Broken dipstick tube

FABIEN-HUG

MEMBER
2004 FORD MUSTANG
6 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
55,000 MILES

I have a Ford Mustang 2004 V6 and was replacing the cracker headers. At the end when I tried to put back the dipstick tube, it broke into the carter. Does anybody knows if this part of the tube (about two inches) can travel all the way down in the carter. I drained the oil and tried to check with a magnet through the draining hole but couldn't feel anything. Removing the oil pan is out of my competence since you need to lift the engine.

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

There's a little dimple on the tube so it can't go in too far. If it's broken below that dimple the piece could drop in further but it's doubtful it would cause damage There's a screen on the pickup for the oil pump. You might be able to remove the piece with a magnet through the drain hole.

If the tube is still in there, you should be able to feel the end of it by sliding a pick alongside the hole until it contacts the end of it. Use a can of carburetor cleaner with an extension wand to wash the oil off of the tube but leave any oil alone on the upper part of the hole. In fact, you might want to wipe a little grease on the hole. Mix up some epoxy and put it on a stick, then stuff that in the broken section of the tube. The grease on the hole will prevent any epoxy from sticking to it. Let the epoxy set up overnight, then pull the tube out with the stick.

Caradiodoc