I need an educated opinion on this problem.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2022
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I need an educated opinion on this problem. In a totally freak accident I shot the thin red plastic tube from a can of carb/parts cleaner into the oil drain hole in the pan while I was cleaning off the pan after an oil change. It managed to make it across the pan and settle into an area where it can be seen by my scope but is stuck into a position I can not reach.
The LS3 is installed in a tube framed car with NO room to drop the pan and also will require a complete disassembly of the front of the car and removal of coolers and removing the wiring on the motor because the ECU was relocated inboard and there is a lot of "hard wire" besides the two main plugs, not to mention all the wiring across the radiator support, radiator, fans and two other coolers.
In other words, removing the motor/trans is the last case scenario want to get into.
The motor has a custom aftermarket aluminum rear sump pan, windage tray and screened pick up. I built this car from scratch so it's not like I can't do it, just that at my age, 75, and working alone it's a real bummer and hard on my body.
I may end up pulling it if "no other way" but does anyone have an informed opinion on just what the chances are that this will kill my 50Kmile motor?.
The LS3 is installed in a tube framed car with NO room to drop the pan and also will require a complete disassembly of the front of the car and removal of coolers and removing the wiring on the motor because the ECU was relocated inboard and there is a lot of "hard wire" besides the two main plugs, not to mention all the wiring across the radiator support, radiator, fans and two other coolers.
In other words, removing the motor/trans is the last case scenario want to get into.
The motor has a custom aftermarket aluminum rear sump pan, windage tray and screened pick up. I built this car from scratch so it's not like I can't do it, just that at my age, 75, and working alone it's a real bummer and hard on my body.
I may end up pulling it if "no other way" but does anyone have an informed opinion on just what the chances are that this will kill my 50Kmile motor?.
Last edited by Jims 67; Jul 19, 2022 at 01:25 PM. Reason: added a thought
I have found way worse stuff in oil pans than a plastic straw, so I personally wouldnt worry about it. You might could get a piece of wire in there to slowly pull it out though? like welding wire or something
I'd commence to pouring oil into the engine and draining with hopes that the red straw will work it's way out but I really don't think it's going to waste the bearings or anything by being in there.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2022
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tricky.... Thanks for the replies! I have flushed the pan with both carb/parts cleaner and a quart of alcohol but its stuck off to the side at 90 degrees to the oil drain and nothing seems to get it out of the crevice its lodged into. Used a small hose attached to a large shop vac hose to get through the drain plug opening and wiggled it around the inside of the pan a bunch of times but no go and although I can see it off to the side with my scope I can't seem to get close to it. Thought about just running the new oil through with the drain plug out but I can't see that dislodging the tube when the three other attempts with cleaner, alcohol and vacuum have not moved it. Going to just put the plug back in and then stop by any local church, make a donation, ask for divine intervention and just hope he helps out non believers ;-).
It is a tiny tube and since it came attached to a can of carb/parts cleaner I'm pretty certain it stable and won't just disintegrate and mix with the oil. I'll do another oil change at a hundred miles or so anyway just to see if it's moved due to the oil slosh with vehicle movement.
It is a tiny tube and since it came attached to a can of carb/parts cleaner I'm pretty certain it stable and won't just disintegrate and mix with the oil. I'll do another oil change at a hundred miles or so anyway just to see if it's moved due to the oil slosh with vehicle movement.
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It won’t hurt a thing. Run it. I have a tool that would grab it however. It’s a flexible cable with a claw on the end, that’s operated by a push button on the top of it. It’s designed to reach into holes such as a drain plug, and grab stuff. I wouldn’t worry yourself about this. Send it.
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It won’t hurt a thing. Run it. I have a tool that would grab it however. It’s a flexible cable with a claw on the end, that’s operated by a push button on the top of it. It’s designed to reach into holes such as a drain plug, and grab stuff. I wouldn’t worry yourself about this. Send it.
TECH Regular
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IF you leave it in there, you could see what happens with another one of those straws if you put in in some boiling water or even heat some oil to around 225F. Its not likely to melt from chemical composition, as those straws are often used for spray oil and worse stuff anyway.
Here's an example of the claw grabber tools that can get in places like this. (Also really good to fish wires through places you can't fit your hand..)
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/oes-25292
Here's an example of the claw grabber tools that can get in places like this. (Also really good to fish wires through places you can't fit your hand..)
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/oes-25292
Last edited by Che70velle; Jul 20, 2022 at 03:31 PM. Reason: Non sponsor link…same tool, only magnetic end also.
IF you leave it in there, you could see what happens with another one of those straws if you put in in some boiling water or even heat some oil to around 225F. Its not likely to melt from chemical composition, as those straws are often used for spray oil and worse stuff anyway.
Here's an example of the claw grabber tools that can get in places like this. (Also really good to fish wires through places you can't fit your hand..)
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/oes-25292
Here's an example of the claw grabber tools that can get in places like this. (Also really good to fish wires through places you can't fit your hand..)
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/oes-25292
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
I have the same tool but it's not any good for this. The little spray straw from the cleaner is sitting at 90 degreed from the entry angle of the drain plug along the same side of the pan so it's a 180 degree in and turn back t reach it and it's in a crevice to boot.
It is a tiny spray straw I'm not even sure it could grab even if I could get the tool to where it is.
It is a tiny spray straw I'm not even sure it could grab even if I could get the tool to where it is.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
The straw is like 3/32" thin and the only way in is the drain hole. You can not see the straw without snaking a scope in with the shaft bent and then just on the edge of the view. Tucked right in at the hardest place to get to. I tried spraying compressed air, carb cleaner, alcohol and bent tie wire. Nothing working so I
m going to put in the plug and just hope it's not a future problem. Don't want to hurt the LS3 but if it go's bad I'll have a reason to slip in a more powerful unit ;-)!
m going to put in the plug and just hope it's not a future problem. Don't want to hurt the LS3 but if it go's bad I'll have a reason to slip in a more powerful unit ;-)!
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 196
Likes: 72
From: Grand Rapids, MI
It wouldn't worry me a bit. Last fall while removing a rusted out oil disptick tube on my very high mileage 07 suburban, the base of it broke off in the block. Despite all of my efforts with easyouts, reverse and standard drill bits, and many other methods I just decided to push the broken off end into the oil pan. After nearly a year of daily driving and mercilessly and maliciously beating on this vehicle I have had no adverse effects.