Oil dipstick tip broke off

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09-08-2018 | 05:53 PM

ithaca1230

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Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2012

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From: Ithaca

Oil dipstick tip broke off

While pulling out the dipstick the plastic tip at the end broke off into the tube somewhere. Is this an issue? Should I be concerned or just let it sit in the oil pan?

Thanks

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09-09-2018 | 07:16 AM

DSMMH

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jun 2006

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I would leave it. It will float on the oil and should not get any where near the oil pump intake. You might get lucky the next oil change and it will drain out. Worst case is the oil pump grinds it up and it get trapped in the oil filter.

Ed

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09-09-2018 | 01:05 PM

housedad

Cargo Master

Joined: Mar 2005

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From: Mount Royal, NJ

Don't you just hate it when that stuff happens? you end up worrying about ti forever. I went out to check the oil one day last year, and the dipstick was gone! No sign of a stub or the stick in the tube. I even removed the tube to check if the stick had fallen down. No joy. I still wonder what happened to it.

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09-09-2018 | 04:03 PM

Delta1166

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09-10-2018 | 12:29 PM

ithaca1230

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Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2012

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From: Ithaca

I just ordered a new one. Will get it tomorrow. I had to change the hose that goes to the Bulletproof Diesel filter and changed the oil. last thing I did after oil in was check the oil level and I heard it snap when I was pulling it out. Just the way it goes sometime.

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09-10-2018 | 03:19 PM

Stewart_H

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Joined: May 2004

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From: Central Coast of CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSMMH

Worst case is the oil pump grinds it up and it get trapped in the oil filter.

Ed, with his 6.0L PSD, if that happened, he'd probably have a trashed HPOP and some (if not all) of his injectors would need to be replaced.

The diesels injectors are driven by high pressure oil so there can't be minute, plastic parts suspended in the oil or drastic, bad things can happen to a 7.3L or 6.0L diesel. Something would get by the filter (Murphy strikes) for sure.

Stewart

Edit: Sorry, I know that's a Debbie Downer situation, but thinking worse case scenario can help in the long run sometimes.

Last edited by Stewart_H; 09-10-2018 at 03:22 PM.

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09-11-2018 | 08:55 AM

ithaca1230

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2012

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From: Ithaca

So do you guys think I should drop the oil pan?

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09-11-2018 | 01:27 PM

Stewart_H

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From: Central Coast of CA

All kidding aside on the worse case scenario, would the plastic piece even make it into the oil pickup? Isn't it too big?

Stewart

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09-11-2018 | 07:45 PM

Tuquala

Senior User

Joined: Apr 2013

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From: Kennewick, WA

Haven't seen one in person, but the 6 leaker must have a screen on the pickup tube. Never seen an engine without one. So as Stewart has stated, it would probably never make it to the pumps!!! Simple science.

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#10

09-12-2018 | 09:34 AM

ithaca1230

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

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From: Ithaca

Thanks for all the responses!

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#11

09-12-2018 | 12:22 PM

pirate4x4_camo

Lead Driver

Joined: Apr 2011

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From: Northern California

If it were mine I would change the oil and get the piece out, If it didn’t Come out the first time I would put the old oil back in and keep the flow going until it washed out and I retrieved the piece. That said the pick up screen should/will stop it from entering the oil passage to the pump But if it were to enter the passage i think it would get stuck before the pump and likely block flow to the pump which would seize whatever bearing is first to get oil on a 6.0. #1 main bearing is my guesss without looking at the oil flow schematic that is just a guess.

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#12

09-12-2018 | 12:48 PM

PrescottIce

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Joined: Jul 2018

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From: Prescott, AZ

I'd drain the oil and use a strategically bent piece of copper wire through the drain hole to fish around the bottom of the pan.

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#13

09-12-2018 | 01:51 PM

TooManyToys.

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Joined: Dec 2014

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From: Jersey Shore

I wouldn't put a lot of hope in that it will come out by itself or fished out based on the collar of the 6.0L oil pan drain unless it's swirling in the vortex and broken smaller then the threaded hole. It may, or never.