has anyone else had a problem with the oil dipstick rusting to the point of breaking? I had this happen twice

Asked by tallboy41 Jan 19, 2007 at 06:23 PM about the 1996 Dodge RAM 1500

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

1996 dodge ram 1500 4x4 318 engine

7 Answers

The oil dipstick could be rusting because the oil is contaminated. I would change your oil. If your oil dipstick has rusted twice I would also be concerned about your engine. Make sure there are no metal flakes, etc. Read the following article that I linked for more information on what I am talking about. http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:bII6VUORun0J:www.nafa.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Resource_Center/Publications1/Fleet_Executive/20032/July_2003/july_2003_final.pdf+problem+with+the+oil+dipstick+rusting+to+the+point+of+breaking+on+their+dodge&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=10&client=firefox-a then click on the pdf link to read about oil contamination.

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I've had the exact same problem, same engine, 2wd, don't know the cause

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I think these trucks get a lot of splash up under the hood. The engine in mine is rustier than any other truck I've had. I've not had a dipstick problem but then I keep it pretty clean under there as a maintenance function. If the problem is at handle of the stick above the tube, there are a number of products on the market like Duro Extent that you can use to coat problematic parts that don't get super hot (like the exhaust manifolds). Squirt the top of the stick with this stuff at first sign of rust and you will eliminate the problem. Now, if the problem is on the part of the stick inside the tube, refer to the moisture in the oil topics! If that's the case you need to take some longer trips to get the oil heated up and boil the moisture out! Also you must change your oil every three months if your vehicle is only used for short trips w/o exception or relative to mileage unless you get it out every week or so for 20-30 highway miles!

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