Oil dipstick end broke off
 

I have a 1972 GMC Jimmy with a 5.7L. I went to check the oil and found that part of the dipstick has broken off. I was trying to find a dipstick? What is the length of the original dipstick?


thanks
Jeff

Re: Oil dipstick end broke off
 

There are a numerous different length/styles of dipsticks that could be in your motor. How long is the tube from the block or pan. Knowing that length someone could give you a length that would be appropriate. You can verify it by draining the oil and refilling it one quart low to check the add mark. Then add the last quart to check the full line.


Ummmm... What about the missing piece? Is it still in the pan???

Re: Oil dipstick end broke off
 

Agree, that would be the first concern. Jeff, the big question is whether you've previously seen this very dipstick before and it was not broken? (i.e. is the the first time you're checking it, maybe you just bought it I mean). If you know it's being broken is a "new" thing - I'd definitely drain the oil and look for it. If I couldn't find it, I'd consider dropping the pan. If it's big enough that it can't fit thru the pump screen, then it will likely lodge there or float around the pan - but it would drive me nuts personally and it does pose at least some risk to the engine.

Re: Oil dipstick end broke off
 

The missing part is still in the pan. It must have broke off last month when I checked the oil. I checked the oil last week and the oil didn't touch the dipstick and looked a little closer and saw I lost several inches off the dipstick. I haven't drove my Jimmy since October.

Re: Oil dipstick end broke off
 

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Re: Oil dipstick end broke off
 

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Re: Oil dipstick end broke off
 

Wow. Glad to hear you haven't driven it. What a pain... I'd bet you can get a stock dipstick off of someone parting a truck on the parts board pretty quickly.

Re: Oil dipstick end broke off
 

I wouldn't be able to go further without dropping the pan and retrieving the missing piece. The paranoia of it getting ground into small slivers by the crank and rods and going through the oil pump would be too much.
I would make a trip to the wrecking yard with the old one and see if I if I could locate a match to start. But I do like strolling around wrecking yards.:lol:

Re: Oil dipstick end broke off
 

Most would be surprised to see all the junk in the bottom of their oil pan on an original motor.

I would stick a large speaker magnet on the pan in case I had to drive it. Agree that the pan definitely needs to be pulled.

Re: Oil dipstick end broke off
 

I spent a couple of hours fishing with a magnet this morning and was able to find and get out the broken piece. Now I have to find a new dipstick.

Re: Oil dipstick end broke off
 

You know it probably broke off because the lower dipstick tube is missing from the block.