[smokey626]

Ok, my dipstick tube just broke off flush with the engine block. Is there an easy way to remove the broken piece of the tube without removing the pan, which requires the BRAND NEW MOTOR BE PULLED FROM THE TRUCK? lol

[NEW INTERIORS]

Use a bolt with a slide hammer. Put a little grease down in the hole,Tap it,Screw the bolt down into it,Then use your slide hammer to get it out.

[ericnova72]

Find a bolt that would be a force fit into the broken tube, use a file or grinder to notch the bolt so that it "sort-of" looks like a thread tap (like a self-tapping screw), grease it up to catch any small shavings it might make, and then "force thread" it into the broken piece so that you have something to pull on with a slide hammer, vice grips, crowbar, etc. Work slow and careful, if it takes 3 hours it's still easier and cheaper than pulling the engine.

[ericnova72]

Man, NewInteriors beat me on a holeshot, time to get the practice tree out!
LOL

[smokey626]

lol You guys are awesome, it slid right out THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

[NEW INTERIORS]

Originally Posted by smokey626

lol You guys are awesome, it slid right out THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

[NEW INTERIORS]

Originally Posted by ericnova72

Man, NewInteriors beat me on a holeshot, time to get the practice tree out!
LOL

I had a lot of Practice with the Lights.... LOL..

[406 bug]

Did it brake off before the flanged portion (the stop/lip) of the tube. If so, you can pry it up and out. If not you will need to reduce the dia. of the tube so you can pull it out with a pair of needle nose pliers/vicegrip. Begin by using something small in dia. such as an ice pick. Wedge the ice pick between the outside of tube and the block. Once you get some space established move to something bigger and stronger such as a large nail or punch. continue to crush the tube toward the center of the hole. As you crush and reduce the dia. of the tube you should be able to pull it out. (The tube extends about 3/4 of an inch into the block ). If this fails and before you pull the pan, push the tube into the block, it will drop in the pan and you can possibly fish it out of the pan drain hole with the help of a wire or magnet.

Using something like an easy out won't work because it will just wedge it tighter in the hole. Good luck.

[junior stocker]

GOOD!~ You got it out. I think the advice of New Interiors to "pack" the dipstick tube FULL with grease is TREMENDOUS! You don't want any shavings or other broken off particles to find their way down into the engine. BUT, what's the easiest way to remove the grease and anything it traps? I thought maybe an appropriate sized rubber tube connected to a shop vacuum? This site is one of my favborites.

[smokey626]

lol That's exactly what I did, used the shop vac to suck out the wad of grease! This IS a great forum, and up to this point, have HATED forums but this one rocks!