Stupid mistake........now what?

[jwmdnm]

I did not install a plug in the extra oil dipstick hole on my crate motor before installation and am now paying for it dearly.

When trying to clean off the silicone sealant to install a plug (now that the engine is in the truck and is leaking from the hole), a small piece of sealant (about the size of a large bugger) dropped through the hole, presumably into the oil pan.

What would you do? Drive it and hope for the best or drop the oil pan to find and clean it out?

Any info or opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

[ts71281]

If it's truly one piece, you could drain the oil and hope that it flushes out. I wouldn't want it in my motor but I'm Mr Picky.

[vanceman]

I would leave it, it shouldn't hurt a thing.

[geezer#99]

I wouldn't worry about it. Just pulled pan off my 250. Lots of little pieces of silicone in there.
Pump pick-up has a screen on it. Can't go anywhere. Piece won't disintegrate.
Have cleaned screens before. Always crap on them.

[Myself]

I agree also, leave it there and don't worry about it.

[69_C10]

Originally Posted by jwmdnm

I did not install a plug in the extra oil dipstick hole on my crate motor before installation and am now paying for it dearly.

When trying to clean off the silicone sealant to install a plug (now that the engine is in the truck and is leaking from the hole), a small piece of sealant (about the size of a large bugger) dropped through the hole, presumably into the oil pan.

What would you do? Drive it and hope for the best or drop the oil pan to find and clean it out?

Any info or opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Hey dude - No problem, don't worry with it. Just drive and enjoy.

[STOCKISH]

One small piece like that wont hurt a thing. Plug that hole and go burn the tires off that thing.

[jwmdnm]

I drained the oil (w/o warming up the engine) and nothing came out. Then I connected a small hose to a shop vac and tried sucking the thing out through the drain plug hole. Still nothing so it appears its in there to stay (unless I drop the oil pan which I really don't want to do).

Glad to hear that 5/6 recommend forgettin' about it. Sounds reasonable that the screen over the oil pump would block this or any other solid particulate from entering.

Anyone else want to weigh in on this?

Thanks!

[Jim_PA]

Buy a gallon or so of cheap oil and just flush it out.

Maybe it's laying in the bottom of the pan, and just needs a little extra push. If it worked, it might be worth the cost of the cheap oil. If it didn't work, I'd quit worrying too

[Northern lights]

No worries. As others have said, the oil pick-up screen with catch it and if it somehow gets past that, or a small piece of it gets past the screen, it won't get past the oil filter. That's what it's there for after all.

[Spray-Bomb]

One small piece should be ok, but if there is a lot it can clog the screen & toast the engine... ask me how I know

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by Spray-Bomb

One small piece should be ok, but if there is a lot it can clog the screen & toast the engine... ask me how I know

A small piece shouldn't hurt but as Spray-Bomb said a lot of it will clog the screen. I've got a 350 block sitting in the garage out of my brothers truck that had the screen plugged solid because someone went wild with the red silicone when putting the engine together.