Hey all. Ford F-150, 1999, 4WD. My dipstick tube has rusted off right at the point where it attaches to the engine block. I purchased a new one but I'm not sure if that's a job I can do on my own. Do any of you have any advice on what installing a new tube will entail?

Bye for now!

 

Hardest part will be getting the rest of the old one out of the block. Best suggestion I have seen is just punch it through into the pan and see if you can fish it out of the drain hole. The new one will just push right into the hole, put some oil on the O ring so it goes on easy. The exhaust manifold is going to be in the way, to get the best view remove the inner fender, only takes a few minutes and with it and the tire removed you can look pretty much right at the hole.

 

Ok. Should I be worried about getting bits of rust and / or metal falling into the pan? What if I can't fish the plug out of the pan? Also, how do I punch the plug through into the pan?

Apologies for all the questions!

 

This is what I have done on several occasions. find a tap you can screw into the broken part that is in the block, then clamp a pair of vice grips on the tap, then use a hammer to tap upwards on the vice grips. If you are afraid the tap will knock rust into the pan just coat the tap with a heavy layer of grease that way any loose stuff will stick to the tap.

 

Ok. Nice and clever. Thanks, I'll give it a shot.

 

Did you ever get your problem solved?