Broken Dipstick

[Regalrunner]

I have a 1990 Regal. The boat is powered by a 305hp GM V8. The sleeve that the dipstick slides into was broken off. It appears that the sleeve slides through the block from the inside. Is there a fix without tearing down the engine? I have thought about cutting the dipstick to accomodate the length of the sleeve that broke off, but I don't have the missing piece to know how much to shorten the dipstick. <br /><br />Any suggestions?

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Broken Dipstick

Hi there, Regalrunner. Are you saying the sleeve looks "pressed" into the block? Is there no grommet on the sleeve that screws onto the oil pan? Your idea of cutting down the dipstick sounds good. You could drain all the oil, change the filter(s), and then add exactly the right amount of oil that you know is right for that engine. Then insert the dipstick and mark your high and low marks. You should then be able to see how much of the stick you can cut off. Make sure you run your engine after filling with oil to fill the filter before you make the marks. Hope this helps.

 

[Regalrunner]

Re: Broken Dipstick

Fantastic.....I have mulled over this problem for about two months. <br /><br />Thanks for taking the time to give the solve!!!!

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Broken Dipstick

Folks,<br /><br />Please be advised that Regalrunner requires as much help as you can give him. Full of energy, good ideas and boundless enthusiasm with a high mechanical aptitude, but low experience and training, he can provide for interesting entertainment to watch. An excellent operator and owner (only person I know who instills the same confidence driving a boat as if I were to drive it myself. Great boater, but no mechanic), he has potentially the worst luck of anyone you have ever met. Please provide as much and detailed assistance as possible. <br /><br />Thank you in advance,<br /><br />Regalrunner's brother,<br /><br />Pointer

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Broken Dipstick

Oh…this is going to be fun.

 

[flashback]

Re: Broken Dipstick

Hey Regal, well it looks like your going to have to do a complete tear down to fix the problem .. Actually I'm not sure how the 90's model is fitted but my 80's model has a dipstick tube that is pressed into the block from the outside not inside. I would get a replacement tube to compare with your old one and then pull the old one out and pop the new one in. I did it on my engine with no problems, put a little permatex on it and tapped it into the block with a plastic hammer......good luck

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Broken Dipstick

Hey Regalrunner, I think they make pills for that nowadays...

 

[mkast]

Re: Broken Dipstick

On some installations, the angle of the tube must be very precise, if it is off a little, the tube won't fully seat, or even enter the block/pan, giving you an erroneous oil capacity reading on the dipstick. If you can, remove enough cowling/floor boards to try to get an eyeball on the existing installation. Use a light an mirror if you have to. The dipstick tube is usually bolted somewhere to the block/cylinder head/exhaust manifold. The more interfering stuff you can remove, the easier the installation will be. If everything works out, the tube should almost slid in with little resistance, some wiggling and rotating. It would be very easy if the engine was on an engine stand, use your imagination to try and duplicate this in the bilge. Tough, but very satisfying when completed correctly. <br />Good luck, take your time, remember, the next guy who will service this boat engine might not know the dip stick has been altered, and fill the engine to the "FULL" mark, which can lead to problems. Oil blowing out the breather, into the bilge, possible fire condition.

 

[Regalrunner]

Re: Broken Dipstick

I would like to extend my gratitude for the rather unsolicited testimonial from Pointer 94. If I can't fix it with a hammer, I am pretty much stumped. huh huh huh... <br /><br />That being said...when looking directly into the hole where the shaft used to be, there is still the remanent of the shaft inside and I am afraid this is going to drop into the oil pan. In addition, when looking at the the hole from the front of the engine, It points to to the 2 o'clock position, there is an identicle second hole approx. 1" down pointing to the 4 o'clock position. I have both of these hole plugged, but I can not figure out what the second hole does. Time to pull out the hammer I guess. <br /><br />I am going to take a closer look tonight and will see if there is any chance at removing the peice. <br /><br />Thanks to all for your advise. Hope all have a safe and fun boating season.

 

[DJ]

Re: Broken Dipstick

Regalrunner,<br /><br />It's pretty unusual for a dipstick tube to be pressed in from inside.<br /><br />Typically, they just seat inside a hole in the block and are seated with an o'ring.<br /><br />Have you tried to pull it out?<br /><br />Get your "genius" brother to do it. <br /><br />That way if it breaks, you can blame him.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Broken Dipstick

Love to help but my head will be jammed in my own bilge tonight.... And when you are in that position you never know where your head can end up.

 

[Regalrunner]

Re: Broken Dipstick

Fixing my dipstick....about $50.00<br /><br />Getting a reverse burn on my brother....priceless.<br /><br />Thanks DJ, I owe you one.