Microspec
Member
While doing a oil change, drawing out my old oil, the plastic pipe fell down the dipstick tube!! Can the tube be screwed out?Engine is volvo 2003t. Or can I leave it in the sump?
BIG TROUBLE
- Thread starter Microspec
- Start date
WindermereColvic
Well-Known Member
perhaps you could fashon something like a slightly opened paper clip on a piece of wire to poke down the hole and clip onto the tube, Is the tube still in the dipstick tube or has it sliped into the sump? Hope you get it sorted
Microspec
Member
Thanks,but tried that, that's when the tube fell into the sump!
OGITD
Well-Known Member
Depends on the access you have, but it’s not a difficult job removing the sump. Just ensure both faces are good, true and clean when refitting with a new gasket.
Wandering Star
Well-Known Member
I'm sure the correct advice is to remove the sump and remove the object but as this will almost certainly mean removing the engine too, I'd be inclined to let the object RIP in the sump pan!
The bottom of the pump (the inlet pipe in the sump) will have a coarse filter on it which will stop the object from being circulated or blocking the inlet to the pump itself so I'd just let it be! But I'm no engineer and happy listen to arguments for why the object needs removing.
Cheers, Brian.
The bottom of the pump (the inlet pipe in the sump) will have a coarse filter on it which will stop the object from being circulated or blocking the inlet to the pump itself so I'd just let it be! But I'm no engineer and happy listen to arguments for why the object needs removing.
Cheers, Brian.
PeterGibbs
Well-Known Member
Do you have one of those extended gripper tools with the four opening fingers at the end - most tool shops carry them. Try this. It could take some time. Removing all the oil in the usual way could make the process easier, possibly plus removing the top of the feed pipe so as to extend your reach within the sump.
I once dropped a con rod down the block in my engine and felt as you do. I got it out this way.
As far as I can tell from your description the plastic pipe should not obstruct the flow of oil in the sump not get tangled in the crank, if it's of reasonable size, but....
Good luck,
PWG
I once dropped a con rod down the block in my engine and felt as you do. I got it out this way.
As far as I can tell from your description the plastic pipe should not obstruct the flow of oil in the sump not get tangled in the crank, if it's of reasonable size, but....
Good luck,
PWG
Danny Jo
Well-Known Member
I don't know the engine, but I would first look at the attachment of the dipstick tube with a view to removing it and poking around in the sump with a wire snare.
Presumably removal of the sump is out of the question while the engine remains in place? If that is the case, it might be worth looking for an engineer who has a flexible fibreoptic bore scope small enough to go down the dip stick tube. Sealey make a bore scope 4.3mm in diameter, 600mm long. Unlike medical fibreoptic scopes, this does not incorporate a channel suitable for a wire snare, and you would have to be able to get both the snare and the scope into the sump to guide the snare onto the end of of the tube, so this hair-brained suggestion may be a complete non-starter.
Presumably removal of the sump is out of the question while the engine remains in place? If that is the case, it might be worth looking for an engineer who has a flexible fibreoptic bore scope small enough to go down the dip stick tube. Sealey make a bore scope 4.3mm in diameter, 600mm long. Unlike medical fibreoptic scopes, this does not incorporate a channel suitable for a wire snare, and you would have to be able to get both the snare and the scope into the sump to guide the snare onto the end of of the tube, so this hair-brained suggestion may be a complete non-starter.
VicS
Well-Known Member
The dipstick tube is just pressed into a hole in the block I think but the chances of being able to put it out are i would say slim. (It would probably have to be knocked out from inside).
see this diagram http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/VP_Sch...%20%202003T.pdf
There is a strainer on the oil pickup but i cannot find a decent diagram of the arrangement.
Chances of getting the sump off and more importantly back on without leaks are pretty remote I'd think. Done it a few times on cars but you can stick them on ramps and get underneath. Don't fancy cutting an access hatch in the bottom of the boat I suppose /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
If the bit of pipe is still lodged in the dipstick tube you'll not get the dipstick in without pushing it right in or maybe finding something that will stick inside it and pull it out. Worth a thought. If it has dropped right into the sump then you can forget any fishing methods i should think.
Could pop along to the Urology department at the local hospital and borrow a cystoscope for a peep inside. They wont mind. God knows what the one they used on me had been used for previously!
see this diagram http://www.marinepartsexpress.com/VP_Sch...%20%202003T.pdf
There is a strainer on the oil pickup but i cannot find a decent diagram of the arrangement.
Chances of getting the sump off and more importantly back on without leaks are pretty remote I'd think. Done it a few times on cars but you can stick them on ramps and get underneath. Don't fancy cutting an access hatch in the bottom of the boat I suppose /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
If the bit of pipe is still lodged in the dipstick tube you'll not get the dipstick in without pushing it right in or maybe finding something that will stick inside it and pull it out. Worth a thought. If it has dropped right into the sump then you can forget any fishing methods i should think.
