Novice Mechanic...need help!

[kissrocksforever]

Okay, So my car has been parked for a couple of months now because of the winter weather. I started it up today and heard a weird ticking in the engine, so I turned it off and checked the oil level...or so I hoped too...the bottom few inches of the dipstick was missing. I took this as an opportunity to do a small task on the car, first I tried putting a magnet down the tube, with no luck, then I managed to wiggle the dipstick tube loose, but again there was nothing inside of it. I then decided to try using my long flexible magnet thing to go right into the oil pan, but naturally, im unable to find the hole :violent1:

It wouldn't be so hard if I didn't have headers getting in the way, but all im looking for is a description or picture/video of where the hole is so I could get to it. Should I go from under the car? I'm almost liking the idea of just taking the whole oil pan off ha. any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

 

[det_riot]

if you're gonna take the whole pan off you're gonna need either an engine pick or a large jackstand. you oculd try draining your oil and see ifi t'lll come out then or if you could get ur flexible magnet through the drain plug

 

[kissrocksforever]

if you're gonna take the whole pan off you're gonna need either an engine pick or a large jackstand. you oculd try draining your oil and see ifi t'lll come out then or if you could get ur flexible magnet through the drain plug

Why would I need an engine pick or jack stand for taking off the oil pan?

 

[Javi]

fabricate an engine hoist, I remember Steve-oh made one that held the engine up in the engine bay while he changed the K- member.

 

[ivan12]

if you're gonna take the whole pan off you're gonna need either an engine pick or a large jackstand. you oculd try draining your oil and see ifi t'lll come out then or if you could get ur flexible magnet through the drain plug

Why would I need an engine pick or jack stand for taking off the oil pan?

Because you can't take off the pan that easily. The engine sits on top of the steering rack and K-member, the easiest way is to lift the engine way up in the air (if you can call it easy).

 

[kissrocksforever]

okay... any info as to where the hole for the tube is?

 

[lutter94]

While I agree with the fact that the pan sits just above the k member and steering rack (I am looking at pulling my engine to replace the pan gasket, and clean up a few things, remove EGR etc). But I would like to add that the pan is a double hump with 2 drain plugs, one in front of the k member and one behind.

I know it wasn't brought up, but it said novice mechanic, and I just wanted to add that......


EDIT

Sorry I can't say for sure where the hole is that the dipstick tube goes into. I'll do some searching and if I find anything I'll post it......

 

[dwight94]

get under the car use ur fingers to feel the block above the oil pan and you will feel the hile. i wouldnt suggest sticking something down in there though, u could end up pushing debri end there. if it was me i would stick a magnet on the oil pan. this would catch it on the pan when u drain the oil, but it may come out when u drain the oil anyways.

 

[ivan12]

It might be easier to fish around for it through the drain plug holes than through the dipstick tube. Get a large magnet and see if you can pull the piece from the outside of the pan towards the holes, then see if you can find it with your other magnet

 

[modo]

the hole is in the block right above the lip of the oil pan between cyl 6/7

 

[kissrocksforever]

Ive been told there's a screen on the oil pan to prevent any large pieces of metal from actually getting into the engine...any truth to this?

 

[modo]

Ive been told there's a screen on the oil pan to prevent any large pieces of metal from actually getting into the engine...any truth to this?

there is a screen on the end of the oil pump pickup but its not going to stop much as the holes are pretty big

 

[red95r]

I would drain it, then take the flexible magnet (depending on what style you have) put it through the drain hole and see if it will pick it up.

 

[All_Ford_Fun]

Ivan said it best, but prior to doing that make sure that the dip stick will even stick to the magnet. (sorry I'm tired and can't remember the proper tearm here) I've had luck with doin this on my truck but not in my boat. The dip stick in my boat was apperntally more tin than steel... With that being said then take a large magnet and try to pull it towards drain plug. Drain your oil , if it dosent come out trace the pan with the magnet again. I had to do it 3 times before I located the debris in mine. I was able to then use some curved tiped needle nose pliers to pull mine out. All this took me nearly 2 hours so good luck.