It is the most bizarre problem. I've been letting it rotate as it goes in,
it has never been great about going in, but it would go. This morning it
was rather chilly (in the 30's) I checked the oil, I went to put the
dipstick back in the motor and snap. It broke the second dipstick in about
3 months. This vehicle has plagued me with all sorts of bad luck, this one
just tops the cake.
Do you know of another dipstick design that may have been used a little
later that might remedy this? or any other suggestons? Thanks.


"CJB" > wrote in message
news:SX1vd.3158$Zn6.2911@trnddc08...
> That's the most bizzare problem I've heard of. I had a 1992 Ranger 4.0
> and had no problem.
>
> Are you letting the the dipstick rotate as it goes down the tube? The
> only possible explanation that I can think of is that you're forcing it in
> without allowing it to rotate.
>
> CJB
>
> "EJB" > wrote in message
> t...
>>I have this explorer that keeps breaking the dipstick when I put it in the
>>motor. I've replaced the tube and the dipstick both but it keeps
>>breaking. Right on the tip like its twisting off. Anyone ever had this
>>problem know what to do about it? I seem to recall newer 4.0l motors had
>>a dipstick that was more round instead of the flat design. Am I
>>remembering correctly and will one work in my '91 4.0l? thanks in
>>advance.
>>
>
>

Exactly where is the thing breaking?
bottom top
If this.. --X----------------x--|-- was your dipstick,
is it breaking at the X or the x


On Sun, 12 Dec 2004 19:03:52 -0500, "EJB" > wrote:

>It is the most bizarre problem. I've been letting it rotate as it goes in,
>it has never been great about going in, but it would go. This morning it
>was rather chilly (in the 30's) I checked the oil, I went to put the
>dipstick back in the motor and snap. It broke the second dipstick in about
>3 months. This vehicle has plagued me with all sorts of bad luck, this one
>just tops the cake.
>Do you know of another dipstick design that may have been used a little
>later that might remedy this? or any other suggestons? Thanks.
>
>
>"CJB" > wrote in message
>news:SX1vd.3158$Zn6.2911@trnddc08...
>> That's the most bizzare problem I've heard of. I had a 1992 Ranger 4.0
>> and had no problem.
>>
>> Are you letting the the dipstick rotate as it goes down the tube? The
>> only possible explanation that I can think of is that you're forcing it in
>> without allowing it to rotate.
>>
>> CJB
>>
>> "EJB" > wrote in message
>> t...
>>>I have this explorer that keeps breaking the dipstick when I put it in the
>>>motor. I've replaced the tube and the dipstick both but it keeps
>>>breaking. Right on the tip like its twisting off. Anyone ever had this
>>>problem know what to do about it? I seem to recall newer 4.0l motors had
>>>a dipstick that was more round instead of the flat design. Am I
>>>remembering correctly and will one work in my '91 4.0l? thanks in
>>>advance.
>>>
>>
>>
>

--
Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts:

"What, sir, is the use of militia? It is to prevent the
establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty. . .
Whenever Government means to invade the rights and liberties of
the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order
to raise a standing army upon its ruins." -- Debate, U.S. House
of Representatives, August 17, 1789

It is breaking exactly at the full mark on each stick. Right above the
full mark on the second L on the dipstick.

