Tip of dipstick Broke off!

[usaflowe]

I recently found that the tip of dipstick broke off and i need to know the easiest way to get it outta there. Also will it hurt to keep driving my car i have a 95 gt vert

 

[BlackPearl955.0]

The easiest way is to undo the headers hook up and engine lift to the inner header bolts. Then slide under the car and undo the motor mounts. Slowly lift the engine untill you get the clearence you need to get the oil pan out.
It is time consuming.
I had the same problem when I bought the car. I drove it for about 3000 miles before I rebuilt the engine. The pieces just kind of sit at the bottom of the pan. I didnt see any damage on the internals. So i dont think it matter too much. But just in case it might be a good idea to remove.
The onlt place I know to get a dipstick is a junkyard, or maybe and internet store. I dont think you can get anything like it from the auto store.
Maybe it you have a goo magnet you can drain the oil pan and slide them to the opening on the oil pan?

 

[usaflowe]

Thanks alot for the info ill try the magnet thing first but i hear they have a screen at the bottom of the dipstick tube. I really dont want to take the oil pan off thats a pain.

 

[95trippleblack]

Put magnetic drain plugs in and leave it alone maybe they will catch it. I have them in my car to catch any metal shavings. I got them form auto zone or advanced auto ~$5. Yes their is a screen on the pickup

http://www.steeda.com/products/magnetic_drain_plugs.php

 

['66 coupe]

Thanks alot for the info ill try the magnet thing first but i hear they have a screen at the bottom of the dipstick tube.

No screen. The tip is definately in the pan. But like '95tripleblack said, the pick-up has a screen, so no worries about it sucking it up.

The oil should be too thick for the little piece of metal to simply jump up from the pan into the bottom end. Some of the early 289/302 engines had problems with piston skirts breaking off and falling into the pan. I have a disassembled '68 engine that had this problem. Several guys in the classic forum have found this had happened after disassembling their original engines; since the piston still works fine, there was no problems. But there aren't any cases of the broken piston skirt leaving the pan, and bouncing back into the bottom end. You should be okay.

I like that magnetic drain plug. I'm gonna have to go get some of those.

 

[WHITE94COBRA]

Or a really strong magnet across the bottom of the pan just keep sliding it to the drain hole.

 

[usaflowe]

I think im gonna go get one of those magnetic drain plugs when its time to change my oil again. Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[autumn_again]

I've got a slightly worse case of what you have.

it rusted off at the top of the handle to pull it out.

I am hoping to take off the dipstick tube this weekend, getting the remainders out, seeing whats up with the tube, if i have to replace it or not, and if i don't, just buy a new dipstick.

 

[usaflowe]

wow! i feel bad for you. Good luck with that and if i was you i would go ahead and get another one just as precaution so it doesnt happen again.

 

[autumn_again]

yeah i'm thinking since i'll be ripping it out, its not that much more, and it would be worth it IMO, just to throw a new one in.

 

[gcomfx.com]

Magnets are the way to go. How much broke off?

 

['66 coupe]

I've got a slightly worse case of what you have.

Well...you lost more dipstick than he did. But your retrieval should be less work.

 

[autumn_again]

yeah, it should, but I never saw the dipstick before it broke off, so i may be wrong and it may be in a million little pieces, hopefully not though.