Dipstick tube loose and leaks oil!

Need help. My dipstick tube is loose wobbly, at one time I had the bright idea to gob it with black rtv, still loose and leaks oil its not a mr gasket dipstick, just old GM

Its a tree fiddy (350) from the early 70s from a 71 gmc truck.

Do I need a replacement?? What can I do to fix it? Not interested in the latest lokar stick or chrome, want original looking.

Tell me what to do thanks!

Ps its driver side stick

 

You might try some JB Weld on the tube that fits into the block. JB can be filed, sanded for a tight fit. Be sure to clean off all the oil before JB Welding at the block and the tube. When it get close to the fit put just a little more JB and call it a day.

CRUISER

 

if you can pull it out of the block try getting some rod and expanding the tubing with it , just clean the tube and heat it so you can stretch it with the rod inside , to find out the size of the hole in the bolck use a drill bit with tape wrapped half way up id so it will not drop in the block , then you can either use a bolt the size or some rod and size it up . and Gm still sold the dipstick tubes last time I needed one

 

Truck and vans had a long dipstick and tube,check and be sure its really loose vs the bracket that is spot welded to tube down low near starter motor can brack the spot weld making a hole low in the tube were it will spit oil out at highway speed.

 

I dont think it spits it, but when I check the oil the tube slides all over and it definitely leaks oil.

 

They were a 2 piece tube there is a sleeve that presses in from the bottom side on the inside of the block. Most of the time that gets left out when an engine is overhauled.

Anyway JB weld is you best bet.

 

I agree with Pork******. There is a seperate tube about 10 inches long with a flange at the top end that is tapped in from the outside of the block and sticks down past the pan rail inside the oil pan. The flange seals off at the block and the dipstick tube fits inside the short tube and is a tight fit.

If the short tube is missing, just get a new one and tap it in. If it is broke off you will have to remove the oil pan and drive the remains out from the bottom. Either way try to avoid JB Weld or other such evil goop, it may stop the leak but it will always find a way to bite you later.

 

does it have the O ring on it?

 

Clean it up good,scuff with sand paper and go with the JB weld.

 

No o ring

I hate to jb weld its permanent lol

 

As was said before clean up and try to expand it a bit, and I've used loc***e with very good results.

 

Ok

No one suggesting a new dipstick tube?..

How should I clean the hole in the block?

 

measure the size and go to the gun store and get a br*** bore brush they are about $5 , a .45 will clean a hole up to 1/2 " you have to make a handle for it , I bought a cheap .45 caliber gun cleaning kit as the solvents are excellent for cleanig other stuff and I have the handle to attach the brush too . and I can use other brushes to clean out oils lines and such when I rebuild them .

 

Try some valve lapping compound around the tube. The grit should give it some grip. Add a small bead of RTV just below the flange where it seats on the block. Worked for me on a press-on road draft tube, 235-six.

Good Luck, Tim

 

I would look into that option. They are real cheap at the parts counter at any dealer. I've bought a few over the years.

They either get broken off or become wobbly due to manhandling during an engine installation or in the rebuild process.

Bob

 

Yeah just replace it. One trick from way back is to use a box end wrench that just slips over the tube as a driver. Tap on the wrench with a small hammer to seat the tube in the hole. It works a whole lot better than tapping on the end of the tube. I wouldn't waste a lot of time trying to restore a used dip stick tube.

 

yep cheep $16.95 they used to be a buck fifty!!

 

The end that goes into the block is rolled so it starts easily. I like the wrench tip. I always used a dull screwdriver and tapped around the necked portion very carefully.

Bob

 

Just a thought, don't ever use a Chinese dipstick. A friend of mine used one that went too far into the crank case and messed up his engine big time.

 

Im gonna try cleaning it and expanding the tube cause it'll flop in out sideways no problem.

Will keep you updated

 

I was wondering when someone would suggest this!

 

Pulled it out, cleaned the tube with wire wheel, the hole in the block with a que tip on a metal rod for cleaning guns witha tidbit of brake cleaner.

opened it up and couldnt get it back in the hole (no rtv this time), after about an hour i finally got it in with a washer and a bunch of 3/4" drive craftsman sockets lol

will let ya know if it leaks, its alot tighter, asked autozone if they could get GM dipstick, he said just chrome junk/****

 

So far I dont think its leaking, I'll check again tomorow sometime. I do have a leak at the nylon fitting for the oil pressure line. I bought a copper line kit @ autozone its the exact same thing as the nylon **** i got now but its copper not nylon-is this better/stop the leak???

thanks

ps its mechanical guage not a sender unit style