Well, I ran into an issue today. There is currently about a 3/4inch piece of the dipstick tube sitting in my oil pan, as it snapped off, and pushed all the way through. Would it be safe to drive to a shop so they can drop the oil pan and get it out? Or would it get sucked up by the oiling system? I'm thinking its too large to get sucked up, but its not something I want to risk. I already have a new dipstick, and installing it will be no problem. I'm just not sure what to do. Dropping the pan involves a bit more work than I was hoping to do, but I can do it if need be.

 

You should be taking it in to the dealer. What's your mileage?

 

almost 30,000. It snapped off during my SC install....guess the stock one doesnt fit with the SC manifold....

 

Oh, so you did get the S/C on, that changes going to the dealer...

 

lol. exactly. I just need to know if its safe to drive to a shop (about 6 miles) or if i should drop the pan myself.

 

There is only one way to really find out. scary!

 

lol...not quite the response I was looking for...

 

just drop the pan yourself, they will rape you on something like this if you take it somewhere.

 

hey, suprised no one has said this yet but find or go buy a nice sized strong magnet... slide it around on the pan to make sure you pick it up and then leave it on while you drive to the shop!

 

i had this happen with a family members sentra.

May I ask what exactly is down the tube? Is it just metal?

We ended up removing it by blasting compressed air into the crankcase breather. this made it pop up enough for us to use a fasioned hook to grab the small hole that it had on the end to pull it out.

Another popular solution is to use superglue on the end of a pencil or chopstick. But this depends on what exactly is down the tube. Because this method relies on some of the plastic being down there.

Dropping the pan is not cheap. I forgot the exact quote we got but it was enough for me and my dad to take an evening to devote to getting the thing out.

Also she had no problem driving around with it like this. She went to the dealership, a good 12 miles, then back. then to our house. and the dipstick didnt move. Dealership was a waste of time, in fact they made it go further down and also squeezed the dipstick hole as well in an effort to get it out.

 

just drop the pan and be safe

 

well....i tried dropping the pan just now... Drained the oil, took off about 4 bolts, and when I saw where the 5th was, I realized I can't do this myself. So...sadly, Im going to need to go out and buy some oil, a really strong magnet, then finish my installation, drive it to a shop VERY CAUTIOUSLY, then theyll drain the 1 day old oil to remove the pan....really sucks.

Anyway, anyone know where I can buy a REALLY strong magnet?

 

have any old speakers around you dont need... also position the magnet off towards 1 of the corners... im pretty sure your engine has a screen on the oil pick-up so it no way will suck it up... but you want to drive at really low rpms so when the crank is swinging and splashing threw the oil it wont knock it off and get lodged somewhere in the rotating assy, thats the issue... so position the magnet off to 1 side or the other not in the middle... you should be fine... just cruise that bitch and dont go past like 2500rpm just lug it all the way there **** the traffic behind you if there is any! theyre not paying 3k for a new motor

 

The pickup won't pull something large like that, you'd be fine.

Also, the magnet thing probably won't work, the pan is cast aluminum, nothing to stick to.

Drop the pan yourself, if the subframe is in the way loosen it enough to get to the bolts. You can support the engine and unbolt the mounts from the subframe, then lower the subframe down to get the clearance you need.

 

i have a magnetic drain plug from zzp while im changing my oil so i dont lose it i just stick it to the pan... it sticks... it sticks really good... the pans not aluminum, the block and head are. and if it is aluminum its got another metal mixed in it allowing magnets to stick... try it out if you dont belive me

 

Cool, I'll have to try that. I did put a magnetic plug in last time I changed the oil, I'll try that.

 

I'm fairly sure the passage is big enough for it to get sucked into. I can't believe you can't get the pan off cause we just took one off a 2.4L and it took all of 5 min.

 

I wish I could help you out, if only I was closer. I would advise you to call a tow truck and have it towed down there. Sure it'll cost you another $75 or so but really, is getting the end of a dipstick lodged somewhere it's not supposed to be worth it? If you're not comfortable with dropping the pan cut your losses and have it towed. Be smart about it. I would try the magnet trick as well but I would try it with a long reach magnet instead. Try going up through the oil drain with it to see if you get lucky and pick it up. Your oil pump will not pick it up because of the screen on the pickup tube but it's the other rotating parts that go through the sump I'd be worried about.

 

i was going to recommend that too, but i didnt know if it would fit out the hole but looking at it i think it deff will!

op

if you cant pick it up with the telescopic magnet try getting a magnet to drag it over closer to the drain hole then go after it... this is all worth a shot if you ask me!


especially cause you already drained the oil out!

 

this is my issue. It looks like part of the frame is preventing me from fully removing a bolt on each side, possibly more (i just stopped after I saw it was preventing me from moving that one). Im not quite sure what your saying about the subframe though... I'll give it another go tomorrow morning and see if I can get it off, but I need to unbolt my transmission mounts too, as the rear auto transmission mount bolts directly to the oil pan (on the ribbed strong side) and must be removed to get the pan out. Damn this is a pain....I'm including some of this in the How To...

 

Make sure to go buy some squeezable gasket maker Casey if your dropping the pan.

 

good call steve. I'll pick some up while I'm out getting some new oil.

 

so, i got all the bolts out, and the pan isnt falling... Its stuck with that gasket maker stuff, and i cant break it off. Ive hit it with a rubber mallet and got nothing so far. Any ideas? Its kind of a hard angle to wedge a screw driver in there...

 

long skinny magnet or, if im not mistaken most of all oil pans now adays have magnets at the bottom to catch **** like this, idk about the cobalt but it may be something to look into.

 

its just stuck like a *****

keep hitting and prying.....