I went to check the oil in my v10 tonight, when I pulled the dipstick, the top half of the tube came out with it. It corroded and broke in two pieces where it bolts to the head. What kind of a job is it to put a new one in? Can I pull the old bottom half out, and just push a new one in to the hole in the pan? Thanks.

 

After doing some research, I found LOFTYGOALS post from back in MAY when his broke off. I dont know what condition my tube is in from the head mounting bolt down. For now I am going to use a large vacume plug and a small "zip" strap to plug it off until I get a chance to fix it right. Hopefully when the time comes it doesnt break off in the block.

 

What year is the V10 and how many miles? Do you think its a road salt problem?

 

If the tube merely pushes into the block and isn't otherwise secured I'd squirt some PB Blaster around the base in order to free it up for eventual replacement.

I've not heard of this very often myself but anything can happen underside of our vehicles. Hope its nothing more than a simple replacement issue!

 

Its a 2002. Theres plenty of salt corrosion under my truck. It was like that when i bought it. The oil tube is rusted at the mounting bracket on the head. the rest of it looks good until about an inch above the block. There it is rusted and crusty the rest of the way down to the block. I am going to PB blast it alot before I do anything else to it.

 

Caution when pulling out the remainder of the tube I think there is a rubber o-ring that can sometimes stay with the truck and cause problems with the new install. I know when I pulled mine out everything came out but it was a stubborn SOB

 

Stubborn is a good word...I nearly wept tears of joy when, after about 10 hours of vice grips, chisels, picks, and various other types of pliers, I got the dipstick tube out of my dad's Excursion a few years ago.

I don't think there's any way to make this an easy job...your workspace is pretty tight, and you might be fighting some rust issues. Good luck!

Pat

 

Did any of you guys take the drivers side exhaust manifold off to get to the tube?

 

I did not. I think it would have made the dipstick tube job infinitely easier...but with the chronic threat of breaking a manifold stud, you might be opening up a whole new can of worms by attempting to remove the manifold!

Just one guy's opinion...
Pat

 

Mine has a hole in it directly under bolt, got it soaking in PB Blaster right now, chiseling off the rust around the flange best I can, it's either coming out or it's not. Thanks for the previous posts gives me a little encouragement, lol

 

I tried pulling from the top of the dipstick tube, by the manifold, and ended up breaking more off. I got mine out by using a long 3/8ths drive ratchet extension, and a hammer.
I got at the dipstick tube from under the truck. I hammered on the extension, against the tube, upward toward the manifold, and the tube finally worked loose. I got REALLY LUCKY doing it this way, if the tube would have been in any worse condition it would have broke off in the block. I would tap on it for a while and then respray at the base by the block with PB Blaster. Once I got the tube out past the "o" ring it came out pretty easy. Then I had to "snake" it out past the exhaust manifold.
Now the new one is in, and everything is good.

 

I'm giving up for now, because I think I need to have my manifold gaskets and bolts replaced in "awhile", and that is something I not really interested in attempting, although I said that about the plugs and that went ok, lol

 

Mine has broke twice. Both times it came out pretty easy. I do have hedders though.

 

Well, finally tackled this project today! End of dipstick is now in my oil pan, changed the oil and filter probably will do it again pretty soon. My tools, 13/32 drill bit with duct tape wrapped around it flat file to shape drill bit so it would fit into extension (my punch), 2 - 12" 3/8 extensions and a hammer, mirror, droplight. Luckily I wrapped the drill bit in duct tape, cause it broke in half when I tried to pry the wedge in extensions out. A lot of swearing and searching for the punch and cramped fingers, but it's done. Now hopefully the piece in the oil pan stays at the bottom!

 

Just thought I'd add how bad a road salt area could be. I recently picked up my 08 F350 in June and noticed there was a hole this size of a pencil eraser on the bend of the transmission dipstick tube where is attached to the engine. Replaced under warranty thankfully. It's amazing what a little bit of salt and a crack in the paint can do to a part. Now I need to look at the oil dipstick tube to make sure it is okay. Gotta get all the parts I can fixed now while I'm still under warranty!!

On a side note I think I would need to get that piece out of the pan. Just sounds like a ticking time bomb.