1988 Grand Wagoneer and the dreaded oil dipstick tupe replacement

[N2PPN]

Hello to my fellow "Jeepsters",

I am in a little bit of a predicament. I had to replace the oil dipstick on my 1988 Grand Wagoneer a week or so ago (it had rusted away next to the exhaust manifold and separated into two pieces) and ran into two problems.

First problem was that the one that I was able to remove (the original one) had a STRAIGHT end going into the hole above the oil pan, the replacement one I purchased had a CURVED end. (I suspect the curved end was to keep the dipstick closer to the side of the oil pan and away from crankshaft piston end caps.

Second problem is that the replacement dipstick tube will not physically fit back into the same location as the old one (the curves in it and shape of it, prohibit me from re-inserting it back into the hole and getting it seated to the stop on the dipstick tube.

Do I have to remove the exhaust manifold on the D/S and possibly the master cylinder (both of which are preventing me from maneuvering the dipstick tube into position) or do I have to pull the engine out of the vehicle?? Please can someone give me a "hint" on just how to reinstall the replacement dipstick??

Any ideas???


Rich

 

[Adam G]

I know what you mean about a curved replacement dip stick! I replaced the one on my cj5 that had a 304 in it and it's dip stick was heavily rusted. The one I got was curved and I carefully bend it perfectly straight like the old one because the curve wouldn't go down the hole no matter what. After I straightened it I inserted it and had another problem, the bumps by the top of the stick where it seals were too big. So u had to file it down to fit and just to be safe I put some gasket silicone around it to make sure to would not leak. I think removing your motor would be a MAJOR overreaction!

 

[N2PPN]

Re: 1988 Grand Wagoneer and the dreaded oil dipstick tube replacement

You know I just noticed the typo in the title...

Should have been *TUBE* not tupe....

I have had a breakthrough and (in my head and on paper) designed up a possible solution to the problem of installing the replacement dipstick tube.

If I am successful in my "workaround" I will make it available to anyone who has a similar problem and asks. I will even have pictures and possibly a video to go along with the process of replacing the new curved dipstick tube into the original position of the old one, without having to remove the engine or any other engine parts or under the hood items...

Wish me luck...


Rich

 

[ZorroCCCP]

I live in the northeast were the big jeeps like to rust. The rust alone is a full time battle, however I have never had to replace the dipstick tube. I did an engine swap on my 87 grand wagoneer and the dipstick tube was put on the new motor with the exaust manifold off. Good luck with the project and keep me posted.

Zorro

 

[joshua.bennett2]

I just acquired a 1988 wagoneer and have the same problem. Please share your results.