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How can I remove the oil dipstick tube from my 2001 Impala.

Tiny
REELBILL
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 150 MILES
Plastic collar on dipstick broke off and lodged down in the oil dipstick tube. This prevented dipstick from fully reinserting back into tube. I believe that the tube must be removed to force plastic out from the bottom.
3.8L engine
Monday, August 27th, 2012 AT 3:29 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
You are correct in your observation. The tube will come out by removing any support brackets then simplay pull and twist on the tube as it is sealed with and o-ring. When re-installing you should get a new o-ring and put oil on it so it does not pinch which would lead to a leak.
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Monday, August 27th, 2012 AT 3:35 PM
Tiny
REELBILL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Dr crank

Thank you so much for your promp reply. It appears to be a straight forward and easy repair.
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Monday, August 27th, 2012 AT 3:41 PM
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
It is pretty easy. Just be careful with the o-ring when installing it as they can get pinched easily.
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2012 AT 12:02 PM
Tiny
REELBILL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Well I removed the engine oil support bracket easily. But I was unable to dislodge the oil dipstick tube from the oil pan. I tried to pluck it out from underneath the car with a pair of Robogrips. No luck. I dont want to damage the tube as this may be a dealer only available part. I'm going to try again by removing the tube
support bracket and really yanking on the tube from the top along with alternating underneath the car to try and pull it out where it inserts into the pan. It appears I may have to remove the oil pressure guage to get leverage at the point of entry (tube into Oil pan).
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2012 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
Maybe try to get a screwdriver under the lip of the tube where it meets the surface and tap on it lightly in and up to get the dipstick to move.
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Tuesday, September 4th, 2012 AT 9:48 PM
Tiny
REELBILL
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I finally was able to pull the dip stick tube out of the block. It released after moving it back and forth and pulling on top. I used gloves and grasped tight from the top and pulled real hard until it finally released. After removing it, I used a cut straight section of a coat hanger to ream out the broken plastic dipstick collar piece. It fell right out. The o-ring near the bottom of tube looked intack so I just reinserted the tube back into the block. This was accomplished by alternating my position back and forth from underneath and then on top to make sure it was situated in the pan hole before shoving it back in from the top (standing over the car). I'll frequently monitor underneath the car any resulting leakage. There appeared to be no leaks afterwards. However, the Walmart oil change technician said that the pan was leaking when he performed a subsequent oil change and that it was 2 quarts overfilled. I hope the overfilling didn't damage the engine (it was driven about 200 miles overfilled, unable to check the with clogged tube). As for the alledged oil pan leak I haven't seen any spots on the driveway the pass couple of days. But I'll continue to monitor for that also. Finally I just want to say thanks Doc Crankenwench for your help about being careful with the o-ring the tip about moving the tube back and forth.
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Tuesday, September 4th, 2012 AT 10:33 PM
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
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Your vey welcome. I am glad it worked out and it is not leaking. The oil pan could be leftover oil from the leak. You might clean the area with brake cleaner and check it yourself and see if oil builds up. Sometimes oil leaks can happen in fromnt of where they appear to be as the oil gets blown back onto another surface. So look forward of the area if it continues to collect oil.
It is not good to overfill an engine much. Some are more sensitive than others. I think driving 200 miles isn't bad especially if you were not red lining the engine and driving it fast. I have seen people put an extra quart in older V8s and get away with it, but it is best to stick to the proper level. Of course the oil change guy is going to try so sell you work. Almost every oil pan leaks after some time and re-doing them does not mean they will seal very long. It sounds like you have enough mechanical know how to do the oil pan gasket yourself anyway. All you need to know is that the surface where the gasket goes must be clean and use just a little copper sillicone gasket material. Just a thin lay does wonders. Then you tightn the pan bolts evenly in a cross pattern starting in the center.
If you ever need anything else don't hesitate to come back as we are always here to help.
Take Care

Dr. C
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Friday, September 7th, 2012 AT 11:05 PM

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