After getting the oil changed, make sure you check the dipstick and insure that the guys (or gals) got the dipstick fully seated after they do their post-start-up check of the oil.

This is the second or third time it has happened to me, where i look under the hood and see the the dipstick is not fully seated in the tube.

If not fully seated, the PCV system will pull unfiltered air through the dipstick tube into the crankcase. not good if you frequently see dusty work conditions (like i do).

Mine seats rather hard so it is easy not to get the handle fully seated in the tube where the o-ring seals it all up.

just something to check for those who don't do their own oil changes.

 

I just got my oil changed today by a place instead of doing it myself like I always do, just to lazy after working all week. Thanks for the heads up I'm going to check mine now.

 

It is possible that your PCV system is in fact plugged, causing your dipstick to pop up.

Sent from my Z10 using IB AutoGroup

 

Your sig' (and profile information) does not denote you having a 2009+ F150 ... the 2009 through 2014 Ford F150, so ...

Please provide the vehicle information - year, model, trim, and engine.

If EcoBoost'ed, could the cause be that the crankcase is being pressurized?

------------------------------

-click- the pic'
Goth 150
< This space intentionally -blank- >

 

I understand what Mike is saying and I fully agree. Perform your due diligence after someone has serviced your truck and you'll be happy that you did.

After my second oil change in my truck at the dealer, I was standing in the breezeway watching the lube tech bring my truck out to the parking area. I was about to head in and start my check out when I saw the same person running outside with my fabric underliner in his hands. He slide under my truck, installed the underliner and then went back in.

I made a comment to the service writer about that, he was totally unmoved. I spoke to the service manager and had a mechanic put my truck back on a lift and inspect everything. All was fine but a seed of doubt was planted.

 

suppose anything is possible, but extremely doubtful. after reinstalling it this last time it pops in to the tube hard enough to pinch me and draw blood.

it seats very tightly.

2010 F150 XL 5.4 - information not included in my personalized information because i don't own it ... i just get to be the only driver for work.

i will note that the only time i have ever noticed it unseated is after an oil change. mine seats really hard for some reason, you can push on it hard enough to be sure that you have it seated, but it will still not be locked in.

Just good to check it out after having someone work on it. the first time this happened to me, I drove it nearly 3,000 miles before i even opened the hood, then noticed the dipstick was loose.

(yes, i should probably check it more often, but it is never even close to low in a 3k or 4k mile OCI so i've gotten pretty lax about checking it)

 

Good info Mike. When I got the current work 08 F150 I couldn't get the dipstick out. I guess whoever had it for the 217k miles before me wasn't a fan of checking it as it was locked in there. I had to put the big guns to 'er and she came loose Now when I check it weekly I use the oil on the bottom of the dipstick to lube the o-ring. I've had it for about a month (and about 700 miles) and it hasn't used any oil, I'm impressed