98 deville dip stick=

[jamesmetairie]

tip missing. freind says it disappeared maybe after shadytree mechanic worked? anyone know if the flow in pan is such that it could get sucked up into mecanisms? is it a biggie to pull the pan to get it out?

[caddydaddy]

The oil pump pickup screen should keep it out of anything important. How much of it fell off? Was it one of the plastic tipped dip sticks with the metal wire body?
On the Northstar, I believe you have to drop the exhaust pipe that crosses under the oil pan to get the oil pan off. So, yes, it would be a little bit of work to get it back out.

[MagicRat]

I do not think its worth removing the pan to get the piece out. Most likely it will sink to the bottom of the pan and stay there.
A plastic tip might eventually come out with an oil change.
Over the years, I have found all kinds of metal, rubber and plastic debris inside oil pans, including mechanics wrenches, nuts, bolts, washers, fuel pump pieces, pieces of gaskets etc, and none of it has ever done any harm.

[caddydaddy]

Good points! That's what I was thinking as well! And with the windage tray on the Northstar, I don't think it has much of a chance of getting thrown up into the engine. At worst, it will probably get caught on the oil pump pick up screen.
I wasn't sure if that type of plastic would float or sink in the oil though?

[jamesmetairie]

Originally Posted by caddydaddy

Good points! That's what I was thinking as well! And with the windage tray on the Northstar, I don't think it has much of a chance of getting thrown up into the engine. At worst, it will probably get caught on the oil pump pick up screen.
I wasn't sure if that type of plastic would float or sink in the oil though?

thanks for the response. yes,it was the plastic kind. problem is my friend can,t check oil level at this time. he wonders if the missing tip is jammed in the tube or what? question = is that tip an extension of the dip stick itself? if so,perhaps that would explain why he ain,t reaching the oil.

[caddydaddy]

I doubt it's caught in the tube, since it's a smaller diameter than the tube. I'd have to say, the only way to check the oil now is to buy a new dipstick. Try www.gmpartsdirect.com or www.gmotors.com