Was checking my oil and when I pulled up dipstick the tube appears to have broke off at the block. Can I just push it back into the block and will it stay or do i need to remove the base of tube from the engine block? How common is this? I talked to a tech who said they break on GM cars often. He said I would need to remove oil pan and push it up from below.

 

If here is anything sticking up above the block you should be able to pull it out with pliers. If not you have to do as the tech said. There is a bulge on the tube that "pops" into the block to hold it in place. You will see it when you remove it and on the new tube which can be bought from any auto parts store.

 

For what it is worth. I try to stay away from auto part store oil dipsticks. If I need one..I get the correct one from a Corvette supplier so I know it will register the oil correctly. Not all oil dipsticks are the same.

DUB

 

Lucky for you, C3 oil pans are easy to remove and replace. Just break the center link, and there's nothing in the way. I didn't even pull the starter or the oil filter when I did mine. Here's what you need to think about while it's off: New rear main seal? New oil pump? One piece oil pan gasket?

It's up to you whether or not you want to replace the rear main seal and oil pump, but if it doesn't already have one, a one piece oil pan gasket from Fel-Pro is definitely worth the money. Definitely. Good luck, and don't forget to let us know how it works out, or if you have more questions.

Scott

 

Will it leak oil out of the point where the tube broke off if I drive it before I repair it? How can i plug it until I can get new tube?

 

Are you kidding? It'll blow oil out of that hole. Maybe not much, IDK, never drove around without a dipstick, but I wouldn't bet against it.

Can you get ahold of it and pull it out, or not? If not, you're pulling the pan. I think your best bet would just be to not drive it until it's fixed.

Scott

 

I would not be driving it around without the dipstick and tube. Oil will leak out. Even though the hole is small you also have to worry about anything getting down in there. Trying to plug it until you get it fixed is not a good idea, cause either the plug can fall out or in or fubar up the hole.

First try and get some locking pliers on whats left and try and pull out whats left. If that doesn't work then lift it up, remove the steering, drop the pan, remove the old, install the new, put in a one pc gasket, put everything back together, back on the road 15 minutes later.

 

If you have the oil dipstick tube in your hand and near the end of it there is a 'bubbled ridge' in the steel tube. This is where the tube will stop against the engine block when installed. Usually there is about 1 inch of steel past this 'bubble'. And that is for a dipstick that goes in the block on the drivers side of the engine.

Also...there is another tube. This tube gets installed in tyeh eigne block BEFORE Myou install the dipstick. So...if you drop teh oil pan down...you might see this tube extending down. it will ahve to be pushed/knocked out so you can re-install it and install teh new dipstick.

I will tell you....that I have a tool that i made for installing oil dipsticks. Just beating on the end of the oil dipstick tube 'sometimes' does not work at all and destroys the tube. So my tools makes contact with the bubble so I can tap it in and hit it where I need to hit it without destroying the tube. Doing this in the car can be quite 'fun'. So be patient.

Also you have to remember that if you are going to drive it without the dipstick in place. You will have an open hole that your PCV system is allowing air to suck into the crankcase ..thus bringing unfiltered air and debris right into your crankcase...which is MUCH WORSE than a bit of oil leaking....in my opinion.

I do not know what to tell you to use to seal this hole off. maybe put the dipstick back in with a bit of RTV around it and allow it to set.

DUB

 

That's interesting to know. I replaced mine several years ago with a chrome one, It fits perfectly into the block and the markings are the same. I still have the original.

 

You lucked out...and I am GLAD it work perfectly for you. MY LUCK...it would not...which is why I always buy the correct tubes and dip sticks.

DUB

 

sometimes an esay out can be used to get the broken tube out