New dip stick tube

**Spikito** · 01-17-2011, 01:16 PM

Ok so long story short, my girlfriends Oldsmobile Alero needs a new dipstick and tube...

how hard is this to install? can I do it myself pretty easy?

My other question is, if/when i remove the tube, is oil going to go everywhere? should i drain the oil first?

Ive always changed my own oil, and I've changed it in her car, but i don't know anything about dip stick tubes.

**Orcus79** · 01-17-2011, 08:29 PM

not 100% positive on how they are installed on the V6s, but gonna guess that it would be like most tubes where it is a friction fit at the pan or where it ever it enters into the pan, Oil won't or at least shouldn't splash or leak, may drip a bit.

Also make sure that everything near, around and on the tube and location of the tube is 100% spotless. Don't need to suck a piece of dirt into a bearing or something.

**Spikito** · 01-17-2011, 10:35 PM

Friction fit?

**Smittro** · 01-18-2011, 03:03 AM

What engine? It will have an O-ring that fits very tight in the hole..

You won't have to drain anything..

It will likely have (2) 8mm bolts to secure it one @ the bottom in a flang attached to the tube and another @ about the middle secured to the block..

**Cutlass** · 01-18-2011, 03:39 AM

If its the 3400 V6, I think you have to remove the front exhaust manifold to be able to snake it out of there. I remember removing a few during some head gasket repairs. Some come out nicely, some come out pretty difficult.

**Smittro** · 01-18-2011, 03:47 AM

Originally Posted by Cutlass

If its the 3400 V6, I think you have to remove the front exhaust manifold to be able to snake it out of there. I remember removing a few during some head gasket repairs. Some come out nicely, some come out pretty difficult.

They can be a pita.. But I think you're talking about this engine as far as the manifold goes..

**Spikito** · 01-18-2011, 08:14 AM

yeah im pretty sure thats it

**Smittro** · 01-18-2011, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by Spikito

yeah im pretty sure thats it

You have your work cut out for ya then bro.. I think you can handle it tho..

If you could rip your front end off your old car you can take care of this..

It's just a cramped pita. I would recommend the manifold being slightly warm (not hot) when you pull it..

Sometimes when they are cold the bolts don't like to cooperate.. Good luck..

**Cutlass** · 01-18-2011, 03:45 PM

The crossover pipe studs like to break but they are easily available from GM. We went through a bunch of them back in the day.

**Spikito** · 01-18-2011, 09:50 PM

Oh you remember that thread, lol....I'll get under it and try it sometime....but it's looking like I have to change it this time and just trust that I'm putting in the right amount

**Smittro** · 01-23-2011, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by Spikito

Oh you remember that thread, lol....I'll get under it and try it sometime....but it's looking like I have to change it this time and just trust that I'm putting in the right amount

Yeah There as so few new v6 threads they're relatively easy to remember.

4.5 quarts with some poured into the new filter..