what would prevent my oil dipstick from going back in?

Question

Its a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with 160,000 miles

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 160.000 miles. The dipsticks isnt bent, and I merely slid it out to check the oil and it wont go backin. Idont wanna apply too much pressure as to bend it.

I get it down about 3/4 of the way and its hitting something. The very end is pretty sludgy.

Answer 1

a piece of metal from the engine. or maybe the grime caked around the dipstick?

Answer 2

I'm not familiar with a Jeep, but the problem usually is the dipstick is bent out of shape. How long have you had the problem?
At the worst, the dip stick tube could be bent, but that's not likely.
Wipe the dipstick clean and take it into a NAPA store and see if they think it's out of shape. A new dip stick isn't very expensive - a few dollars at the most.

Answer 3

I've never seen a bent dipstick in all my life and i'm old as dirt.

You probably have it on the wrong angle. Make sure the flex of the dipstick is lined up with the curvature of the dipstick tube as you insert it, otherwise it will not bend inside that tube and go down into place.

The same thing goes for the transmission dipstick.

Make sure the tube has not been pulled up. I believe it sits on a ledge inside the hole it goes into, and your dipstick could be catching that ledge.

Answer 4

ok If the oil looks like choclate milk then you might have a cracked head or block and youre motor is no good. Also you cnat drive it with the dipstick out even a little because the oil will come out and that will ruin the motor. I would take it to a mechanic and get the motor looked at. But from what you are saying you either need to change the oil realy bad or the engine need changing.

Answer 5

A bend in the metal of the dipstick, perhaps?

Insert it back into its housing very slowly and carefully, and then once it's 7/8 of the way down, give it a push to ensure it's firmly seated.

If you can't, then there's probably an obstruction in the dipstick shaft.

Answer 6

The dipstick guardian that says "Before you can pass you must first answer these questions three". Heh..

Seriously, in my little experience dealing with this situation, I have found that by simply bringing it back up a little and turning it a little then trying again I was successful, although it took a few tries.

(The above was a reference to "Monty Python & the Quest for the Holy Grail")

Answer 7

if your hitting sludge your scrapping along the bottom of the oil pan. a.) you sure your re-inserting the right dipstick.
b.) is it possible the plug got relocated along the stock.
c) check to make sure the nipple where the stick slides in hasn't been pulled out.
d.) make sure your putting it back in the right hole. I've seen someone try to insert a engine oil dipstick in a tranny fluid check location before.

Answer 8

it could also be a slightly kinked dipstick that is long. Repeated pressure trying to put it back in can bend them slightly

Answer 9

it is possible, although not likley it could be the wrong dipstick, or the dipstick tube may be loose from the motor

Answer 10

maybe the dipstick is bent or turned the wrong direction