"AZGuy" > wrote in message
...
> Exactly where is the thing breaking?
> bottom top
> If this.. --X----------------x--|-- was your dipstick,
> is it breaking at the X or the x
>
>
> On Sun, 12 Dec 2004 19:03:52 -0500, "EJB" > wrote:
>
>>It is the most bizarre problem. I've been letting it rotate as it goes
>>in,
>>it has never been great about going in, but it would go. This morning it
>>was rather chilly (in the 30's) I checked the oil, I went to put the
>>dipstick back in the motor and snap. It broke the second dipstick in
>>about
>>3 months. This vehicle has plagued me with all sorts of bad luck, this
>>one
>>just tops the cake.
>>Do you know of another dipstick design that may have been used a little
>>later that might remedy this? or any other suggestons? Thanks.
>>
>>
>>"CJB" > wrote in message
>>news:SX1vd.3158$Zn6.2911@trnddc08...
>>> That's the most bizzare problem I've heard of. I had a 1992 Ranger 4.0
>>> and had no problem.
>>>
>>> Are you letting the the dipstick rotate as it goes down the tube? The
>>> only possible explanation that I can think of is that you're forcing it
>>> in
>>> without allowing it to rotate.
>>>
>>> CJB
>>>
>>> "EJB" > wrote in message
>>> t...
>>>>I have this explorer that keeps breaking the dipstick when I put it in
>>>>the
>>>>motor. I've replaced the tube and the dipstick both but it keeps
>>>>breaking. Right on the tip like its twisting off. Anyone ever had this
>>>>problem know what to do about it? I seem to recall newer 4.0l motors
>>>>had
>>>>a dipstick that was more round instead of the flat design. Am I
>>>>remembering correctly and will one work in my '91 4.0l? thanks in
>>>>advance.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
> --
> Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts:
>
> "What, sir, is the use of militia? It is to prevent the
> establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty. . .
> Whenever Government means to invade the rights and liberties of
> the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order
> to raise a standing army upon its ruins." -- Debate, U.S. House
> of Representatives, August 17, 1789

Well, here's my guess....

The only thing I can think of that would make it break is that it's
being hit by a connecting rod and it breaks at the weakest spot ,which
is where that fill line is scribed on it. As to why it's being
hit...hmm. My memory may be wrong but I think I've seen some engines
where there is a dipstick tube that extends down into the engine to
make sure the dipstick is kept away from the moving parts. Perhaps
there are two separate dipstick tubes, one on the outside, the one you
have replaced, and one on the inside, which has perhaps simply fallen
out and is laying in the oil pan. So now when you stick the dipstick
in it's just flopping around inside the engine and getting hit.

Or if there is just one tube that extends from outside the engine to
inside is it curved in anyway on the lower part so that you have a
choice of how it's "aimed" on the inside?

Before the tip breaks off have you noticed any marks on the end of the
dipstick indicating something is hitting it?


On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 02:50:50 -0500, "EJB" > wrote:

>It is breaking exactly at the full mark on each stick. Right above the
>full mark on the second L on the dipstick.
>
>"AZGuy" > wrote in message
.. .
>> Exactly where is the thing breaking?
>> bottom top
>> If this.. --X----------------x--|-- was your dipstick,
>> is it breaking at the X or the x
>>
>>
>> On Sun, 12 Dec 2004 19:03:52 -0500, "EJB" > wrote:
>>
>>>It is the most bizarre problem. I've been letting it rotate as it goes
>>>in,
>>>it has never been great about going in, but it would go. This morning it
>>>was rather chilly (in the 30's) I checked the oil, I went to put the
>>>dipstick back in the motor and snap. It broke the second dipstick in
>>>about
>>>3 months. This vehicle has plagued me with all sorts of bad luck, this
>>>one
>>>just tops the cake.
>>>Do you know of another dipstick design that may have been used a little
>>>later that might remedy this? or any other suggestons? Thanks.
>>>
>>>
>>>"CJB" > wrote in message
>>>news:SX1vd.3158$Zn6.2911@trnddc08...
>>>> That's the most bizzare problem I've heard of. I had a 1992 Ranger 4.0
>>>> and had no problem.
>>>>
>>>> Are you letting the the dipstick rotate as it goes down the tube? The
>>>> only possible explanation that I can think of is that you're forcing it
>>>> in
>>>> without allowing it to rotate.
>>>>
>>>> CJB
>>>>
>>>> "EJB" > wrote in message
>>>> t...
>>>>>I have this explorer that keeps breaking the dipstick when I put it in
>>>>>the
>>>>>motor. I've replaced the tube and the dipstick both but it keeps
>>>>>breaking. Right on the tip like its twisting off. Anyone ever had this
>>>>>problem know what to do about it? I seem to recall newer 4.0l motors
>>>>>had
>>>>>a dipstick that was more round instead of the flat design. Am I
>>>>>remembering correctly and will one work in my '91 4.0l? thanks in
>>>>>advance.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>> Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts:
>>
>> "What, sir, is the use of militia? It is to prevent the
>> establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty. . .
>> Whenever Government means to invade the rights and liberties of
>> the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order
>> to raise a standing army upon its ruins." -- Debate, U.S. House
>> of Representatives, August 17, 1789
>

