The small things always go wrong

[Hagenator]

Well I finally had the motor running today perfectly. And I was changing the thermostat over to a 180 degree. So after im done i go to move the dipstick tube back into place and the ****ing thing breaks clean off. I dont know if it broke off or it just came out. Is it supposed to come out? or did my dumbass break it. How do i fix it so oil stops spurting out? Always the small **** that goes wrong. Always.

-Hagenator

[NAJ]

Same thing happened to me when I removed the head back in Febuary.
I found a plug to put in the hole temporarily and ordered a new dipstick tube from Mopar.
Surprisingly it was still available.

[Hagenator]

Yeah ill put a plug in. Do I have to pull the oil pan to get to the bottom of the dipstick when I get the new one? Is it held in by a bolt or something?

[crazymadbastard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hagenator Yeah ill put a plug in. Do I have to pull the oil pan to get to the bottom of the dipstick when I get the new one? Is it held in by a bolt or something?

It is held on by friction. so maybe you can put a large wood screw in and pull it out. or maybe there is a bit you can grab with a plier.

[86trbolancer]

our dipstick tubes wiggle out and even full of oil i dont think it will leak out after pulling...though most of them tend to break off and leaves you with more of a problem. Soak it with some wd-40 or equivilant and take some pliers and try turning it down by the base...

I've also fished some broken ones out with a pocket/telescoping magnet

[turbokid]

i broke off one in the red convertible and I ended up having to pull the pan and tap it out from the bottom. Not a huge deal. I also have a lift to work on the cars with when its empty so thats always nice.
Q

[pooty]

Try a screw extractor!

[NAJ]

The only bolts are at the block and t-stat housing, we were able to remove the broken section from up top with a lot of patience.
If worse comes to worse before dropping the pan drain the oil and punch it thru and try to grab it with a magnetic pickup tool thru the drain plug opening.

[mmtphoto]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NAJ The only bolts are at the block and t-stat housing, we were able to remove the broken section from up top with a lot of patience. If worse comes to worse before dropping the pan drain the oil and punch it thru and try to grab it with a magnetic pickup tool thru the drain plug opening.

Very clever and creative!-Nice! Removing the oil pan is not a big deal, but I like this alternative-worth a try.

[Screamin4banger]

wow, you guys make this sound easy.
I got a block on an engine stand and cant the dipstick tube out for the life of me. It's not broken - I just need it out! I've tried pounding it out from the bottom with various punches and chisels only to mushrooming the bottom of the tube. I even have a slide-hammer that screws into a vice-grips and cant get it from above either.

[NAJ]

Everything online or in the service manual "sounds" easy but we all know it is not.
Kind of like where the service manual instructions for starter replacement on the
2.2/2.5L turbo says...
disconnect - batt cable, remove electrical connectors, remove mounting bolts, remove starter, YEA RIGHT!!!
Funny thing is that I expected the new dipstick to be a tight fit that I would have to fight with to go all the way down and it fell right in and all I could think is "thats it?, something must be wrong."

[mmtphoto]

'easy' is a relative term-recently did the starter on my turbo II, NOT easy IMO-I have removed the oil pan a couple of times, that is an easy job on these cars, there's lots of room.

[Hagenator]

Thanks alot guys for the help. I'm ganna do it soon once i get around to it.

[Lone Eagle]

I haven't ever had a broken tube, but I've had a couple pop out of the hole. I simply put a little Form-a-Gasket Black on the roll and stab it back in the block.