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Oil Dipstick Removal

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Old May 2, 2024 | 08:24 AM
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Default Oil Dipstick Removal

How tf do you remove the dipstick on a 01 C5? Every header install ive seen they just say “remove the dipstick” and never go into detail about it. I removed the top mounting bolt for it by the headers and it just wont pull out, not sure if im missing anything. Car is high milage so everything is hard to remove. Any advice?
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Old May 2, 2024 | 08:37 AM
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Its supposed to pull out I think but damn if I've ever had one that pulled right out and didn't get mangled. I tap and plug anyways for a trapdoor pan with its own dipstick
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Old May 2, 2024 | 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Kingtal0n
Its supposed to pull out I think but damn if I've ever had one that pulled right out and didn't get mangled. I tap and plug anyways for a trapdoor pan with its own dipstick
I read somewhere to use vicegrips and twist but it looks like mine is supperrr rusted onto the block
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Old May 2, 2024 | 01:41 PM
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Try spraying some PB Blaster where it enters the block.

Careful not to damage the tube - replacements can be difficult to locate and expensive!
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Old May 2, 2024 | 08:47 PM
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Maybe try some heat you know expand the block while cooling down the dipstick somehow maybe a can of CO2 upside down like a air duster can of CO2 cooling the dipstick and torching the block after a nice oil soaking penetration solution extended setting
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Old May 2, 2024 | 10:53 PM
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The block is aluminum, so it shouldn’t be rusty. Does it pivot at all?
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Old May 3, 2024 | 12:39 AM
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Originally Posted by vette4fl
The block is aluminum, so it shouldn’t be rusty. Does it pivot at all?
DIssimilar metals introduced a whole new level of possible corrosion and seizure. Aluminum definitely rusts just not the way that iron does and dissimilar metals can seize up spark plugs for example. But I never thought about whether there is a sleeve for the dripstick tube in aluminum blocks like there is for cylinders and some bolts. And we have no way to know whether there is some coating from the factory. Many variables. That is why the traditional methods of lubricate, heatings, working, tapping, etc... are basic
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Old May 3, 2024 | 01:16 AM
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Geez…

By definition, rust is an iron-oxide; aluminum can not rust. Oxidize, yes, but not rust.
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Old May 3, 2024 | 08:21 AM
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I consider the chemical processes which cause iron to oxidize also cause aluminum to oxidize the same process






If it combines with oxygen or loses electrons in a chemical balance I consider it as rusting and so do many

However this is not really important for our scope. What we are interested in is the behavior of metal materials around the engine, like dipstick and block in this case. And what sort of reactions could occur, natural or not, that influence behavior. Rusting or Oxidation is just one of the possibilities and both iron and aluminum will oxidize and fall apart 'rust apart' however you want to say it. And being dissimilar metals seems to increase the likely hood of unwanted reactions which I would think would more likely seize or stick the two metals together. Which is the opposite of what you suggested.
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Old May 3, 2024 | 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Kingtal0n
I consider the chemical processes which cause iron to oxidize also cause aluminum to oxidize the same process
Agreed on the statement above....past that, your wordy response is not correct, even with .."The Craftsman Blog" as a reference. By definition, chemical composition, engineering definition, etc.........aluminum does not rust. Rust is associated with Iron.

Kellanne Conway's 'alternate facts' does not apply here.
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Old May 3, 2024 | 08:43 PM
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Thats like saying water and fuel doesn't atomize. The word atom implies breaking apart H2O and into separate H and O but that is not how the word is used currently.

You are using the word the way YOU want to use it, and saying other uses of the word is wrong. Which is your opinion. Just like my opinion is that to atomize something is to turn it into atoms. And using it the other way that everybody else is using it is wrong.




Aluminum doesn't turn red and so the ruddy orange red color associated with the word rust doesn't fit. However again just as with the word atomize you could use rust to identify the act of oxidation in which case it does fit. Just like you can associate the breaking up of water into H2O as opposed to O's and H's isn't atomization but we still say atomize.

It is your pride and learned terminology combined with a lack of flexibility and world view that leads you to this erroneous thinking way. But that is typical of general humans without the necessary chemical perspective for biological and engineering processes.


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Old May 3, 2024 | 10:53 PM
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Scientific explanations aside, can we please get back to the original question posed by the OP - how can he get the dipstick removed from the engine. I'm sure he would appreciate any sage advice that can be provided. Thanks for your collective wisdom in helping the member.
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Old May 4, 2024 | 09:56 PM
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Twist as you pull is key. O-ring is probably petrified. You may need a new O-Ring depending. The O-Ring on my engine is orange and looks to be of the silicone variety. Little shot of PB blaster wont hurt anything either. Just pulled mine today, But I had it out last year.
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