URGENT HELP NEEDED!!!!!
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URGENT HELP NEEDED!!!!!
I was changing my oil today on my '03 F250 6.0. and was also replacing my dipstick since it was barely together the last time I changed the oil. I finished up the oil change and inserted the new dipstick. When I pulled the dipstick out to look at the level it was missing about 1/2 of the tip that shows your oil level!!!!!
Is this something that will fall harmlessly to the bottom of the oil pan and sit there?
If not then what can/should be done to get the piece that broke off out?
Please keep in mind that I am not looking to get a new engine or anything crazy out of this. I have contacted the companies involved and they were both very helpful but with this being Saturday I will need to call back on Monday. I am hoping to get some good knowledge form here before the call on Monday.
Thanks, Craig
Is this something that will fall harmlessly to the bottom of the oil pan and sit there?
If not then what can/should be done to get the piece that broke off out?
Please keep in mind that I am not looking to get a new engine or anything crazy out of this. I have contacted the companies involved and they were both very helpful but with this being Saturday I will need to call back on Monday. I am hoping to get some good knowledge form here before the call on Monday.
Thanks, Craig
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Francestown, NH
I believe you will be able to remove the tube that the dipstick resides in. That should reveal the bottom lost section. I can't tell you exactly everything that might need to be removed (if anything) to get access to that tube but I believe that's your way out of this problem.
Page 10 of the 6.0 bible shows the dipstick tube.
Best of luck.
Page 10 of the 6.0 bible shows the dipstick tube.
Best of luck.
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Thanks for the quick reply.
I was wondering if that might be the answer while I was standing staring helplessly at the engine in my driveway earlier. I do not have a good manual for it yet so I might have to go get one.
I was wondering if that might be the answer while I was standing staring helplessly at the engine in my driveway earlier. I do not have a good manual for it yet so I might have to go get one.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Francestown, NH
So I just reread your original post and I missed the 'tip' part. I thought somehow 1/2 the length of the dipstick had broken off.
The tip, well that little bit I don't know if removing the tube will help now that I think of it. Perhaps it'll end up in the oil pan and either come out with an oil change, or stay there and never be an issue because of the screen on the oil pickup?
The tip, well that little bit I don't know if removing the tube will help now that I think of it. Perhaps it'll end up in the oil pan and either come out with an oil change, or stay there and never be an issue because of the screen on the oil pickup?
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It was an aftermarket part from one of the "big boys" in the parts world. I saw so many complaints about the stock dipstick tops breaking like mine did that I figured that OEM might not be the best option here.
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So I just reread your original post and I missed the 'tip' part. I thought somehow 1/2 the length of the dipstick had broken off.
The tip, well that little bit I don't know if removing the tube will help now that I think of it. Perhaps it'll end up in the oil pan and either come out with an oil change, or stay there and never be an issue because of the screen on the oil pickup?
The tip, well that little bit I don't know if removing the tube will help now that I think of it. Perhaps it'll end up in the oil pan and either come out with an oil change, or stay there and never be an issue because of the screen on the oil pickup?
Thanks again.
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More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Western Connecticut
I think it shouldn't be an issue. As the OP stated, there's a screen on your pickup that should keep anything large from being recycled thru the oil system.
Mike
Mike
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Fleet Owner
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From: Spanaway
If you are worried about it you can do this.
You should also pull the tube in hopes that
some how it got stuck in the end. but that
would be just too easy.
Get a clean bucket and drain the oil into a funnel
with a screen and see if it comes out. If not you can
then use a flashlight with a fiber optic cable on it
Fiber Optic Light (Model-A.org)
and slide that into the the drain hole and have a look
if you see it you reach in with the a small flexible
grab tool and snag it. Most likely it lost the plastic
end when you pulled the stick up the tube and it
got stuck on the end of the tube in the pan. I am
not sure on this part but I think that the tube goes
below the windage tray in the pan. For the ones that
ask "What is a windage tray." It helps keep the oil in the
pan from sloshing up onto the rod ends as you drive and
aerating the oil.
One other way to fish it out would be a length of
uncoated welding filler rod with a hook bent into the end
then insert into the drain hole and sweep the bottom of
the oil pan bringing it back to the drain each time.
Being a plastic part all the above may be un-needed
and it may just come out with the flow of the oil draining.
Please let us know what you do and how things go.
Sean
You should also pull the tube in hopes that
some how it got stuck in the end. but that
would be just too easy.
