dropped dipstick...now dashboard gauge not working

[McG]

Hello...

Im a rookie poster & a rookie owner. Changed my oil for the first time on my 84 Carrera...dropped the dipstick...I fished for it with a coat hanger and knocked all the way down...heard it go 'plunk'...long gone. So I seached posts here to see how much damage I had done and thankfully there isnt damage done by this 'rookie' mistake. Anyway, I had only added the 9 quarts that Wayne recommends in 101 projects...and figure ill add enough so my dashboard gauge is the middle...but my gauge isnt working now that the stick is swimming.

Now...Who, What, Where, Why?

Also I added a 1.5 quarts more cause the manual said roughly 10.5 would be needed...does that sound right?

Thank You for your help,
McGeorge

[Tyson Schmidt]

First, it will usually take 9.5 quarts. You want it to read in the middle of the two marks on the dipstick with the engine oil temp above 180 deg, and the engine idling for at least 30 seconds.

Now, either buy a bendy or flexy magnet from Sears etc., and fish it out from the top. Or if that doesn't work, remove the right rear wheel. Now remove the nuts from the oil tank sender, (its the round cover with the 2 wires attached to it.) and remove the sender, being careful not to damage the float and arm as you snake it out carefully through the hole. With it out, you should be able to fish out the dipstick with the magnet. You'll want to replace the sender gasket when you do this.

[Doug Zielke]

The float that operates the dashboard gauge is a pretty fragile affair. When you went "fishing" for the dipstick, you likely damaged or upset the mechanisim.

[Tyson Schmidt]

Jeez Doug! Don't scare the guy, he's just a newbie!

Besides, it's entirely possible that the dipstick is simply preventing the float from raising. Hope that's it.

[True Brit]

I heard somewhere that the dipstick isn't magnetic....I could be wrong, of course.

[weber92037]

My dipstick is not magnetic. It's probably aluminum.

[sammyg2]

The dipstick might be stainless steel, either 400 or 300 series. I'll check tonight, but if it's 300 series it is non-magnetic, if it's 400 series it will be slightly magnetic, probably not enough to get a magnet to pick it up.

[john walker's workshop]

often the dipstick is hanging on the float arm. remove the sender to find out.

[McG]

Thank you all for replying.

I assume I need to drain the oil before I remove the sender and float unit? If so, can I drain it out...and add the same oil back in after Ive figured out what damage Ive done to the float or sender?

Thank You again,
McGeorge

[Superman]

As long as you are CERTAIN there is no dirt in it. There is no filter between the oil tank and the engine bearings.

[weber92037]

I tried a magnet on mine. It is definitely not magnetic. Oil is cheap. Use new oil.

[Tyson Schmidt]

Hmmph, non-magnetic. That figures. Then try one of those grabby things. I don't know what they're called, but they have little claws that extend out and grab small objects when you push the button. Or if you can shine a flashlight through the sender hole, you might be able to grab it with some stork pliers.

[weber92037]

Yeah. You might try a mirror and a flashlight to get the location and then one of the two or trhee tip grabbers. It's worth a try if you can see it with the mirror.

[McG]

Thank you all very much for your replys. I will pull out the sensor and the float...and try to get the stick out that opening...but I think Im going to wait 'till the next oil change...I know oil is cheap relatively, but $60 aint peanuts.

Thanks again
McGeorge

[KTL]

Go easy on that sender when you take it out. It doesn't just slide right out of the opening. You have to turn it around and upside down to get the float arm on the sender to clear the opening.

Might be a good idea to get some new sealing washers and a new gasket. The old gasket is likely to be crud as it's made of cork. Don't overtighten when you reinstall. Like I said, the gasket is cork and you'll overly smush it into oblivion.

[jwill911]

First, it will usually take 9.5 quarts.

An `84 3.2 will take 10.5 quarts, to center the oil between marks on the stick at operating temperature.

Does on my `87

[john walker's workshop]

10 qt usually works for me.

[weber92037]

I am able to see into the bottom of the oil tank with a mirror and a flashlight aimed right. It might save you a lot of trouble to try it first. Can't hurt!!!

[ChrisBennet]

You can just drain the oil in the tank. Note how much you comes out and just replace that much (or a little less). $60 for oil - you rich guys and your synthetic oil....
-Chris

[weber92037]

I thought that he was going to fly to Saudi Arabia to pick it up at that price!!