Oil Tube replacement.

[tkoforpresident]

I had a hack mechanic install my headers and he basically bent the oil dipstick tube under the header on the drivers side and there is no room to pull out the dipstick. Now i can't check my oil ever and this will be very unappealing to customers when i decide to sell my car. I want to replace it. I found the tube itself on ebay for around 14$ wich is great but i don't know how it installs into the block and if it is hard and something i cannot do myself etc. I was thinking about asking a shop to do it, but if it's just a matter of draining the oil, removing a few bolts from underneath the car and installing a new tube than i'll do it myself but i don't even know how the tube stays in there, is there a gasket or what?

can anyone help me out here.

thanks

max

[IDoVoodoo]

Re: Oil Tube replacement.

i just pulled hard on mine and it popped out. then just push the new one back in.

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Oil Tube replacement.

i just pulled hard on mine and it popped out. then just push the new one back in.

sweet, isn't there a bolt that needs to come out first?

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Oil Tube replacement.

i was pretty sure there is a bolt that holds it in =(

or is that for the bracket that the tube actually goes into?

because all i need to do is get a new tube cuz mine is bent out of the way of the header.

[VTJosh]

Re: Oil Tube replacement.

I always thought that they just slid in. Maybe spread some loctite around the base when you put the new one in?

[3.4grapeofwrath]

Re: Oil Tube replacement.

The tube just goes into the hole no seals or sealers. There is only one nut that holds it in and it is a bracket connected to an exhaust manifold stud.
It might be tough to get the old one out, try twisting it side to side or at the base of the tube try and pry it up with a screwdriver or chisel.

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Oil Tube replacement.

The tube just goes into the hole no seals or sealers. There is only one nut that holds it in and it is a bracket connected to an exhaust manifold stud.
It might be tough to get the old one out, try twisting it side to side or at the base of the tube try and pry it up with a screwdriver or chisel.

so will i have to take out that nut to pull the tube out?

[Skinny]

Re: Oil Tube replacement.

Yes. The bracket is or should be welded to the tube. Once that nut or bolt is removed then you should be able to pull the tube out, but I'll warn you, it probably won't be easy to pull out. There is a small lip on the tube at the base where it slides into the block. If you can get a screwdriver or prybar under it and pry it up that will probably be the best way to get it out.

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Oil Tube replacement.

Yes. The bracket is or should be welded to the tube. Once that nut or bolt is removed then you should be able to pull the tube out, but I'll warn you, it probably won't be easy to pull out. There is a small lip on the tube at the base where it slides into the block. If you can get a screwdriver or prybar under it and pry it up that will probably be the best way to get it out.

IS THIS SOMETHING I SHOULD HAVE A SHOP DO, JUST FOR THE SAKE OF HAVING IT DONE RIGHT, I'M SURE THEY WOULDN'T CHARGE TOO MUCH BUT IT WOULD BE SO MUCH EASIER WITH IT IN THE AIR.

oh and is this nut on the bottom or the top of the oil dipstick tube, cuz my bro had one on the top of his tube but he has a camaro and i don't have one on the top and i have a firebird, but wonder if its at the bottom of the tube.

i put headers on so technically there should be no bolt right cuz there is no exhaust manifold anymore right?

[Blizzard242]

Re: Oil Tube replacement.

TKO with your running streak, i'd say have a shop do it. It's not hard but let's face it, you'll run into a problem.

[Skinny]

Re: Oil Tube replacement.

TKO with your running streak, i'd say have a shop do it. It's not hard but let's face it, you'll run into a problem.

To answer your question, TKO, the bolt or nut holding the tube should be near the top. Start at the top of the tube and follow it down until you see a bracket attached to it. The other end of that bracket should be attached to something, unless it was removed when the headers were installed.

And also when I said it wouldn't be easy, I meant it's usually physically hard to pull the tube out. I didn't meant to imply that it's technically difficult.

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Oil Tube replacement.

i guess i'll have a shop do it, thanks

how much u think they would charge?

[Skinny]

Re: Oil Tube replacement.

I would expect maybe around .5-.7 hr. In any case it definately shouldn't be more than a 1 hr charge.

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Oil Tube replacement.

yeah that seems about right, i'm gonna get a new tube and have that installed with some other things i need done.

[tkoforpresident]

Re: Oil Tube replacement.

just bought one new from GM, so once that gets in i'll have that installed.

yay.