Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Dip stick keeps breaking. Must remove oil pan?

Hi, I searched the forums and have not found a problem like the one I'm dealing with. Did anyone experience this problem?
I bought a 2000 Ford Contour a year ago. When I did the dip stick was originally broke inside the tube so it was replaced by the dealer with a new one. That one broke, so I now have a third, but am hesitant to put it in because it might break too.
I am wondering if I must remove the oil pan to get the remaining sticks out. Maybe that is the problem? Then I could finally get a proper read on my oil level (it always seems to read full). I don't want the stick to break a third time.
Anyone who had the same experience or know a better way to remove the remaining sticks in the tube, your help is appreicated. Thanks.

-Mack

Get a long thin dowel (from art accessory stores-Michaels or something). Put some superglue on one end, put it in and wait for a few minutes. Then pull it out. If it doesn't work, then you need to remove the tube.

Read this
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=zetecmaint&Number=1019621&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1

and this
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=trouble&Number=456035&Forum=trouble&Words=broke%20dipstick&Match=And&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=455974&Search=true#Post456035

and this
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=trouble&Number=340086&Forum=trouble&Words=dipstick%20broke&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=340086&Search=true#Post340086

Thanks, those are helpful links.
Is there any other way I can remove the little pieces of stick from the tube (it is the bottom portions where you read the level)?
I don't really like the idea of putting superglue in there.
Thanks!

Well, I had the tube removed and the ends weren't in there so they must of somehow ended up in the oil pan. They can't go anywhere from there so I will just keep changing the oil regularly.

The word "Engine Oil" on the stick is facing towards the engine for a proper fit. The other way it rattles.

The car had an oil change but still reads "Add" so whenever it is full I will have to look for the mark there. Kinda strange; it's the right stick. Oh well. At least I know it has the right amount of oil now!

Thanks everyone.

Sincerely,
Mack

I had the handle on my dipstick break. All it takes is a pull straight up on the tube to pop it off the engine. Just make sure the O ring is still on the tube.

As far as a replacement.....superglue didn't work so I went to Autozone and got a chrome Ford 302 dipstick that was the same EXACT length as my Contours.....even read the oil level right.