Subliminal

So I noticed today when I went to get in my truck after work that there was more than the usual dribble of oil on the ground. Huh. Drove home, popped the hood and when I pulled the dipstick out of the tube, I could tell something was wrong.

The tube broke off flush with the block.

Must have busted it when it was super cold this morning, working that friggin extension in for the block side starter bolt.

GRRRR!

Now I don't know what the hell to do. I'm thinking of plugging the hole for right now, but can't figure out how to work something down in there without pulling the starter again.

Not that pulling the starter is hard work at this point (practice) but it's cold and getting dark out.

GRRR!

Crossy's son

You just can't win.


I'll take that headache off your hands for $1000

Subliminal

HA!

Riiight.

It's true though...fix the vibration, clutch slips.

Fix the starter, break the dipstick tube.

So, I managed to somewhat plug the hole, which is good. Used one of those rubber or plastic cone fittings from a vacuum pump kit...the kind for doing brakes and the like.

I found a thread on 1st gen where a guy used a tap and then a bolt and pulled the metal tube out of the block...that's cool. Now I just need to get the part, pull the starter again, fix it, put it back together, then pull the tranny and do the clutch.

GIT-R-DONE

I'd probably be at the bar by now with your luck !

Thats probably one of the only things I dont have in the garage is a spare dipstickother than me.

kensmachine

I tapped mine and used a small slid hammer to get the broken part out. to keep chips from going into the oil pan pack the tap with grease. Ken

ofcmarc

Try one of those fluted easy outs and once you get the tube piece to spin try to pry up on the little ridge that stops the tube from going in too far. Once you get it out a little ways, you can slide a small open end wrench under the same lip to help pry it all the way out while spinning. No chips to fall into the pan that way. Just make sure to clean the area real well prior to starting.

Worked great when I did the same thing on an old slant 6.......

Subliminal

Thanks, guys!

I guess this is a dealership part only at this point, eh?

BC847

A 12v is a 12v.

Seems like any 12v dip-stick and tube would work . . . . . ?

2nd Gen, agricultural, industrial. A 4B would work also I think.

d22019

Its not a hard job,we do it all the time due to driver abuse.The way Cummins told they guys at work to do it was to get a punch and drive it the rest of the thought and the little piece will come out during the next oil change. I believe the dipstick kit was around $20 at cummins.

Subliminal

You know, I was thinking about that, actually...although I was thinking of using a magnet to get it over towards the drainplug.

Subliminal

I just called my local Cummins shop (never been there before, but they are local...lol).

They said I needed to give them the engine serial #, which of course I don't have off hand. Grrrr.

Subliminal

Well I got the # and they ordered it. $50 for parts...apparently there's 4. I just bought a whole new tube.

dzl_damon

yup. I keep the engine serial numbers of both trucks on my phone having learned from the same experience. Except the fellow locally to me is rather grumpy and made it very clear not to bother come in if I didn't have the number!

Crossy's son

I called GM the other day about buying a dipstick tube for my chevy and they wanted the Vin of the truck...................

stupid. they used the same dipstick for like 15 years

G1625S

I know the 2nd gen dipstick is longer. Mines broke and wanted to use the 1st gen one I had lying around and it didn't even make it to the pan through the tube. I'd give ya my 1st gen tube, but it's broke too