Could pop along to the Urology department at the local hospital and borrow a cystoscope for a peep inside. They wont mind. God knows what the one they used on me had been used for previously!
grafozz
Well-Known Member
TRY THIS - take out the drain plug and insert one of the 4 jaw grippers mentioned on other posts ,or even just a piece of wire and just fish it out ,if its standing up it will be easier to grip . if its laying down you may just slide it out . best of luck , and congratulations on posting one of the trickiest problems seen on this forum !
chrishelen
N/A
Could you perhaps over fill the sump so the thing floats back up the tube a bit then grab it? just a long shot.
Impaler
Well-Known Member
I wonder if you could get at it from the oi filler cap? A borrowed boroscope would certainly help.
Csail
N/A
There is no way you could get it from the filler cap, i wouls just leave it there.
alan006
Well-Known Member
Why not drain all the oil from your sump. Then if the plastic pipe is lying on the bottom of the sump pour in a liquid through the dipstick hole that will dissolve the plastic. Once the plastic has dissolved drain the liquid from the sump.
If you are careful and don't use too much dissolving liquid I don't think it will reach high enough in the sump to damage anything.
One of the chemists here will probably know of a liquid that will dissolve the pipe without damaging metal.
I hope this helps.
If you are careful and don't use too much dissolving liquid I don't think it will reach high enough in the sump to damage anything.
One of the chemists here will probably know of a liquid that will dissolve the pipe without damaging metal.
I hope this helps.
Microspec
Member
Thanks for your advice so far !
Tried fishing with a gripper but only pushed the plastic tube
further into the sump.
Come on YOU BRAINS OF BRITAIN somebody must know?
Tried fishing with a gripper but only pushed the plastic tube
further into the sump.
Come on YOU BRAINS OF BRITAIN somebody must know?
whipper_snapper
Well-Known Member
It sounds like it is still engaged in the dipstick tube ? And not yet dropped into the sump ?
If so a couple of thoughts
Drain the sump, then pressurise it with an airliine !! You may propel the plastic out of the dip stick tube together with a jet of oil.
If you can drill a fine hole across the tube, transfixing the plastic, and leave the drill bit in place, you can then use as much force as you like from the top to grab it - eg turning a long wodscrew to engage it, or pushing down hard with the grippers. Then withdraw the drill bit and pull out the plastic.
Both long shots. Almost as crazy as dissolving the plastic with unobtanium!
If so a couple of thoughts
Drain the sump, then pressurise it with an airliine !! You may propel the plastic out of the dip stick tube together with a jet of oil.
If you can drill a fine hole across the tube, transfixing the plastic, and leave the drill bit in place, you can then use as much force as you like from the top to grab it - eg turning a long wodscrew to engage it, or pushing down hard with the grippers. Then withdraw the drill bit and pull out the plastic.
Both long shots. Almost as crazy as dissolving the plastic with unobtanium!
Bav34
...
IF you think that the plastic tube is still in the pipe it might be necessary to 'sacrifice' the pipe.
Firstly, do Volvo supply them?
If not some dealers keep 'dead' engines for parts. If there is a stripped block available it would perhaps be easy to drift the pipe out from inside the block.
If so you need to get the existing pipe out even if you have to butcher it .... molegrips and lots of twisting come to mind.
If you can't find a replacement could you cut the pipe low down enough to get to the tube? ''All'' you would need then is some sort of sleeving made up to rejoin the pipe.
Good luck
Firstly, do Volvo supply them?
If not some dealers keep 'dead' engines for parts. If there is a stripped block available it would perhaps be easy to drift the pipe out from inside the block.
If so you need to get the existing pipe out even if you have to butcher it .... molegrips and lots of twisting come to mind.
If you can't find a replacement could you cut the pipe low down enough to get to the tube? ''All'' you would need then is some sort of sleeving made up to rejoin the pipe.
Good luck
A
Anonymous
Guest
[ QUOTE ]
Come on YOU BRAINS OF BRITAIN somebody must know?
[/ QUOTE ]Why don't you phone the local dealer, tell him what you've done and ask how much it'll cost for him to sort it out for you. He might say leave it be -- and at least if he has been taking these engines apart for a living he is likely to have a better idea than most of us.
Come on YOU BRAINS OF BRITAIN somebody must know?
[/ QUOTE ]Why don't you phone the local dealer, tell him what you've done and ask how much it'll cost for him to sort it out for you. He might say leave it be -- and at least if he has been taking these engines apart for a living he is likely to have a better idea than most of us.
Appleyard
Well-Known Member
You have not said what size ie length xdiameter is the offending pipe,and what type of plastic ..hard or flexible.
absit_omen
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Come on YOU BRAINS OF BRITAIN somebody must know?
[/ QUOTE ]
Turn the boat upside down and shake it until the tube falls out.
That would work, probably.
Come on YOU BRAINS OF BRITAIN somebody must know?
[/ QUOTE ]
Turn the boat upside down and shake it until the tube falls out.
That would work, probably.
Cariadco
Well-Known Member
I reckon' this method is your only chance.
