Help...broken oil dipstick caused engine failure - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

nicke · 12-09-2009, 04:52 PM

So I have figure out what happened to my 350 on my 71 C20. The dipstick wasn't the correct one for the engine, it was too long. I am not sure what it is out of. As I was driving I noticed a power loss for a second then a loud bang, and the engine gave out. I coasted to the shoulder and the engine wouldn't even turn over...it acted as if it was siezed. Upon inspection, there was no external damage, and I tried to check to see if there was oil in it. When I pulled the dipstick out, I noticed that it had been broken off inside the engine.

What damage might I have caused? Crank?...everything???
Has anyone ever heard of this happening?

Thanks for your help with this.

mclairmo · 12-09-2009, 05:08 PM

Time to pull the pan and check for damage. A loud bang, loss of power and failure to turn over can't be a good thing.

cdowns · 12-09-2009, 05:12 PM

i doubt a broke dipstick caused any problem like that//i've pulled pans on quite a few good running motors to find broken off dipsticks that were in there for long periods of time causing no damage

**LockDoc** · 12-09-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

i doubt a broke dipstick caused any problem like that//i've pulled pans on quite a few good running motors to find broken off dipsticks that were in there for long periods of time causing no damage

The thing is if the dipstick was too long for the pan (as he stated in the first post) he would have been running it low on oil all the time and the result may have been destruction of the engine... The broken dipstick may have been caused by internal parts flying around inside the pan.

LockDoc

69GMCLonghorn · 12-09-2009, 05:43 PM

As stated above, pull the pan, bend over and take it in the shorts!

nicke · 12-09-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69GMCLonghorn

As stated above, pull the pan, bend over and take it in the shorts!

Yea, no kidding.
I will be replacing the engine, but just wanted to know what I might be finding, and if my current one is a total loss.

71tahoe · 12-09-2009, 06:03 PM

It's never a total loss. I'm sure someone is looking for a boat anchor.

Take pictures of the carnage, we love pics.

PowerPro · 12-09-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71tahoe

Take pictures of the carnage, we love pics.

c10addict · 12-09-2009, 06:36 PM

Ive heard of it happening... Good luck, hope its not too bad!

unclewatts · 12-09-2009, 10:18 PM

My condolences. As stated above, A loud bang coupled with no engine turnover is a very serious thing.

**70cst** · 12-09-2009, 10:22 PM

Who would have thought the dip stick could cause this type of problem...Bummer

**clay68c10** · 12-10-2009, 12:23 AM

Maybe your heads are ok. I bet there's nothing good going on with the bottom end.

sleepertruck72 · 12-10-2009, 01:52 AM

That sucks to hear about your engine, but the first thing that came to my mind when I read dipstick was this ...

YouTube- Think With Your Dipstick Jimmy!

I hope you get it fixed !

12-09-2009, 04:52 PM	#1
nicke Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 503	Help...broken oil dipstick caused engine failure So I have figure out what happened to my 350 on my 71 C20. The dipstick wasn't the correct one for the engine, it was too long. I am not sure what it is out of. As I was driving I noticed a power loss for a second then a loud bang, and the engine gave out. I coasted to the shoulder and the engine wouldn't even turn over...it acted as if it was siezed. Upon inspection, there was no external damage, and I tried to check to see if there was oil in it. When I pulled the dipstick out, I noticed that it had been broken off inside the engine. What damage might I have caused? Crank?...everything??? Has anyone ever heard of this happening? Thanks for your help with this.

12-09-2009, 05:08 PM	#2
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Take Off Posts: 1,908	Re: Help...broken oil dipstick caused engine failure Time to pull the pan and check for damage. A loud bang, loss of power and failure to turn over can't be a good thing.

12-09-2009, 05:12 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Help...broken oil dipstick caused engine failure i doubt a broke dipstick caused any problem like that//i've pulled pans on quite a few good running motors to find broken off dipsticks that were in there for long periods of time causing no damage __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

12-09-2009, 05:43 PM	#5
69GMCLonghorn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 978	Re: Help...broken oil dipstick caused engine failure As stated above, pull the pan, bend over and take it in the shorts!

12-09-2009, 06:03 PM	#7
71tahoe Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 916	Re: Help...broken oil dipstick caused engine failure It's never a total loss. I'm sure someone is looking for a boat anchor. Take pictures of the carnage, we love pics.

12-09-2009, 06:36 PM	#9
c10addict Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: pittsburgh pa Posts: 1,970	Re: Help...broken oil dipstick caused engine failure Ive heard of it happening... Good luck, hope its not too bad! __________________ 68 C10 Shorty TPI,Bagged, and all the good stuff. Classic trucks feature June 06, On the cover of Jegs Christmas Catalog 08 67 C10 Shorty Shop truck project Bagged and Z'd under destruction and getting nowhere fast. 64 C10 Shop Truck/Daily driver, Bagged, Dropmember, SOLD!!!! Gone but not forgotten.. 54 GMC under the knife getting a S10 chassis swap and bagged. See my build thread... 07 GMC Sierra 5/7 drop, 22's and 24's Air ride on my mind.. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=339340 See pics of my trucks in my profile

12-09-2009, 10:18 PM	#10
unclewatts 70 Chevrolet=Obsession Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nice ca Posts: 1,067	Re: Help...broken oil dipstick caused engine failure My condolences. As stated above, A loud bang coupled with no engine turnover is a very serious thing. __________________ I'm Just like my truck. Old, Ugly and Grouchy. Except my truck starts easily in the morning and doesn't smoke! IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN! -Kermit the frog 1970 Chevrolet C-10 Longbed Stepside : 350, Muncie M20, 3.08 GM corp. positraction Forest green exterior/light green interior(Where all my money goes) 1996 Toyota Corolla (Parts runner)

12-09-2009, 10:22 PM	#11
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,365	Re: Help...broken oil dipstick caused engine failure Who would have thought the dip stick could cause this type of problem...Bummer __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

12-10-2009, 12:23 AM	#12
clay68c10 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 2,932	Re: Help...broken oil dipstick caused engine failure Maybe your heads are ok. I bet there's nothing good going on with the bottom end. __________________ ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ



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