Oil dipstick tube stuck!!!!! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

sokol · 01-07-2021, 08:42 PM

In the middle of header install. Drivers side header is in, moved to the passenger side, and the part that I thought would be one of the easiest turned out to be the hardest. The dipstick tube is stuck and yes, I did remove 15mm bolt that holds it to the head. Tried pulling it, sprayed with pb bluster, even heated up the area with the heat gun, but the thing wouldn't budge. I don't want to break off the tube, and have a piece of it stuck in the block, but I am also running out of options. Anyone had this problem? Any ideas on how to get it out are appreciated!

Camaro__ss · 01-08-2021, 04:38 AM

That’s weird. I don’t remember it being difficult to remove, but it has been a couple years. Does it wiggle or twist at all? Maybe wedged under exhaust manifold or something?

102SS · 01-08-2021, 05:47 AM

My 99 TA was a bit of a pain so I gave it a bit of a twist with some pliers.

I gripped it a low down as I could and rocked it back and forth while pulling up and she came out.

Good Luck with it.

joshnmn · 01-08-2021, 12:45 PM

Hmm, interesting.

It should be pretty easy. It’s not a tight fit. I would wiggle it a little while pulling up. There is an oring that you might wanna replace after heating it up.

sokol · 01-08-2021, 01:07 PM

Thanks for reply everyone! I pulled the starter and it looks a little rusted right at the base where it goes into the block. Honestly not sure how much twisting it will take before snapping, but doesn't look like I have any other options. Anyone had it break before?

gtstorey · 01-08-2021, 01:14 PM

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...light=dipstick

CamaroCracka · 01-08-2021, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sokol

Thanks for reply everyone! I pulled the starter and it looks a little rusted right at the base where it goes into the block. Honestly not sure how much twisting it will take before snapping, but doesn't look like I have any other options. Anyone had it break before?

Did not break one on a GenV, but did break one on an LQ4, but it was old and had been removed several times.

I seem remember it being a little tough to remove on the vert (it was over 70k), but a little wiggle and a lot pull got it out. There is a little lip where it seats in the block, so maybe a thin stubby screwdriver might help pry it up, but be gentle and don't choose a thick blade. Hell, maybe a knife.

sdynak · 01-08-2021, 06:54 PM

There are tools to help extract - https://shop.snapon.com/product/supp...ctor/PMXPTE120

https://www.freedomracing.com/4-8l-5...RoCM-MQAvD_BwE

Some use regular & self taping bolts -

sokol · 01-09-2021, 07:35 PM

Thank you everyone who has replied, I was finally able to get it out all in one piece! The o ring is almost nonexistent, I think the combination of long track sessions in the summer, and Boston salt roads in the winter completely rust welded the oil dipstick tube to the block. So, for everyone who will have similar issue in the future this is how I was able to get it out.

1) You'll have to take the starter out and move all the wires out of the way.
2) Soak the place where the tube goes into the block with penetrating fluid. I used a whole can of PB blaster. Spray it often and try to spin the tube with vice grip pliers from the bottom. You can apply some heat to the area, but I did not find it particularly useful.

3) Once the tube spins enough to where the manifold restricts further movement, attach vice grip pliers to tab that holds the tube to the head. I don't recommend attaching it to the opening where the dipstick goes, because it will deform and after a couple of strikes with the slide hammer, it will come off and you'll hit the inside of your hood with the top of the slide hammer, leaving a dent. (ask me how I know...)

And there you go, eventually after a couple of hard strikes with the slide hammer it should come out.

01-07-2021, 08:42 PM	#1
sokol Drives: 2015 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 8	Oil dipstick tube stuck!!!!! In the middle of header install. Drivers side header is in, moved to the passenger side, and the part that I thought would be one of the easiest turned out to be the hardest. The dipstick tube is stuck and yes, I did remove 15mm bolt that holds it to the head. Tried pulling it, sprayed with pb bluster, even heated up the area with the heat gun, but the thing wouldn't budge. I don't want to break off the tube, and have a piece of it stuck in the block, but I am also running out of options. Anyone had this problem? Any ideas on how to get it out are appreciated!

01-08-2021, 05:47 AM	#3
102SS waiting at the tree Drives: SIM 2010 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Niagara Falls Posts: 3,263	My 99 TA was a bit of a pain so I gave it a bit of a twist with some pliers. I gripped it a low down as I could and rocked it back and forth while pulling up and she came out. Good Luck with it. __________________ 2010 2SS/RS A6 ZL1 Rims 60ft 2.03 13.08 at 107.82 (4/28) 2009 Pontiac G8 3.6L the DD

01-08-2021, 04:38 AM	#2
Camaro__ss Drives: 2013 L99 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 185	That’s weird. I don’t remember it being difficult to remove, but it has been a couple years. Does it wiggle or twist at all? Maybe wedged under exhaust manifold or something?

01-08-2021, 12:45 PM	#4
joshnmn 2&THEHIT Drives: 5th Gen Camaro; 5th Gen Ram 3500 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Garner, NC Posts: 1,015 View My Garage	Hmm, interesting. It should be pretty easy. It’s not a tight fit. I would wiggle it a little while pulling up. There is an oring that you might wanna replace after heating it up.

01-08-2021, 01:07 PM	#5
sokol Drives: 2015 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 8	Thanks for reply everyone! I pulled the starter and it looks a little rusted right at the base where it goes into the block. Honestly not sure how much twisting it will take before snapping, but doesn't look like I have any other options. Anyone had it break before?

01-08-2021, 01:14 PM	#6
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,181	https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...light=dipstick

01-09-2021, 07:35 PM	#9
sokol Drives: 2015 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 8	Thank you everyone who has replied, I was finally able to get it out all in one piece! The o ring is almost nonexistent, I think the combination of long track sessions in the summer, and Boston salt roads in the winter completely rust welded the oil dipstick tube to the block. So, for everyone who will have similar issue in the future this is how I was able to get it out. 1) You'll have to take the starter out and move all the wires out of the way. 2) Soak the place where the tube goes into the block with penetrating fluid. I used a whole can of PB blaster. Spray it often and try to spin the tube with vice grip pliers from the bottom. You can apply some heat to the area, but I did not find it particularly useful. 3) Once the tube spins enough to where the manifold restricts further movement, attach vice grip pliers to tab that holds the tube to the head. I don't recommend attaching it to the opening where the dipstick goes, because it will deform and after a couple of strikes with the slide hammer, it will come off and you'll hit the inside of your hood with the top of the slide hammer, leaving a dent. (ask me how I know...) And there you go, eventually after a couple of hard strikes with the slide hammer it should come out.