End of dipstick fallen off - What now?

[flashman1207]

I noticed that the end of my dipstick (the bit where you actually measure the amount of oil) has fallen off (in the engine). I know that it is a press fit and not welded and was a bit loose some time ago so I re-pressed it (did a crap job though). Has anyone had this happen? Is it gonna screw the engine or will it just stick to the sump plug magnet?

[Bloodyaussie]

Oh bugger!!!!!!!

No advice from me but to say how annoying... and I would think it would just sit in the bottom of the sump.

[GQ TANK]

Are you talking about the long bit?, if so it should still be in the dip stick tube - with the bottom in the sump

You might be able to lever up the tube the dipstick sits in - it will be a mongrel job - consider pulling the starter?

On the rb30 the tube is a press fit, I'm assuming its the same for a tb42

Im not sure if the sump can be pulled of a TB insitu.

[AB]

Only one way to find out. I would be letting the car sit for a while, get some new engine oil ready and drain it out.

If its not on the sump then drain the oil and go fishing with a magnet or old speaker and pray it comes out.

[Dales300exc]

It will be heavy enough to sit at the bottom of the sump and cause no issue. Even if it were to float up to the pickup it will not get through the pick up. And if the crank happened to splash into it on the way past it would just push it to the side and it would sink again.

But if your really concerned just drop the sump and get it out.

[flashman1207]

Its a TD42 and its just the bit at the end of the dipstick (about an inch long). The engine seems to run OK (in fact just done a 1000km down South). Just replaced the damned oil so I guess could drain and re-use it..... Now where to buy a new dipstick?

[AB]

Its a TD42 and its just the bit at the end of the dipstick (about an inch long). The engine seems to run OK (in fact just done a 1000km down South). Just replaced the damned oil so I guess could drain and re-use it..... Now where to buy a new dipstick?

If your really quick you might be lucky.

Let the oil cool and undo the plug and right before the bung comes out you could take it out, remove end of stick and put it back in real quick...lol

You might only loose half a litre or so and just top up.

I check water contamination in tranny, gearbox and diffs this way and can release little bits at a time easy but don't need to take bung completely out like you need for this.

[Spotman]

This happened to my mates drift car. Luckily it ended up coming out with the oil!

[flashman1207]

AB, I'll give that a try.... thanks

[AB]

AB, I'll give that a try.... thanks

Messy job though, good luck!!!