Re: The dipstick broke inside the tube.

["content22207 <brobertson@xxxx>" <brobertson@xxxx>]

"Oil sump" is the tube where oil is sucked from the pan into the oil
pump. Should be protected by a hefty screen, not too fine a mesh but
stout enough to resist nasty bits that occasionally make their way
into bottom of an engine (at least on American blocks -- anyone popped
the pan off their PRV?). My concern wouldn't be sucking the end up,
but rather having it hit a crankshaft bearing as it dips into the oil.
Unlikely, but possible (I once had one hit a jamb nut that had fallen
through. Sounded terrible. Dented the pan, but everything survived OK).

Sometimes I scratch my head at these silver cars, but this time JZD
may come to your rescue. Frame crossmember is located BEHIND (in
front?) of the oil pan. Shouldn't be anything to interfere with
dropping the pan and fishing out your piece. You'll need a new gasket
or a tube of engine silicone to put it back (remember NOT to tighten
ever living mess out of the bolts -- pressure's on the other side of
the pump). Re-check the bolts periodically to ensure they stay snug.

Bill Robertson
#5939

>--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "mantrobax <ownerof@xxxx>"
<ownerof@xxxx> wrote:
> Ol' Murphy and his law came to visit me the other day.
> Oh evil, evil world...hehe.
> 
> I was messing about with the engine, refilling motoroil, checking the 
> level as I filled the thirsty beast of an engine up. All of a sudden, 
> while I was trying to put the dipstick back into the tube (without 
> excsesive violence) I could feel something snap. When I pulled the 
> dipstick out, the lower 3-5 centimeters of the dipstick was missing. 
> (cracked at the notch marking "lowest level of oil") 
> I had my hopes up and was wishing that the piece was still stuck in 
> the tube..., but no. It had fallen into the oilpan.
> 
> I have talked to some people and there should be no danger in 
> starting the engine. But of course you don't want a piece of metal 
> flying around in there.
> So I'll have to empty the "oil-sump" (dunno the word in english, 
> having the mother-tounge of the swedish-chef, hope you know that I'm 
> talking about), trickle the oil and use a magnet to see if I can find 
> it. Apparently the plug doesn't come with a magnet as standard in 
> this engine for those who wondered. 
> Of course I'll also have to change the oil pan gasket while I'm down 
> there.
> 
> The probable reason for the dipstick breaking must be that the tube 
> more or less looks like the letter "S" in 3D. Strange, I can't 
> imagine that's how it's supposed to be. 
> 
> Has this happened to anyone else?
> 
> Anyway, I thought I'd warn you all for this plainly ludicrous mishap.
> 
> So, check your the tube, and maybe replace the dipstick since the 
> metal could be fatigued. Thats my own layman diagnostic and remedy.
> PJGrady has got the dipstick. (I'm sure you can find it at other 
> places to)
> 
> Cruise well and take care.
> 
> Viktor Tilander #2949 Stockholm, Sweden