dropped dipstick in oil tank

[DaveHak]

hey pelicans..
I was messing with the dipstick on my 83 SC and It fell all the way down into the oil tank..
I have not started the engine since..
What should I do?
Do you think I can still drive it around?

[KNS]

Although I haven't done it (yet) you wouldn't be the first. There may even be another dipstick in there already, it is safe to drive with it there. If you are unsuccessful fishing it out, just buy a new one.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by DaveHak

hey pelicans..
I was messing with the dipstick on my 83 SC and It fell all the way down into the oil tank..
I have not started the engine since..
What should I do?
Do you think I can still drive it around?

You will receive several ideas.

Here's what I made for general "pickup" issues.

[Spark Chaser]

Did the same thing the very first time I checked oil level on the drive home from purchasing the car in Cincinnati. I didn't realize that it went into a tube. Drove it for 250 miles that way. I could see the loop on the end and was able to take an old hanger and bend it to make a hook and "fished' it out. If you have a magnet on a flex or telescopic shaft, that would work also.

[DaveHak]

Cool..It would be funny if fished out several dipsticks...

[Shadetree930]

Fuggitaboudit .... most of these cars have one or two dipsticks rattling around in the oil tank.

No big deal.

[haycait911]

my old car had three in the tank when I pulled it. have a go at getting it out but don't worry to much about it.

[911Texan]

Scheistzen Farggen Schtick!!!

Okay, long story short:

Also just had dipstick drop into tank. Recovery process was:

1) Drain Tank
2) Remove right rear tire
3) Remove sending unit from tank via fender well (5x 8mm hex nuts) - no, it doesn't come all the way out - but let it dangle as far out of your way as possible
4) Remove rear oil sending hose (at bottom, rear inside portion of tank)
*) Make mess - oil everywhere - check!
5) Make 3/8" 180 degree hook on end of unpainted coat hangar
6) Through rear oil sending hose fitting, hook stick and maneuver it as close to drain as possible
7) Hook stick through drain hole until stick end falls out bottom
*) Marvel at the fact that you can ALMOST remove the stick save for the handle that is oh so much larger than the drain hole - scheist!
8) grab last 1/2" of dipstick with longest needle nosed pliers you own
9) Present ring of dipstick to sending unit hole
10) Have friend retrieve handle of dipstick using coat hangar hook and retrieve through oil sending unit hole.

Reinstall plug.......yadayadayadaya..........

Crappy day.

Good day.

- Rich