so i was putting my headers on tonight and during the process when we were trying to pull the dipstick out for the motor oil it broke...there is still a little piece stuck in the hole and the rest of the dipstick broke off........u guys have any suggestions on what to do...or if its going to be real bad leaking and will it be bad for me to drive it for a couple of days b 4 i fix it??? also my buddy was telling me that i should just go to Home Depot and find a little pice of pipe to go into the dipstick and maybe weld it together????? any suggestions would be reallly good...i dont know what to do...beside buying a new one from the dealership which will rip me off!!!

 

It could leak if you use it like this, get a new tube it's not that expensive. Part number you need is 12551831 and is about $20, better than a spun bearing.

 

do u really think that i would have that much damage just from the broken dipstick...??should i be that worried

 

why risk it, its a cheap part to replace ...

alot cheaper then a blown motor or spun bearing ...

 

I would use a bolt extractor in that size to get a firm grip on whats left in the block then tap it out

 

I'm surprised you would even consider your buddy's cheap fix... Seems like it would be tough to weld first of all...also how would you know the correct length... I hope the welding isea was a joke...just purchase a new one, $20 is nothing if you could afford the headers. My starter housing snapped and I broke my gauge temp sensor during header install...just went and bought more.

Also, it was suggested you use a bolt extractor to get it out - sinced you thought of welding, im assuming some needle nose vise grips easily have enough to pull it out.

 

Take the starter off it will make it much easier to get the old one out and the new one in. If there is still a piece sticking out of the block then get some vice grips on it and rotate it out. I just went through this a couple weeks ago. Sand the paint off the tip of the new dipstick, it will make it easier to get in. I also used a tad of RTV towards the top where the dipstick seats on the out side of the block to ensure a good seal, probably overkill but oh well.

 

the thing is that the peice that is stickig out wwont come out...i mean im sure there is a way but i have been trying to get it off ...but ill try some more things and i will purchase a new one...i think thats the best idea...also is it smart to be drivin it like the way it is right now??

 

I see your on this board also

Looks like replacing it is the best move at this point.

 

im interested in how one might replace the dipstick... currently mine is a bit lose (not bolted to the block, i bent it in my header install and havent fixed it), and the handle is broken...

i havent driven it much since but i did my header install in probably october...

and maybe put 3000 miles on it since...

 

Its a PITA.. Read what I said above about replacing it and it makes it a little easier... it goes between the back 2 primaries on the headers. The bolt on the block is easy from under the car.. feel the surface to get an idea what angle the dip stick goes in at. I had my wife hold wiggle it in while I aligned it from under the car. Hope that helps

 

You should be OK driving it if the distance is short - bring extra oil with you...try vise grips, pull HARD. Is it broken where it starts to bend? Does it bend at all up, giving the oil a better chance not to spill as much? If you have a tapered rubber stopper that fits, try to plug it up if you must drive it. Don't fill it with anything, debris/excess may fall into the the dipstick.... The best method I can think of to sealing it while you drive would be to take a couple uninflated balloons, fit them over the broken part of the tube, and then duct tape like crazy wrapping 100% it to prevent leaks. Now..I don't know what affect the heat/oil will have on the ballon....so if you can think of something more commonly available that you have with better resistance, go for it.....I don't think you'll have problems under limited driving conditions though

EDIT: Maybe wrapping it in newspaper and taping that up is a better idea...if that were to break down and make its way into the dipstick it would not be as severe.

 

Some will caution against it but I cut about 2 inches or so off the end of my dipstick tube when I reinstalled it after the headers were in. Its bolted to the block so it won,t come out, and it makes it tons easier to get back in.
I have about 25k on my header install now with no issues.

 

do i have to drop the pan to put a new one in...i heard from some u have to and otheres u dont need to>?????

 

Nope you dont have to drop the pan... I didnt when I did mine.. It helps to have 2 people though one under the car directing it in and the other wiggling it side to side up top..