Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

[atomb]

Ok Im new here and just recently acquired a 96 1950 Capri Bayliner with an Mercruiser 3.0 lx . I went to check the oil today and noticed the neck of the dipstick tube that holds the dipstick had rusted off and was hanging by some a tiny piece of paint. I had to take the neck of the tube off the block and basically i'm left with just a hole in the block -How should I proceed. Any help would be greatly appreciated Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,....
I guess buying a new 1 would be a step in the right direction.....

 

[Don S]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

After you get a new dipstick tube, you might start looking for a way to keep your engine a lot dryer. Maybe some paint and corrosion guard. Can't imagine what your pulleys look like. Bet they wear out belts in a hurry.

 

[atomb]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

so i need to get the tube out with and tap remover and then buy a new one. Has anyone ever gotten one of the se tubes out . The hole is flush wit the block. i need to extract the dipstick tube -how do i do this?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

try threading a tap into whats left of the tube and pull it out
worst case I : drop the pan ,tap it out
worst case II: pull the motor , drop the pan

 

[atomb]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

no. 2 was not what i wanted to hear -I really want to avoisd that going into a new season- Any temporary fixes that could get me thru the season first?Thanks for the suggestions so far they are definetly helping.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

Any temporary fixes that could get me thru the season first?

Nope,.... Not really...

 

[wire2]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

The simple method will be tapping threads in the tube piece, then fitting a slide hammer to it. If/when you tap it, put grease on the tap first, that will hold most of the shavings to keep them out of the pan.

If you can't find an appropriate size tap, my next suggestion is to cut a slot in the tube with a jigsaw, (or a hacksaw blade ground thin to clear), then tap a sharp scratch awl or very small cold chisel beside the cut between the block and tube. The tube will "roll" towards the center, then grip the edge and pull it out with needle nose pliers. Again, a blob of grease will catch most of the shavings.

 

[atomb]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

Ill have a go at it this week and give an update -Thanks for the suggestions I really appreciate them.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

That's going to be tough to get out since it has a tapered press fit into the block.

Here's my suggestion, thinking outside the box... Clean/degrease the tube with carb cleaner or acetone and some swabs (gun cleaning kit) really good, no oil residue. Find out how long the remaining tube in the block is (piece of wire with L bend) and then drive a wood dowel into the tube so it's almost to the end, IE: 8 inch tube drive the dowel in 7". Dowel is to seal the tube closed. Get a long bolt or rod (rod scuffed up with file or heavy sand paper) that's smaller than the tube's ID and figure a way to hook it to a slide hammer (slide hammer $20 at Harbor Freight and should have an adapter for a bolt) Mix up some JB Weld (1/2 of each tube) and let it sit in the sun a little bit (not too long) so it's runny, then feed it down into the plugged tube. This might be a pain if you get it air locked so use a piece of wire to keep an air path in the tube. After the tube has a good amount of JB Weld in it (maybe 1/4 full) slowly push the rod or bolt into the JB Weld. (don't forget to connect the slide hammer attachment to bolt/rod, before inserting bolt/rod into JB Weld) Let the JB Weld cure 24 hours, attach the slide hammer, WHACK tube out.

If the bolt/rod breaks or pops free,,, see Bt Doctor's method #1 or #2

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

I would surely be trying one of these, first!

I just had to get a broken 1/8" pipe thread nipple out of my block (my oil pressure sending unit used to be attached to it)...and once it 'grabbed', it backed it out.

If it slips...no harm, no foul!

 

[atomb]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

fishrdan -that is out of the box thinking for sure -Im going to have read your post afew more times --I will def go the rocky road way first -thanks guys -This is a great forum with a good bunch of people I'm really impresssed with all the responses thanks again guys

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

Is there a threaded ring on the top of the dipstick where the oil pump would go on?
Yes would mean the tube goes down to the pan.maybe a coat hanger with a sharp bend to hook it

 

[atomb]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

I have to check tomorrow am but i believe it is threaded. Maybe the hanger option could work -ill let you know. The tube wouldnt be connected to the pan would it -I need to look at the merc book tomorrow. Thanks again

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

Bt has a good idea with the coat hanger, but from the DS tubes I've removed, I don't think 1 coat hanger would provide enough strength to pop the press fit, they were "IN" there. But,,, if you could make several of them (4-8?) to hook the bottom of the tube, to the exact same length (so they can all pull at the same time) and then fish them down the tube,,, and get them all hooked at the same time, you might have enough strength to pop the press fit.

What ever you do, make sure you don't deform the end of the tube/bend it or you will play ell getting it out.

Another thought on my "out of the box" idea, JB weld in a piece of uncoated steel cable, 5/16" cable would provide plenty of strength to pop the press fit. You could also make the cable into a slide hammer with some thought...

 

[atomb]

Re: Oil dip stik tube Rusted off

thanks guys for all the effort -I macgyvering the oil stick this season and ill post a pic when i do it .