--
Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts:

"What, sir, is the use of militia? It is to prevent the
establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty. . .
Whenever Government means to invade the rights and liberties of
the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order
to raise a standing army upon its ruins." -- Debate, U.S. House
of Representatives, August 17, 1789

I thought something along them lines, so I was keeping a close check on the
dipstick, I never seen any marking to indicate it was being hit, and I never
felt any sort of vibrations coming through it when I would touch the handle
end while the motor was running. As far as hitting a connecting rod and
causing it to break the dipstick has always broken with the motor turned
off. I would just be pushing it in and snap.
Very weird.

"AZGuy" > wrote in message
...
> Well, here's my guess....
>
> The only thing I can think of that would make it break is that it's
> being hit by a connecting rod and it breaks at the weakest spot ,which
> is where that fill line is scribed on it. As to why it's being
> hit...hmm. My memory may be wrong but I think I've seen some engines
> where there is a dipstick tube that extends down into the engine to
> make sure the dipstick is kept away from the moving parts. Perhaps
> there are two separate dipstick tubes, one on the outside, the one you
> have replaced, and one on the inside, which has perhaps simply fallen
> out and is laying in the oil pan. So now when you stick the dipstick
> in it's just flopping around inside the engine and getting hit.
>
> Or if there is just one tube that extends from outside the engine to
> inside is it curved in anyway on the lower part so that you have a
> choice of how it's "aimed" on the inside?
>
> Before the tip breaks off have you noticed any marks on the end of the
> dipstick indicating something is hitting it?
>
>
> On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 02:50:50 -0500, "EJB" > wrote:
>
>>It is breaking exactly at the full mark on each stick. Right above the
>>full mark on the second L on the dipstick.
>>
>>"AZGuy" > wrote in message
. ..
>>> Exactly where is the thing breaking?
>>> bottom top
>>> If this.. --X----------------x--|-- was your dipstick,
>>> is it breaking at the X or the x
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sun, 12 Dec 2004 19:03:52 -0500, "EJB" > wrote:
>>>
>>>>It is the most bizarre problem. I've been letting it rotate as it goes
>>>>in,
>>>>it has never been great about going in, but it would go. This morning
>>>>it
>>>>was rather chilly (in the 30's) I checked the oil, I went to put the
>>>>dipstick back in the motor and snap. It broke the second dipstick in
>>>>about
>>>>3 months. This vehicle has plagued me with all sorts of bad luck, this
>>>>one
>>>>just tops the cake.
>>>>Do you know of another dipstick design that may have been used a little
>>>>later that might remedy this? or any other suggestons? Thanks.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>"CJB" > wrote in message
>>>>news:SX1vd.3158$Zn6.2911@trnddc08...
>>>>> That's the most bizzare problem I've heard of. I had a 1992 Ranger
>>>>> 4.0
>>>>> and had no problem.
>>>>>
>>>>> Are you letting the the dipstick rotate as it goes down the tube? The
>>>>> only possible explanation that I can think of is that you're forcing
>>>>> it
>>>>> in
>>>>> without allowing it to rotate.
>>>>>
>>>>> CJB
>>>>>
>>>>> "EJB" > wrote in message
>>>>> t...
>>>>>>I have this explorer that keeps breaking the dipstick when I put it in
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>motor. I've replaced the tube and the dipstick both but it keeps
>>>>>>breaking. Right on the tip like its twisting off. Anyone ever had
>>>>>>this
>>>>>>problem know what to do about it? I seem to recall newer 4.0l motors
>>>>>>had
>>>>>>a dipstick that was more round instead of the flat design. Am I
>>>>>>remembering correctly and will one work in my '91 4.0l? thanks in
>>>>>>advance.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts:
>>>
>>> "What, sir, is the use of militia? It is to prevent the
>>> establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty. . .
>>> Whenever Government means to invade the rights and liberties of
>>> the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order
>>> to raise a standing army upon its ruins." -- Debate, U.S. House
>>> of Representatives, August 17, 1789
>>
>
> --
> Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts:
>
> "What, sir, is the use of militia? It is to prevent the
> establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty. . .
> Whenever Government means to invade the rights and liberties of
> the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order
> to raise a standing army upon its ruins." -- Debate, U.S. House
> of Representatives, August 17, 1789

