Dipstick Problem

S

savignr

Member
May 10, 2008
82
Manhasset Bay NY
Boat Info
2003 320 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 6.2L Merc V-drive
Hi all , I went to grab the Yellow Dipstick hand to check the oil the other day and suddenly I find the pull tab in my hand and no rod. The metal must have fatigued over the years and only the rubber was holding. I tried to grab the tiniest piece of bare metal that I could see with a needle nose but it slid down the shaft about a inch or so and thats were it sits today. I was planning on looking at it when the boat is on land...
Anyone ever run into this problem or a have a suggestion on how to get it out..

Thanks ALL
Ray
 
First, I am not familiar with the 6.2 construction so I'm not sure where the dipstick tube terminates, but if you run the engine with a loose dipstick in it, it is possible that the remaining part will slip down into the oil pan and get caught up in the rotating assembly......i.e. crankshaft, rods, pistons, timing gear/chain etc. If that happens, your $30 broken dipstick can turn into a $5000 broken motor very quickly.

Most Mercruiser engines are built so the dipstick tube can be removed...some are pressed in to the skirt of the block, some have threaded fittings. Just remove the tube and pull the dipstick out of it and re-install the tube. The Merc parts list shows the tube and dipstick as separate parts, so the tube is removable, most likely with a threaded fitting.
 
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I would purchase an extendable pencil magnet. I have one and mine is thin enough to fit down the dipstick tube. It may be powerfull enough to grab the dipstick to pull it up so you can grab it with some pliers.
 
Not sure, off hand, how to try and fish it out. Have to think about that.

You could cut off the top inch or so of the tube, but then the new dipstick would be too long (of course, stuff some paper towels into the dipstick tube to keep shavings out). But, then I guess you could just cut the new stick down by the EXACT same amount and re-hash it.

Maybe just turn (by hand) a screw (not a bolt, the screw has a tapered end to help bite into the stick) into the tube to sort of "jam" the dipstick against the side of the tube? At least until you're able to do as Frank suggested above.

Actually, doing this "screw" thing might be enough to grab the stick and pull it out as the threads bite into the stick a bit. The stick will flex a bit as the shape of the screw tries to conform the stick to the shape of the tube. That will provide a little extra grip/tension against the screw threads.

The magnet is a good idea, but I think there will be too much resistance for the the magnet - especially as it's only going to attach to the thin edge of the stick. Worth a shot, though.

Just a couple thoughts.
 
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How about stealing a pair of the Admirals' tweezers?:smt014
Or as a stretch- go to a medical supply place or find some hemostats- they're thinner than scissors and clamp down for a secure hold.
 
fwebster said:
First, I am not familiar with the 6.2 construction so I'm not sure where the dipstick tube terminates, but if you run the engine with a loose dipstick in it, it is possible that the remaining part will slip down into the oil pan and get caught up in the rotating assembly......i.e. crankshaft, rods, pistons, timing gear/chain etc. If that happens, your $30 broken dipstick can turn into a $5000 broken motor very quickly.

Most Mercruiser engines are built so the dipstick tube can be removed...some are pressed in to the skirt of the block, some have threaded fittings. Just remove the tube and pull the dipstick out of it and re-install the tube. The Merc parts list shows the tube and dipstick as separate parts, so the tube is removable, most likely with a threaded fitting.
Click to expand...

The 6.2 is on a 350 block if that helps.

Break

I have to go down to the boat this weekend. I shall check if it looks like a press in.
 
I'd take Frank's route and just remove the tube. There may be a bracket attaching the tube to the block with a bolt. Remove the bolt, and try pulling on the tube while wiggling it. You should be able to tell right away if is going to come out. If not, try unscrewing it like Frank said. Should be a 5 minute job.
 
I have removed similar item like this form inside pipe by putting a length of SS tie wire along side it and twisting it like a plumber snake. It wrapped around the item and I could pull it out. With an engine if the wire breaks off you will need to remove the oil pan and find the wire or you could damage the engine. Your dealer has probably had this happen before I would start there. On 3.8V6 OMC the dip tube went to the bottom of the oil pan as it was used as a suction to remove on the engines you could have similar.
 
I haven't looked to see how the dipstick tube is attached but according to this diagram it looks like it's threaded.
http://www.perfprotech.com/store/assembly/Oil-Pan-and-Oil-Pump,11581-120.aspx which is good.

I have to look once this weather blows thru but I know I won't have much room to work with and I assume I’ll have to drain the oil first if I remove the tube. I like the idea of the hemostat in conjunction with two Vise Grips. I plan to compress the tube were the bottom of the dipstick is about a 2 inch down just enough pressure to hold it. The first Vise grip will hold the neck of the dipstick in place as I try to attach the hemostat. The second vise grip will be about an inch below that with a little more pressure to ensure it will never slide below that when I remove the top Vise Grip.

I also may try some dental tools or even a fishing hook. If I get enough pressure on the dipstick I can slide a hook down the side and rotate the hook and hope the barb will bit the yellow rubber neck and allow me to pull it out.

Thanks for your input, anyone see a problem with my approach.
I also believe I have TWO Dipstick tubes on each engine, one on each side. Can anyone confirm?
 
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You could also try hooking up an oil change pump and starting the pump. The dipstick should get pulled up with the oil and then you can pinch it in the rubber boot that connects to the pump tube.
 
From the parts diagram you found, there appears to be one threaded fitting on the pan and one bracket near the top of the tube. DOn't make this harder or more epensive than it needs to be........take the tube loose and push the dipstick back out enough to grab it. I don't believe you are going to "squeeze" the tube enough to hold the dipstick without damaging it beyone use which means you are going to have to take the tube off anyway.

Also, it is most likely that the oil level in the pan is below the point where the dipstick tube enters, but you can tell how high on the pan the tube goes in. If it is near the bottom, you will need to drain the oil.
 
I would not pinch the tube unless you plan to replace it. The level of oil is below the point where the tube enters the block/pan. The dipstick itself will bottom out on the bottom of the pan worse case. It will not get tangled up in anything rotating. The least expensive is going to be retreiving it through the top of the tube somehow. I like the idea (if hemostat won't work) of putting a wire in and twisting several turns, hoping to entwine the dipstick. It should pull out relatively easy.
 
I got to the boat today with Needle Nose Pliers, Hemostat, Tweezers, Dental Tools and Vise Grips in hand . I didn't pinch off the tube which I was planning to attempt, I thought I would try using a very small "V" shaped Dental tools on my first go. I slid it down the tube, angled it, pushed it into the Yellow rubber and pulled out the Dipstick .... I thought that I was going to waste a good hour or two fishing it out, instead it took me 3 Minutes..

Thanks for all your Help everyone!
Ray
 
Sounds like you went "fishing" and hooked yourself a dipstick! Good deal:smt001
 
Lazy Daze said:
Sounds like you went "fishing" and hooked yourself a dipstick! Good deal:smt001
Click to expand...

Seriously, since there was some rubber on it, he could have straightened out an Eagle Claw, long shanked hook and probably pulled it out too. Note to self, check the dipsticks next spring....
 
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