Hi, everyone. This question is for a '98 Cavalier. While I know it's not Ford, you guys have been so helpful that what the heck, I'm going to post my question.

My EX-fiance, had a thing about trying to one-up me. You know, trying to prove he was a man by showing how much more he knew than I did about cars, construction, - pretty much anything.

In his great wizdom, he decided to check the oil level after an oil change. As he was pulling out the dipstick, I asked why he was checking the transmission and when he turned to argue that the other oil cap was not where the dipstick was, he rubbed the trans dipstick against the positive battery terminal. It was smoking badly, looked to be burning/turning to liquid but he started to put it back in the little dipstick holder thing anyway. As he was putting it back, I warned him not to but being a girl, he figured I didn't know what I was talking about. The darn thing broke at the contact point: right in the middle!

My question, after that long intro, is this: how the heck do I get that thing out?! Thanks, in advance, for your help!

PS We broke up right after that. How can I be happy in a relationship where a guy is so insecure he's got to try to prove his manliness all the time? I mean, literally, I could not do anything. Just shop (he wouldn't let me pay for anything but always complained he was short on cash), be pretty ("just smile" - if I hear that again I'll punch someone) and stuff (nails, etc.), so he could show me off. What the heck kind of life is that? Especially for a born and raised country girl like me. Looking cute is nice but you've also got to be self-sufficient or you just don't make it. Maybe getting full of grease but then using the orange/Gojo stuff to keep my longish nails clean intimidated him?

 

I'm going to stay away from the EX thing, and avoid using a dipstick reference. As for the broken metal dipstick...there is a magnetic tool that has a screwdriver handle at one end, a long spring-like shaft, and a magnet at the business end. ( I had one of these, but my son lost it.) If you can't fish the broken piece out with a tool like that, you will probably have to remove the dipstick tube from the tranny. That's the best I can come up with.
Good luck.

MR

 

Or take the car into have the tranny fluid and filter change. I think I would be hesitant to drive it though. Good luck!

-Matt

 

Most tranny dipstick tubes are held in with one bracket and not much more. Pressure and an O-ring hold it where it enters the transmisson. If the magnet doesn't work, you could always just pull the tube.

 

I think I have to go this route. It gets stuck coming around the bend. Unless there is a small version of the Grabber?

 

There is...but the only ones I've seen don't bend around corners. Sears sells a small one.

MR

 

I'll second pulling the tube. Just be ready in case fluid starts coming out. Hopefully it's not too akward to get at and put back in.

I've got an ex-fiance too. To make a long story short, we broke up for several reasons. She had commitment issues, and she was getting further and further wrapped up in her own little world to the point that outside of work she never saw any real people anymore. The things that mattered were playing online games and 'alone time.' Sort of reclusive or something.

 

Yea, its likely be the tube coming out.
I sure dont know this guy...but if he really does just take you down from the shelf to show off, and then putting you away like a doll so he can go out and be a man. You did the right thing. I was young and dumb...had the same attitude. Bad bad bad and unhealthy for everyone. Stick to your guns.

 

I was wondering if fluid would come out. It's pretty awkward to get at, if you ask me. The tube is way at the bottom, you reach in from the top but your left elbow would be on the battery and your right shoulder/head would be rubbing the hood. Oh well. Lessons learned.

Ahh, a net addict/junkie? Yes, the whole computer boom has it's good and bad sides. Sorry to hear that. Too bad you aren't closer. We could start an FTE Support Group.

 

Would attaching a strong magnet to the end of a piece of wire get down there? I don't know what kind of metal the dipstick is made of but maybe it'd hold on.

You south of SA or something? Last time I was down there I remember seeing plenty of '67-'72s and wishing I could've gotten a few parts I need off of them!

 

A strong magnet on a string might work but where do I get a strong one that's small enough to fit? Wouldn't it get itself attached to the dipstick tube too?

I'm waaaaaaaaaaay south of SA in the Rio Grande Valley. Well, at least 3 1/2 hours or so south anyway. My place is in the brush all those illegals wander through when they try going up north. No respect for fencing and trespassing signs. If they are going to let them stay, I wish they'd create a real route for them. I dislike finding trash and downed brush where they camped out. Some of them are mean and scary too - I carry a gun for more than just hunting.

 

Removing a GM dipstick is a no-brainer. As mentioned, there's usually one bolt holding the tube against the block. Once that's removed, the tube just requires a pull to lift it out of its seat. I'm not familiar with your specific car, but most transmissions won't leak when the tube is removed.

 

Magnets can be found cheaply online. One place I found is here:
http://www.wondermagnets.com/cgi-bin..._and_Magnetism
A strong magnet with a 1/3 to 1/2 inch diameter would probably do it.

As far as attaching it to the wire, of course there's the duct tape option. Tape going around the wire and covering the top of the magnet shouldn't be thick enough to interfere with the field if it's only 1 layer thick there. I don't think I'd try welding it to a wire, that'd probably break it. I wouldn't try an epoxy like JB Weld because I don't think it would handle the tensile load well (it'd come off). The more I think about it, the better good ol' duct tape sounds.

This is all assuming the tube is a good 1/2 inch around or something. If it's really skinny then your only option might be to pull it out. Of course, if the dipstick tube is also attracted to a magnet this won't work. And before trying this I'd take a magnet to the piece of the dipstick you have to make sure that it's attracted to it.

Too bad about all the people cutting through your land. I'd say try a deer fence, razor wire, or an electric fence but I guess somebody might just cut through or something. A friend of mine's dad has a bunch of land on the border towards Del Rio that they go hunt deer on and they have the same problem too. And they have to make sure the thing hiding in the brush is actually a deer!

 

Easy-

Genius ex-boyfriend caused problem? Genius ex-boyfriend should pay to FIX problem!

Or isn't life that simple?

 

In a perfect world, but in this case he might break 2 things for every 1 he fixes!