Went to check oil level and dip stick along with housing pulled out. Went to reinsert and saw big sparks so I pulled it out immediately.

The sparking was inside the engine block - I'm sure it wasn't touching anything external. I'm wondering how costly this would be - the housing of the dipstick seems to have separated from the block and came out still attached to the dipstick...

I then disconnected the battery and tried to slide the dipstick and housing back into place, reconnected the battery and engine would not start.

I again disconnected the battery and removed the dipstick with housing, reconnected the battery and engine started normally.

Engine is a '73 with dipstick on driver side...

Any suggestions or advice? Much appreciated, thanks a lot...

Jonathan

 

Disconnect the battery, drop the starter out and inspect the wires going to the solenoid. Probably some damaged wires or fusible link at the starter solenoid connections. Leave the battery disconnected until you identify the problem to prevent a possible fire.

 

You probably shorted the dipstick tube to the starter. Check it for holes burned into it. Install with the battery disconnected and be sure you have clearance to the starter terminals/wires. Put a bolt into the open end and tap with a hammer to seat the tube.

 

X3 check your starter wires. Or possibly you hit the horn relay stud when installing.

 

Thanks, much appreciated...

 

Thanks, so it's probably a tube that has to be inserted and tapped into place and then I can place the dipstick safely into the block and oil reservoir? Thanks again...I'm new to this stuff...

 

Jon, the tube that came out has to be inserted, and tapped in,

 

From what I can tell, it looks like the inner sleeve of the dipstick tube is made of copper and it has broken - leaving some of the sleeve in the engine. It looks like it can't be re-tapped into the block as some of the tube/sleeve is still in the engine. Question... where are there electrical connections if the oil dipstick and its housing/tube are not electrical components? Yesterday I tried placing dipstick tube into place and got sparks, tried the same after disconnecting the battery and engine wouldn't start until removing the dipstick (then reconnected the batt.) and its tube. Then engine started once dipstick removed and battery reconnecte - also heard a ticking sound after starting engine - sound not there before this dipstick problem. Are there some electrical contacts on the way to the oil pan/reservoir where oil dipstick is situated?

Thanks for the info, trying to understand what is going on with this seemingly unrelated set of issues...

 

It isn't copper. The stock tube is one piece and is pressed into the block. People frequently break them off attempting to remove them, then try to silicone them in place. You need to remove the stub in the block with a slide hammer then get a new tube and carefully install it.

 

Thanks for the info., thought it was copper due to the colour but I suppose it could be an after market replacement from previous owner or discoloured from heat...would maybe explain what I could see with a flashlight looking into the block and seeing sheered / broken metal. I'll take it to a shop - much appreicarte your insight & experience.

 

Just went through this on a friend's 1970 350. The P.O. had broken the tube when installing the headers. Took all of 30 seconds with my slide hammer to get the stump out of the block. If the shop says the pan has to come off, find a different shop.

 

Thanks very much for that info., very reasurring finding out it should not be a catastrophic problem...

 

Just installed one in my 68, do not waste your time with a cheap "specter" or other chrome tube, you'll bend it. get a oem replacement for a few bucks more.

 

a chrome spectre dipstick had a slightly larger bulge where it went in to the block, I measured my old tube bulge and filed the spectre tube bulge to about th esame OD. IIRC i used a small wrench at the bulge to insert the dipstick w no issues. enigne was out of the car that method might be more difficult in the car....

 

I bought a dipstick and tube from Fusick for my 403 and had a hell of a time getting it in. The bulges required a lot of filing. Took almost an hour to get it in, but I know it's not coming back out anytime soon. My motor was also out of the car. I can't imagine doing this with the block in place and the exhaust manifold installed. YMMV.
Tim

 

Thanks to all for the great info., any ballpark est. for cost to do it right the first time at a shop? This would be beyond my abilities so I'd rather pay to do it right... Thanks again!!!

 

had a similar problem on a 74 cutlass - my dipstick tube was rusted and when inserting the dipstick it could touch the battery connection on the starter (+12) and ground to the block....making cute sparks.

if you are not too concerned about appearance, you can use brake or fuel line from advance, cut and file to fit

dont dismiss the easy out method too quickly and if all else fails, help it into the pan and use a mag tool thru the drainplug to get the broken part (too many years doing this stuff gives one too many plan-b's!)

 

Thanks, I might try that after having a shop look at it but looks like it's more involved than a simple replacement...

It seems like the engine starts up (when engine is warm) with difficulty since the sparking and/or not having a dip stick. Could the electrical contacts that made the spark be damaged? Seems like I always manage to end up with starting issues, not fun...

 

Anyone know of an Oldmobile specialist in Vancouver Canada? Feels like a wild goose chase getting anything done...don't want to drive without dipstick tube entact...

Thanks.