Dipstick is stuck in the tube
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Dipstick is stuck in the tube I just bought my first ls1 car a few weeks ago. The previous owner mentioned that the dipstick is stick in the tube; and it is. I cannot get the dipstick to pull out.
I want to buy a new tube and dipstick, but I'm having trouble finding anything online or at local parts stores.
Anyone know where I can pick this up. How hard is it to swap? Do I need to pull the oil pan off to change this, or can I just unbolt it from the side of the block and pull it out?
I want to buy a new tube and dipstick, but I'm having trouble finding anything online or at local parts stores.
Anyone know where I can pick this up. How hard is it to swap? Do I need to pull the oil pan off to change this, or can I just unbolt it from the side of the block and pull it out?
I just bought my first ls1 car a few weeks ago. The previous owner mentioned that the dipstick is stick in the tube; and it is. I cannot get the dipstick to pull out.
I want to buy a new tube and dipstick, but I'm having trouble finding anything online or at local parts stores.
Anyone know where I can pick this up. How hard is it to swap? Do I need to pull the oil pan off to change this, or can I just unbolt it from the side of the block and pull it out?
I want to buy a new tube and dipstick, but I'm having trouble finding anything online or at local parts stores.
Anyone know where I can pick this up. How hard is it to swap? Do I need to pull the oil pan off to change this, or can I just unbolt it from the side of the block and pull it out?
You can try the stealership and check cost. They can be a PITA or it was for me when I swapped the old one from my LS1 to the 408. Basically, just unbolt it from the block and find something to pry on the lip of the tube where it enters the block. Something like a panel clip remover would be nice that way it pulls evenly on both sides instead of a screwdriver just yanking one side at a time up.
The P/N for the tube is 12551577 and the level indicator is 12551581
You can try the stealership and check cost. They can be a PITA or it was for me when I swapped the old one from my LS1 to the 408. Basically, just unbolt it from the block and find something to pry on the lip of the tube where it enters the block. Something like a panel clip remover would be nice that way it pulls evenly on both sides instead of a screwdriver just yanking one side at a time up.
You can try the stealership and check cost. They can be a PITA or it was for me when I swapped the old one from my LS1 to the 408. Basically, just unbolt it from the block and find something to pry on the lip of the tube where it enters the block. Something like a panel clip remover would be nice that way it pulls evenly on both sides instead of a screwdriver just yanking one side at a time up.
I just bought my first ls1 car a few weeks ago. The previous owner mentioned that the dipstick is stick in the tube; and it is. I cannot get the dipstick to pull out.
I want to buy a new tube and dipstick, but I'm having trouble finding anything online or at local parts stores.
Anyone know where I can pick this up. How hard is it to swap? Do I need to pull the oil pan off to change this, or can I just unbolt it from the side of the block and pull it out?
I want to buy a new tube and dipstick, but I'm having trouble finding anything online or at local parts stores.
Anyone know where I can pick this up. How hard is it to swap? Do I need to pull the oil pan off to change this, or can I just unbolt it from the side of the block and pull it out?
Hmmm, do we even know what engine the OP is referring to? There are numerous part numbers for the different body styles...
I'd try removing the upper fixture bolt and pulling the entire assembly out. Of course, that may not work either if the bottom of the "stick" is wrapped around something inside the pan...
I'd try removing the upper fixture bolt and pulling the entire assembly out. Of course, that may not work either if the bottom of the "stick" is wrapped around something inside the pan...
Trending Topics
If it could be bent, it can be bent back. Maybe hooking a slide hammer to it, but you should be able to somehow pull it out. What is it going to hurt if something hit it hard enough to bend it?
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Teching In
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
My dip stick would not come out when I first purchased my car. I was able to get the dip stick out by pulling and twisting the dip stick at the same time. I discovered that the dip stick was a two piece design that was riveted together, and that the tube had been bent over more flattening it out at the bend. With it being flattened out more the rivet was catching inside the tube.
This is a really annoying problem. People post questions but don't tell us what car/year it is or the engine.
OP, we can help you more accurately if you told us what it is.
Make a signature that lists what you have.
Try twisting the dip both ways while pulling real hard.
OP, we can help you more accurately if you told us what it is.
Make a signature that lists what you have.
Try twisting the dip both ways while pulling real hard.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
. The tube came out no problem, but putting the new one in was kind of a pain, not terrible with two people though. Thanks for the input everyone. 
My trans dipstick was stuck. I tried pulling on it as hard as I could and twisting it, but it wouldn't budge. After messing with it for a bit, it finally move a little and I could see the rubber plug at the top of the stick so I put the tip of my knife in there and pried it up and it came out. The rubber plug was kind of stuck against the tube because it was dry. I put some grease on it and now it comes out perfectly.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 17
From: So.Cal.
My trans dipstick was stuck. I tried pulling on it as hard as I could and twisting it, but it wouldn't budge. After messing with it for a bit, it finally move a little and I could see the rubber plug at the top of the stick so I put the tip of my knife in there and pried it up and it came out. The rubber plug was kind of stuck against the tube because it was dry. I put some grease on it and now it comes out perfectly.
