Can't get sample via dipstick pump

[rob-the-oil-nut]

This happen to anyone else? The tube goes down and hits some sort of blockage, and I can't pull up any oil to get a sample. Tried with, and without, a sample bottle on, and tried severaal times.
I also spoke to a guy at a Pontiac dealership that brought up a diagram and said that the tube was hitting something, maybe the crank, maybe a lip or edging of the pan. He said looks like I'll have to go with the stream method...
Is there a way around this? This happen with anyone else? How can I take a sample then, unless it is the 'stream' method which pretty much means an oil change??
Thanks
Rob

 

[96Outback]

Well you could install a Fumoto Valve or a Fram Sure Drain. That would allow you to get a quick sample without a full change. Might be out of luck this time though.

John

 

[doyall]

Was the end of the tube cut at an angle?

 

[Terry]

Rob, doyall is right on, cut the tube at an angle to slip through. Another help is with a CLEAN set of pliers flatten the angle cut area a bit to help getting past the flange on the dipstick guide.


If that doesn;t work try a smaller tube, we have 2 sizes here, one for HDD diesels that will not fit in a Passenger car dipstick tube.

 

[Al]

My son has the 3.4 GrandAm-same problem. Cutting at an angle sounds like a possibility.

 

[Robbie Alexander]

quote:

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Originally posted by rob-the-oil-nut:
This happen to anyone else? The tube goes down and hits some sort of blockage, -*-*-*

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Yup. Follow the posters suggestion and cut at a 45Degree angle.
To be sure you are at the proper depth, when you pull the dipstick, place the tube over it and mark or tape just above the end of the stick (on the plactic tube.
Note: There are SOME cars that the dipstick WILL not work... although not many, yours may be one of them. If this is the case you have 2 choices if you want an easy sampling...
TRY through the Oil Cap
Put on a drain through a hose connected to the Oil Sending unit.... here you will need to drain a couple ounces before a sample is taken because some is in the line.

 

[Spector]

I have that on a few cars and the smaller tube is the answer. Works fine now but since installing the Fumotos I use those for taking samples now.

 

[Robbie Alexander]

quote:

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Originally posted by Spector:
I have that on a few cars and the smaller tube is the answer. Works fine now but since installing the Fumotos I use those for taking samples now.

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I'm outa line for the last ten samples or so.
Anyone know the size of the hose for the thompson pump by chance... I have to keep cleaning it with break cleaner... like to get new hose but can't find any less than 500'

 

[rob-the-oil-nut]

quote:

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Originally posted by Robbie Alexander:

TRY through the Oil Cap

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I did. It failed so badly that I thought I was a real idiot for even trying and failed to post that I had even tried.
Now, the 45 degree angle thing, that I was told about and totally forgot.
I'll keep you posted.
Rob

 

[Robbie Alexander]

quote:

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Originally posted by rob-the-oil-nut:

quote:

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Originally posted by Robbie Alexander:

TRY through the Oil Cap

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I did. It failed so badly that I thought I was a real idiot for even trying and failed to post that I had even tried.
Now, the 45 degree angle thing, that I was told about and totally forgot.
I'll keep you posted.
Rob

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Secert, through the Oil cap if the 45 degree angle does not work...
Place the tube in a very hot (hard driven car - like mine) motor dip stick tube as far as you can go............ wait......... wait........
Then pull it out with a rag rubbing it straight as you can.... and in my experiences it usually stays straight and wont "ROLL" up on you for awhile. Just depends on how easy or straight a shot you have from the cover to the pan....

You want fool proof... go with the spout on the hose attached to the oil sending unit.... I used that for years.

 

[Greg Bohn]

quote:

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Originally posted by rob-the-oil-nut:
This happen to anyone else? The tube goes down and hits some sort of blockage, and I can't pull up any oil to get a sample. Tried with, and without, a sample bottle on, and tried severaal times.
I also spoke to a guy at a Pontiac dealership that brought up a diagram and said that the tube was hitting something, maybe the crank, maybe a lip or edging of the pan. He said looks like I'll have to go with the stream method...
Is there a way around this? This happen with anyone else? How can I take a sample then, unless it is the 'stream' method which pretty much means an oil change??
Thanks
Rob

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What is the Outside Diameter of the tubing you are using?

I ran into a Saturn that had some sort of constriction in the Dipstick tube so that the 0.25 inch O.D. tubing I was using wouldn't work. It would make it partway down, but stop just short or where it needed to go.

I used some 3/16" O.D. Nylon-12 tubing that fit snugly into the 0.180" I.D. of my 0.25 inch O.D. tubing, and I was able to snake that into the crankcase.

Only problem I had was that you need to make sure you warm the oil. The combination of small tubing and cold oil makes for a slow sample...

I guess there's a chance smaller tubing would help in your case.

-Greg Bohn

 

[Robbie Alexander]

Greg, You ALWAYS want to take the sample when HOT, and within 10-20-30 minutes of shutdown.

What I do is run it all day, and when I get home, Off come the work clothes, in my hand goes a favorite adult beverage (after kissing Wife), I
The either pop on the PC or one thing or another and when 5-10 minutes are up, I go directly to my truck and my Wife usually comes with me, and she'll hold my dipstick while I pump the oil out and cap the sample, then I get her to hold the pump, and tube, and I replace the dipstick closing hood after topping up with 2-4 ounces.

quote:

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Originally posted by Greg Bohn:
-*-*

Only problem I had was that you need to make sure you warm the oil. The combination of small tubing and cold oil makes for a slow sample...

I guess there's a chance smaller tubing would help in your case.

-Greg Bohn

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[Patman]

quote:

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Originally posted by Robbie Alexander:


I go directly to my truck and my Wife usually comes with me, and she'll hold my dipstick while I pump the oil out

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You're a lucky man!