Get a clean bucket and drain the oil into a funnel
with a screen and see if it comes out. If not you can
then use a flashlight with a fiber optic cable on it
Fiber Optic Light (Model-A.org)
and slide that into the the drain hole and have a look
if you see it you reach in with the a small flexible
grab tool and snag it. Most likely it lost the plastic
end when you pulled the stick up the tube and it
got stuck on the end of the tube in the pan. I am
not sure on this part but I think that the tube goes
below the windage tray in the pan. For the ones that
ask "What is a windage tray." It helps keep the oil in the
pan from sloshing up onto the rod ends as you drive and
aerating the oil.
One other way to fish it out would be a length of
uncoated welding filler rod with a hook bent into the end
then insert into the drain hole and sweep the bottom of
the oil pan bringing it back to the drain each time.
Being a plastic part all the above may be un-needed
and it may just come out with the flow of the oil draining.
Please let us know what you do and how things go.
Sean
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Freshman User
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It sounds like I am going to be OK on this. If appreciate all the advice and answers to my question.
Please keep the advice coming.
Now that I know the engine should be fine since the broken piece will just fall into the oil pan what do you think the manufacturer should / would be willing to do to make it right?
Please keep the advice coming.
Now that I know the engine should be fine since the broken piece will just fall into the oil pan what do you think the manufacturer should / would be willing to do to make it right?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 754
Likes: 2
From: AB,Can
It sounds like I am going to be OK on this. If appreciate all the advice and answers to my question.
Please keep the advice coming.
Now that I know the engine should be fine since the broken piece will just fall into the oil pan what do you think the manufacturer should / would be willing to do to make it right?
Please keep the advice coming.
Now that I know the engine should be fine since the broken piece will just fall into the oil pan what do you think the manufacturer should / would be willing to do to make it right?
Folks are always griping about the cost of a mechanic at the dealership and why they charge so much.... well it's because you come to expect better when things like this happen! They should look after you.
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I have a couple of follow up questions if dropping the oil pan is the ultimate solution for me.
Is that something that can be done with the motor still I the truck? Or is it more involved?
What would be a reasonable estimate to have an experienced shop do that?
And finally if it is a more involved process what else should be looked at or done while its apart? The truck is bassically stock with 93000 miles on it so I would be willing to spend a few extra bucks if it was already getting some work done on it.
Is that something that can be done with the motor still I the truck? Or is it more involved?
What would be a reasonable estimate to have an experienced shop do that?
And finally if it is a more involved process what else should be looked at or done while its apart? The truck is bassically stock with 93000 miles on it so I would be willing to spend a few extra bucks if it was already getting some work done on it.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,055
Likes: 235
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
Do you have a cherry picker you will have to lift the engine up alittle to get the pan off
Id just drain the oil and filter see if you get it that way
I wouldnt think its big enough to suck up the pickup guess that depends how big
Id just drain the oil and filter see if you get it that way
I wouldnt think its big enough to suck up the pickup guess that depends how big
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 904
Likes: 1
is that a plastic or metal tip?
if it's plastic, don't worry about it.
if it's a metal tip, and it isn't in the tube, which it's not likely to be, then it's down under the windage pan most likely.
here's how i'd get it out.... drain the oil thru a funnel with a screen, and
see if you get lucky. i give it a 25% chance.
after that doesn't work, get one of these...
if the tip is magnetic... i don't think they are
i think they are zinc or a pot metal alloy.
3/4 Sphere (gold) : United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies
get a spherical one. a flat one you might not be able to get
it off a flat metal surface. that will allow you to snag it and
roll it over to the drain hole.
about those magnets......
the really big ones are dangerous. you get it between your
hand and some steel, and it can mash and amputate a
finger.
Supermagnet # 42 (4 x 2 Disc) : United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies
seriously. one's this big are dangerous. broken arms,
mashed hands.
but the small ones will reach thru an oil pan and let you drag
something along with it, rolling it towards the exit....
if it's plastic, don't worry about it.
if it's a metal tip, and it isn't in the tube, which it's not likely to be, then it's down under the windage pan most likely.
here's how i'd get it out.... drain the oil thru a funnel with a screen, and
see if you get lucky. i give it a 25% chance.
after that doesn't work, get one of these...
if the tip is magnetic... i don't think they are
i think they are zinc or a pot metal alloy.
3/4 Sphere (gold) : United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies
get a spherical one. a flat one you might not be able to get
it off a flat metal surface. that will allow you to snag it and
roll it over to the drain hole.
about those magnets......
the really big ones are dangerous. you get it between your
hand and some steel, and it can mash and amputate a
finger.
Supermagnet # 42 (4 x 2 Disc) : United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies
seriously. one's this big are dangerous. broken arms,
mashed hands.
but the small ones will reach thru an oil pan and let you drag
something along with it, rolling it towards the exit....