dipstick tube replacement

[wally archibald]

i apologize if i'm in the wrong place for this but thought someone here could offer me some advice.... I have a 91 blazer 4.3liter that has a broken off dipstick tube, I removed the top portion of broken tube and I can't seem to locate where the bottom portion goes to as it vanishes under the exhaust i presume, i cant see where it enters anywhere so I'm wondering where does it go and what is the procedure for replacement, I've got the part already from the dealer, just need a little direction. tia wally

 

[syclonekid43]

you might be able to sneek around not taking off the manifold. which that way it might take longer to do. your best bet is to take the manifold off. you will be able to see right where it goes. i know there is a bolt on the head (i think) yhat holds the dip stick in place.

 

[jwaller]

the lower portion of the tube is stuck in the blcok and your most likly going to have to remove the oil pan to remove whats left of the tube. that sounds like a huge PITA to me. good luck.

 

[syclonekid43]

you do not need to take off the oil pan to remove the rest of the dip stick tube out. if the dip stick itself . the part that goes in to the tube broke then you have to take the oilpan off. the tube goes into the side of the block not the pan.

 

[Guest]

Here's a pic from the Lokar site showing you "where it's at".....

http://www.lokar.com/engine_dipsticks.html

 

[wally archibald]

Again, please pardon my ignorance on basic mechanics but can someone explain to me exactly how the tube is extracted and the new on inserted, will I need a certain tool or can it be hand fed in and simply pulled out, is there a seal and if I try to push it in to place without removing the manifold how will I know if it is seated/sealed properly? Any and all info is greatly appreciated....
ps: thanx for the pix roland

 

[ronniejoe80]

To make it easier for you to understand, the dip stick tube just pushes into the block just above the oil pan. Some people may use a little sealer around it, but most not. There is a "bulge" or lip that will stop it from going too far into the block. If it is broke off above that then all you'll have to do is get ahold of it with some good vice-grips or such and pull it out. If it seems really stuck, you may be able to get an "Easy-Out" tighten on it and use that to pull on. Worse case is taking off the oil pan. Once it is off, you can simply tap on the bottom of the dipstick tube where it sticks into the crank case area. If you can't find the lower portion, compare the new one to the old piece you have and see how much should be sticking out of the block, if any.

 

[wally archibald]

What you describe sounds relatively easy Ronnie, I am able to turn the old tube from side to side so I assume its not rusted in place and there is plenty to grab ahold of with vice grips, do you think I will be able to locate the block hole with the new tube without removing the manifold which will basically mean trying to insert the new tube blind and finding the hole by feel???

 

[ronniejoe80]

If the manifold bolts seem easy to get to, I would just take them out just to make it easier. Sometimes the little extra work would pay off..ie you bend the new tube putting it in.

 

[wally archibald]

to heck with it, it looks like someone has previously tried to remove the exhaust manifold since the bolts look and feel pretty rounded, so i removed all of the broken parts of the tube and threaded a self threading bolt straight down it to stop the flow of oil, so i'll have to watch my oil pressure guage for hints and do frequent oil changes to keep the level somewhat right, i also discovered that the intake manifold seal is less than perfectly sealed but not leaking too badly, in a nutshell I think that this baby needs to be pulled from the truck and rebuilt, especially considering the abuse the poor thing has been taking being driven with not enough lubricant in there, someday maybe when the lotto comes in, thanx for all of the advice peoples, ttyl