I managed to drop the dipstick flange into the oilpan when I used the coat hanger method of fixing the flange leak. Removing the engine was not an option for me because my truck will not fit into my garage and i did not want to do it in my driveway. I had recently bought a Ridgid SeeSnake ($200 at home depot) to help with all of my hobbies and decided to use it to try and retrieve the flange. I first drained the oil and stuck an 18 guage thermostat wire through the drain hole to see if i could see it with the SeeSnake. With the Seesnake and a little patience I was able to locate the Flange, O-ring and 18g wire that I stuck through the drain hole. I then put a small hook on the end of the 18g wire and retrieved the o-ring through the drain hole. Next, I cut a 4' piece of 18g wire and made a loop in the end of it to grab with the hook attachment on the end of the Seesnake. It took some time but I was able to grab the wire and pull it through the top hole. After securing the top side of wire, I then manipulated the flange with combo of a piece of 12g wire (slightly curved to draw the flange closer to the bottom hole) and a 4' piece of 18g wire with a long skinny hook on the end of it. I was able to get the hook through the hole of the flange and out of the bottom side of it. I then located the wire coming out of the bottom side of the flange through the bottom hole (had to move the flange around alot) and tied it making a loop through the flange. I then tied the bottom side of the wire going through the top hole to the looped wire on the flange giving me control of the flange from the top and the bottom. I then pulled the flange to the top and stuck the coat hanger back into it and used a 18g wire hook as backup. Making sure that the flange was secured, I then cut the loop wire and replaced the o-ring and flange nut. I then gently pulled the cut wire through the drain hole making sure that I got it all. In all I was under the truck for about 6 hours but some of that was trying other ways to get it done and some of it was beer time so it can be done alot quicker. Sorry for the long post but maybe this will help someone out in the future. Thank you to all who have shared information on this website. With the knowledge that you guys have shared, I have been able to save alot of money and time working on my truck.

 

Ninja skills pay off! Congrats, job well done, and WELCOME to FTE!

 

Welcome to FTE.

I'm tired now, that was heck of an ordeal. lol. Glad you fished that out. Joe and I like to fish too.

 

Welcome to FTE. I'm impressed with your fishing skills!! Nice save!

 

McGyver skills to the rescue. Nice job.

 

Thanks guys. I left out all of the parts where I was cussing and hitting or kicking random objects. I would rather hear the sound of my ex-mother-in-laws voice everyday than to ever have to hear the life-draining sound of that flange hitting the bottom of the oilpan again.

 

No doubt.. I would have turned inside out with swear words> O MaN!

Nice job fishing.

 

Just when you think that nothing new can go wrong with our trucks, someone comes up with a new problem. Great job on the repair and documenting the process, Krazy. Like Rick said, I got tired just from reading the post.

And welcome to FTE!

 

You might want to reconsider that.

 

You are todays official GOD of Fix It. I've done the hanger trick once. and I was sweating bullets the whole time. I bow to your patience. Barney

 

Welcome to FTE.
You have been here since 2005?
Let me guess, you are a pro fisherman!

 

Nice job of fishing. Man that made me feel bad for a minute. For future attemps at this just cram a 1/2 inch round wire or a bottle brush throught it and tie the end of the brush with a coat hanger to the frame and this wont happen. I had to do the flange repair and was worried about dropping it in the pan. Glad to hear that it can be done the way you did it though. WHEW

 

All I can say is WOW I am impressed. !!!