black_widow87 Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 (edited) Went to check my oil level before taking the car out only to find the head of the dipstick has come off in the tube. Has this ever happened to anyone else? And whats the best way to get it out? Cheers Jake Edited October 22, 2017 by black_widow87 (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 How far in ? Can’t you use some needle nose pliers ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 or a good pair of tweasers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_widow87 Posted October 22, 2017 Author Share Posted October 22, 2017 How far in ? Can’t you use some needle nose pliers ? Can't see it at all, must be down the bottom of the tube somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 You could try a magnet pick up tool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_widow87 Posted October 22, 2017 Author Share Posted October 22, 2017 Problem is that the tube is too narrow for a magnet. Would it be easier to pick up through the sump? its due an oil change anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evinX Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Wow ive never seen that before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaky Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Wow ive never seen that before I have, i just unscrewed the tube, but that was on a v6 essex engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Unless the bit left in is very long it's almost certainly sitting in the bottom of the sump now isn't it? I'd post up the length you have on yours and then someone can tell you the length missing and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_widow87 Posted October 22, 2017 Author Share Posted October 22, 2017 Just measured my dipstick upto the base of the handle which is 513mm. Judging by the length of the tube i reckon the end of it will be in the sump. Am i right in thinking that it will come through the sump drain using a magnet?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyson Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Ah I thought you meant the bit at the top, yeah surely the end is in the sump as that’s where it take the measurement from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Just measured my dipstick upto the base of the handle which is 513mm. Judging by the length of the tube i reckon the end of it will be in the sump. Am i right in thinking that it will come through the sump drain using a magnet?? I can't recall the exact lay out of the dipstick and sump baffles plate thing, so it may be easy to fish out once the oil has drained or it could be a pig! The lower sump is steel and magnetic so will attract your magnet too, but I can't see any other quick option. If you drain Jack up the passenger side up a ways to encourage the piece towards the sump plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supra_aero Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Can u use a magnet outside alongside actual tube to bring it up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_widow87 Posted October 23, 2017 Author Share Posted October 23, 2017 Can u use a magnet outside alongside actual tube to bring it up? I tried that but with no success. I think due to the length of the tube, the bit will most probably be in the sump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_widow87 Posted October 28, 2017 Author Share Posted October 28, 2017 Well i have just found out the end of the dipstick isnt magnetic! So i suppose it will have to sit there in the sump...unless someone can come up with another idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keron Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 unbolt the black dipstick holder and remove the holder from the sump and you should be able to pull it out.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_widow87 Posted October 28, 2017 Author Share Posted October 28, 2017 unbolt the black dipstick holder and remove the holder from the sump and you should be able to pull it out.... Is that the black bracket at the top? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 (edited) Yes, it's a fiddle to get at the bolt holding the bracket, but once out wiggle the tube out of the upper sump casting, it has an "O" ring on it to seal it. You just *MIGHT* find the tip of the stick still above the sump level. Otherwise you will have to drop the steel sump. sealing it again with oil dripping off the crank and block walls is fun... It needs to come out as hot thin oil agitated by the crank may whip the tip into the rotation of the crank and rods, and nowt good will come of that! If the tip was magnetic a big rare earth magnet on the outside of the bottom of the sump pan would probably hold it out of harms way, but physically removing it is a far safer option. Big rare earth magnets on the bottom outside of the sump are good for holding magnetic shrapnel, but of course there shouldn't be any in there anyway Edited October 28, 2017 by Chris Wilson (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_widow87 Posted October 29, 2017 Author Share Posted October 29, 2017 Got round to removing the dipstick tube last night, only to find the dipstick itself is a good 10cm longer than the tube so almost certain its in the sump. I might try using a suction pump before even thinking about removing the sump as it seems to be a bigger job than expected. Just to confirm, is there definitely no way of getting it off without removing the engine or dropping the subframe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Not and leaving it in a state whereby it can be refitted, no Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Have you established how long the bit in there is yet? it sounds from your description that it's a short bit of the tip? If it's a small piece I'd think it's feasible you could drain the oil and use some magnetic tool to fish it out, you'll have to drain the oil if you get to the sump removal stage anyway so nothing really to lose in trying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rider Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 If you drain the sump then you can stick a usb camera in there and have a look at what you are looking at. If its small then the draining would, you'd imagine, flush the rod to the proximity of the drain hole so you may be able to manoeuvre it to a position where you can tweezer it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evinX Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Damn man, what a scenario it is, the fact you have to shift the engine throws it off. its a tip so 'may' come out the drain hole in the fluid, dont angle the car as it may go into a corner and miss the drain hole. jack the whole car level and drain, id start from back back. If it dosent come out you can try using some cheap brand oil to fill and flush it out? or youll have to bite the bullet and pull the engine - - - Updated - - - If you drain the sump then you can stick a usb camera in there and have a look at what you are looking at. If its small then the draining would, you'd imagine, flush the rod to the proximity of the drain hole so you may be able to manoeuvre it to a position where you can tweezer it out. just read that comment, my guess also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_widow87 Posted October 29, 2017 Author Share Posted October 29, 2017 Yes it is the gauge end bit to the dipstick, however, its not magnetic. I went to Mr T to get a new one and tested it straight away with a magnet, only the rod is drawn to the magnet. Iv drained the oil and nothing came out, so will have a go with my mechanical suction pump this week. Reading elsewhere on the Web people have suggested using a wet/dry industrial vacuum... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_widow87 Posted October 31, 2017 Author Share Posted October 31, 2017 Can anyone tell me the material of the dipstick tip?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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