installing oil dipstick tube

[bigdoug42]

Hi all, I recently R&R'd a 2.4 Twin cam, (Head gasket), and while it was apart, replaced the timing chain, water pump, tensioner, all gaskets, seals, o rings, and hoses. Started it up and it runs great, the one problem I have is the oil tube for the dipstick.. I could not get a new one to go back into the block opening for it. (broke the old one off getting it out) So I rigged one up with a slightly smaller section of fuel line permatexed inside the tube with a washer and o ring on the out side, again permatexed to the ledge that this dipstick goes into. This worked for about a week, then let go, dripping oil all over the place. I am going to purchase a new one from GM parts east, and try it again. My question is, do the make a tool like say, a slide hammer, that is designed for installing these? It appears to be a press fit, unless there was a production change made to that opening in the block, and I just happened to be grabbing the wrong size from the junkyard. Any ideas at this point are really appreciated, I've got to get this car up and running.

[[ion] C2]

I have no idea how you broke your dipstick off in the block. It's held in by a simple rubber o-ring.. I've had mine in and out probably 30+ times..

I don't know how you're going to get it out. Try to pry out the leftover tube piece that's in the block I suppose..

[heineck]

Dude. It just slides right in. Howd u break it

[bigdoug42]

The old one was rusted in place, and the ones a salvaged at a junkyards were also all rusted in and a bitch to get out. I did have one out of the 4 I've pulled come right out, like you say. It makes no sense. Also I managed to get the broken piece out.

[MMGT1]

Guys it happens more than you think. It is actually quite common here at the dealership. Sell them to the guys pretty often

[bigdoug42]

Thats what I understand also. Do the techs have, or does GM have a procedure or install tool for this that you know of?

[MMGT1]

The techs get really, really pissy, spray it with Cheeta Grease, and then thread a bolt into whats left and use that to pry the little stub out. They always seem to break right at the block too from what Ive seen. Does not look like fun at all, they hate it too bud... lol

[bigdoug42]

Got this fixed, it was apiece of the old tube broken off inside the opening, got it out, new one slid right in. Damned hard to tell that piece of metal was stuck in there though. FWIW to anybody else with this problem, get a new tube, not a junkyard one, they are like 12 dollars plus shipping from GM Parts east, and come with the o ring installed.