Hello everyone I am new to the board and have a question. I have a 93 Z28 and I am putting on new headers, in the process of removing all the stock junk my friend broke my dipstick after only being able to pull it out an inch or 2. there is about 2 inches of it protruding from the block, I couldn't get it out when i had more to grab onto. I have had people tell me to just seal the dipstick hole with a bolt covered in rtv and some say to replace it asap. what is the easiet way to fix it right or should i take it in to chevy? Thanks
oil dipstick problem from new guy
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Patman
Staff member
I would say to fix it. What happens if it ends up sliding down into the pan? I wouldn't take that chance with mine. (I drive a 95 Formula by the way)
Oh yes, I almost forgot to say:
!
Oh yes, I almost forgot to say:
Sooner or later you are going to have to fix it. Shouldn't be to hard to do(easy for me to say huh). Older Chevys the dip stick tube was only a press fit. A little tapping with a hammer would do it. Harder was to get the old one out; unless it was coming out with the stick.
What caused the stick to not come out in the first place?
Until you fix it could you bend the stick so it can't slide down?
What caused the stick to not come out in the first place?
Until you fix it could you bend the stick so it can't slide down?
If it broke off above the block then there is little chance if it sliding in to the pan. There is a lip on the tube that only lets it slide in so far.
Sorry to ask the obvious but you did remove the bolt holding the dipstick tube to the block correct? Its a small 3/8" bolt about 2-3" from the base.
Aside from that its only a press fit holding the tube in but as you discovered its VERY tight, especally if its never been removed before.(during reinstall sand that part of the tube down a little and it'll go in alot easier)
Its your call, IMO the motor isnt in any danger but it would suck not to have a dipstick. In your shoes I would get under there and keep trying to remove it, if you remove the starter you should have decent access to it.
A new dipstick is fairly cheap ~$15. If you need the part number let me know and I'll look it up for you.
Good Luck
Jason
93 Trans Am
Sorry to ask the obvious but you did remove the bolt holding the dipstick tube to the block correct? Its a small 3/8" bolt about 2-3" from the base.
Aside from that its only a press fit holding the tube in but as you discovered its VERY tight, especally if its never been removed before.(during reinstall sand that part of the tube down a little and it'll go in alot easier)
Its your call, IMO the motor isnt in any danger but it would suck not to have a dipstick. In your shoes I would get under there and keep trying to remove it, if you remove the starter you should have decent access to it.
A new dipstick is fairly cheap ~$15. If you need the part number let me know and I'll look it up for you.
Good Luck
Jason
93 Trans Am
I have had to do that job more than once.
Take a small pair of vise grips and clamp onto the dipstick tube that is sticking out. Then tap on the vise grips from the bottom, and the remainder of the tube should come out.
Use a few drops of penetrating oil, and gently tap it out.
Take a small pair of vise grips and clamp onto the dipstick tube that is sticking out. Then tap on the vise grips from the bottom, and the remainder of the tube should come out.
Use a few drops of penetrating oil, and gently tap it out.
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