A while back, I thought I was being smart by using a cheap handpump to take out a little transmission fluid overfill in my 2000 Ranger. What I did not notice was that there was a hard plastic end on the pump tube which dislodged from the end and got stuck in the dipstick tube.

When it happened, I posted to the (low traffic) Ranger portion of another forum which had been helpful for an old Escape, I used to own. (I was already registered for that forum, while I thought I was registered for this site, but the system couldn't find my login)

It was suggested that I try to push the stopper down into the pan with piece of hard wire, but that didn't work and I just kept driving as it was, except with a piece of foil stuck over the dipstick tube because the dipstick no longer went all the way down.

Now, I'm trying to address it. Admittedly, I haven't pushed exceptionally hard with a thick piece of copper wire, but the stopper was hard plastic and I don't really expect it to squeeze. I've also tried taking a wet vac to the top of the tube now that I've removed the pan, but that didn't pull it out. So, now I have the pan removed and have pulled off the filter. My theory is that if it was suggested I could push it down into the pan, then I should be able to push it up from the bottom, but when I gently and carefully stick my copper wire up into one of the holes (which was under the filter), it isn't very far until I hit something hard. In theory, it could be the stuck stopper, but I don't really know what's up there and don't want to hurt anything without consulting a community more knowledgeable.

Below is a screenshot from ChrisFix's filter replacement video. Before I started, my thought was that the obvious hole on the left could be where the dipstick comes down (without thinking about how that is under the filter), but I (gently) tried poking it and it's only a couple of inches until it hits something hard. I'd really appreciate it if someone could tell me whether I'm on the right track, point me in the right direction or tell me that I need to take a different tact.

Thanks!

 

Just remove the one bolt holding tube to engine and pull out the tube, clear it as you see fit
Check the o-ring, replace if its cracked

 

I saw that as an option when I was searching the web trying to confirm the tube came out where I thought, but I don't have a good angle to see where the bolt is located or to follow the tube because the truck is up on jackstands. The only post I've found searching this forum just wanted to confirm there was only one bolt and I haven't found a guide specific to the Ranger. The few Ford-specific videos I have found, one comes at it from the wheel well, one comes from way underneath with a three feet of extensions and another doesn't show the tube coming out or going back in, only that they cut the bracket from their new tube and held it in place with zipties.

A fourth video uses a deep well socket and a small sledge to tap the tube extension out from the bottom, then bolts on a threaded rod to press their new extension into place. I had to use a similar method on a leaf spring bracket, a couple of years ago. The hole he's using to do all this looks like the hole I'm trying to use, but it's not in the exact same place because he's not doing it on the same truck.

I've now stuck my finger up in the hole on the left of the photo and I can feel what may be a transition to the tube or tube extension, but I can't get my finger very deep. Since posting earlier and sticking my finger in the hole, I've tried the heavy gauge wire again and it goes four or five inches before finding resistance. Looking at the photo of the extension in the fourth video, I could be encountering a bend in the dipstick tube (or extension) and I may be able to get past it by bending the wire, but I'd rather know that I'm poking in the right spot and will not hurt anything before I apply any force. Thus far, I've really just gently probed more than I've actually poked.

I'll go out and look at everything again tomorrow in the daylight. I could replace the filter, reinstall the pan and lower the truck if I can pull the tube from the top, but then I'd have to take it back off if it's easier to poke from the bottom. I could also pull the tire and take off the fender cover if that's the best way to get to it, but the video where they did that did not look like a picnic and again, they were working on a different truck.

Any guidance or suggestions would be appreciated. Now that I've drained the pan, I must clear the tube to refill the truck.

Thanks!

 

Push your wire down and wiggle/twist it around until it comes out the bottom, bend the end so it can hook on the obstruction then pull it out the way it came in, you won't be able to "push it thru", so drop that idea

If you are unsure where the tube comes in then put a pan under trans and pour some old ATF in to the tube at the top, then get under it and see where its coming out

 

Thanks.
I have assumed based on the size of the pump hose that the end which came off is bigger than the tapered end of the dipstick tube and my attempts to push it down after it first got stuck feels like it's lodged pretty tightly. That's why I've been hoping that I could push it up enough, so that I could suck it out with the wet-vac.

Good idea about seeing if any fluid can get past to verify that the larger, more forward hole is the dipstick tube. I don't know if any fluid can actually get through, but it's worth a quarter cup. If nothing else it could lubricate the thing that is stuck.

It also sounds like from what you've said and the videos I've watched about tube replacement, there may be nothing in the end of the tube that I could break by trying to poke it up from the bottom.

When I get home, I'll look and see if I can find the bolt to loosen the tube and get an idea of whether it would be easier than trying to poke. I will also try putting a little old fluid in to see what that does.

Again, thanks for the help and the response.

 

I have the exact same problem did you ever get that thing out of the tube ? If so please tell me how you did it Thank you

 

There is no bolt

 

Unfortunately mine is still blocked.

I tried when the cover was off to change the transmission fluid, but I couldn't get it out. Someday I'll look at it again, but to be honest, it's a few spots down the list of things to be fixed on this truck.

Of course, if you (or anyone) finds the answer, please let us know.

Good luck