oil dipstick wont go in - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

soocrispy89 · 09-24-2009, 01:52 AM

hey my buddy masterdisaster and i put a new set of edelbrock headers on his 89rs today and after we got everything back in we couldnt get the oil dipstick back in all the way. its still sticking out about 3 inches when we getit in as far as it will go. what could be the problem? maybe bent line or something. any help would be greatly appreciated.

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BigWhiteGTP · 09-24-2009, 02:34 AM

Hahaha, I remember that happened to me after a header swap. I knew that my engine always had enough oil......I cut it. Totally forgot about it until now. Good times.

soocrispy89 · 09-24-2009, 12:35 PM

well that works too haha. we ended up just leaving it for now. we took a test drive last night and there was no leaks so hopefully it will stay that way. the only problem is now since it isn't in all the way the dipstick itself doesn't work cause it doesn't even touch the oil.

burnout88 · 09-24-2009, 03:09 PM

Are you sure some of the old tube is not stuck in the block? Do you have the complete tube?

If you do have the whole tube it may just be a metal burr on the tube or old paint on the tube causing it not to slip in. It is a tight fit.

Try this, Pull it back out and sand the tube with some fine grit sand paper. Clean off the old paint and metal burrs and then spray it with a little WD-40 and it should slip right in. (make sure you also sand the tip of the tube). I have had to do this a few times on dipstick tubes after a removal and reinstall. Also you may need to rotate the tube slightly will pushing it in.

Let me know if it works, it should.

birdtojag · 09-25-2009, 12:50 AM

I had the same issue with mine when I put the headers in originally. I just decided to use a flexible dipstick from Lokar. it fits fine now and have no issues with leaks or anything. Would have used the original tube, but it broke after a few time of trying to get it in (this was back in 2001)

BluFBdy · 09-25-2009, 04:37 AM

i dont get it, the headers fit in nicely but i removed the dipstick for some playing room and i went to put it back in and the thing wouldnt fit.... we spent like 2 hours messing with it then finally said screw it, its in most of the way but its not all the way up to the lip on the dipstick tube, i need to get one of those flexible ones but money isnt the best thing right now

burnout88 · 09-25-2009, 09:12 AM

Follow my instructions!!

Try this, Pull it back out and sand the tube with some fine grit sand paper. Clean off the old paint and metal burrs and then spray it with a little WD-40 and it should slip right in. (make sure you also sand the tip of the tube). I have had to do this a few times on dipstick tubes after a removal and reinstall. Also you may need to rotate the tube slightly will pushing it in.

BluFBdy · 09-26-2009, 03:32 AM

well the dipstick is bent on the bottom of it, how i dont know but im gonna go JY one when i get the chance (gotta pay rent first lol) its not kinked but its got a slight bend down low past the lip thats supposed to sit against the block ill give it a shot but i think ill be needing a new one

burnout88 · 09-26-2009, 08:10 PM

If you need an new one. They are only about 15 bucks new from the dealer.

kkingsrulee · 09-27-2009, 12:04 AM

Same thing happened to me when I installed my hooker 2055's.

I had to bend the dipstick tube out of the way to make room for the passenger header.

I guess I'm just going to change the oil every 6 months.

Does 4 1/2 quarts sound good? What do you guys recommend I add after I drain it fully?

burnout88 · 09-27-2009, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkingsrulee

Same thing happened to me when I installed my hooker 2055's.

I had to bend the dipstick tube out of the way to make room for the passenger header.

I guess I'm just going to change the oil every 6 months.

Does 4 1/2 quarts sound good? What do you guys recommend I add after I drain it fully?

Mine takes 5 quarts even.

birdtojag · 10-01-2009, 07:55 PM

5.5 quarts is what the dealer recommends, but 5 quarts is still ok.

91 1LE · 10-01-2009, 11:48 PM

You can tap it in with a hammer if you get an open-end wrench thats that same size as the tube. Put the wrench on the lip that sits flush with the block and tap the wrench with a hammer.

5 quarts of oil with a new filter unless you buy the longer filters that have a little more capacity.

BluFBdy · 10-03-2009, 09:52 PM

ah i never thought of that! ill give it a shot

kkingsrulee · 10-04-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91 1LE

You can tap it in with a hammer if you get an open-end wrench thats that same size as the tube. Put the wrench on the lip that sits flush with the block and tap the wrench with a hammer.

5 quarts of oil with a new filter unless you buy the longer filters that have a little more capacity.

I don't understand what you're talking about, are you talking about tapping the dip stick in? or?

BluFBdy · 10-05-2009, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkingsrulee

I don't understand what you're talking about, are you talking about tapping the dip stick in? or?

for the most part yes

91 1LE · 10-05-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkingsrulee

I don't understand what you're talking about, are you talking about tapping the dip stick in? or?

I was talking about the dipstick tube. If you look at the bottom of a fully installed dipstick tube there is a little flange against the block. This is the surface the you hammer on with the open-end wrench. The wrench needs to be the the same size as the tube so it can sit on the flange. Then use the hammer on the wrench right next to the tube. I can take a pic if you still don't understand.