EJB wrote:

> I thought something along them lines, so I was keeping a close check on
> the dipstick, I never seen any marking to indicate it was being hit, and I
> never felt any sort of vibrations coming through it when I would touch the
> handle
> end while the motor was running. As far as hitting a connecting rod and
> causing it to break the dipstick has always broken with the motor turned
> off. I would just be pushing it in and snap.
> Very weird.
>
Just where are the broken off ends??
Just to pose another problem, they aren't still in the sump, are they?
--
Jack
Giving up the right to arms is a mistake a free people get to make only
once. I will not make that mistake.

EJB wrote:
> I thought something along them lines, so I was keeping a close check on the
> dipstick, I never seen any marking to indicate it was being hit, and I never
> felt any sort of vibrations coming through it when I would touch the handle
> end while the motor was running. As far as hitting a connecting rod and
> causing it to break the dipstick has always broken with the motor turned
> off. I would just be pushing it in and snap.
> Very weird.

A tool and die maker often design products with an indent in some area
if they wish it to break during assembly or so it can be adjusted for use.

I suspect that the bottom of your dipstick (for whatever reason) is
being torqued (bent but not broken) when in place. The constant
pressure and changing temperatures weaken it until it just snaps. I
would try polishing it (the replacement) till it shines, clean it with
acetone and then color it with something very light (dykem would be
ideal) and push it in and out while the engine is off, and cold. Then
check for marks on the dipstick.

Maybe you could adapt one of those later model dipsticks that are made
of cable.

Thanks, I'll try that when I get a replacement, I'm going to pick up a
newer one that is made of some sort of cable and see whats up. The motor
has been replaced long before I got ahold of the truck, so its kind of like
playing Dr Frankenstein right now.

Thanks for the tip about blueing it and see where it is hitting, definitely
worth checking out.

"F.H." > wrote in message
news:ISmvd.6835$xa6.2758@trnddc09...
> EJB wrote:
>> I thought something along them lines, so I was keeping a close check on
>> the dipstick, I never seen any marking to indicate it was being hit, and
>> I never felt any sort of vibrations coming through it when I would touch
>> the handle end while the motor was running. As far as hitting a
>> connecting rod and causing it to break the dipstick has always broken
>> with the motor turned off. I would just be pushing it in and snap.
>> Very weird.
>
> A tool and die maker often design products with an indent in some area if
> they wish it to break during assembly or so it can be adjusted for use.
>
> I suspect that the bottom of your dipstick (for whatever reason) is being
> torqued (bent but not broken) when in place. The constant pressure and
> changing temperatures weaken it until it just snaps. I would try
> polishing it (the replacement) till it shines, clean it with acetone and
> then color it with something very light (dykem would be ideal) and push it
> in and out while the engine is off, and cold. Then check for marks on the
> dipstick.
>
> Maybe you could adapt one of those later model dipsticks that are made of
> cable.