My 79 El Camino's dip stick tube broke off due to rust, and to make things worse we've had rain here in Austin these past couple days so I suspect there's gonna be water in the oil pan as well. I'm new to this but I'm not a ****ing idiot (not completely at least) and haven't ran it so I imagine the water is relegated to the pan. What's the best way to flush out the water? I understand an oil change and filter change will be necessary but I'm unsure as how to remove the water while making sure there's actually no water. If I kill the motor in this car I'm actually going to cry.
EL CAMINO Horrendous series of events
- Thread starter Mortoram
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If it's just raining outside and your car isn't flooded up to the valve covers I don't think you have anything to worry about.is there a hood on the car?
moisture gathers in the oil all the time when it's not being used. which is why it's important to get up to temperature to burn it off.
moisture gathers in the oil all the time when it's not being used. which is why it's important to get up to temperature to burn it off.
If you haven't driven it, and there's a hood on it, you're fine. If you're concerned still, simply pull the drain plug. Oil sits on top of water so the first thing to drain out of your oil pan would be water if there was any it.
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Ok sweet, and another quick question. Would you think it'd be more effective to change the tube entirely, or to fabricate a shorter dipstick. If I mark where the stick sits I could get the lengths correct, but I want more opinions.
I've learned through this forum that the v8 305 engine has the dipstick emerging from the oil pan, while most all other engines have the dipstick emerging from the side of the engine block. If yours is coming directly from the engine block, you can probably find a replacement at most auto parts stores.
Change it. Don't mess around with cutting it off and trying to mark the dipstick. It'll cause a headache at some point down the road.
That would be the '78-'79 with some '80's A's that would have that pan due to the newer style drivers exhaust manifold. I'm not 100% on this but there could be some '78 305's that have the have the older manifold & would have the tube in the block like the 350's. There could even be 350's with that pan too, again not 100% on this.
I agree with what others have suggested. First, remove the dipstick tube stub and get an aftermarket replacement. BUT, before you toss out the old tube, try to get a measurement of the length of the tube ABOVE the flare...where the tube sits outside the block. This measurement will point you in a direction for which replacement tube to get. If this approach doesn't work, then just get whatever is available and use it. When you do your next oil and filter change, fill it with 5 quarts of oil, start the engine for a minute or two, then let it sit so oil will drain back into the pan. Now, take note of the oil level which should be within the range of the FULL indicator on your dipstick, if so, you're good to go.
As StreetBu has stated, when you pull the plug, water will drain out first since it tends to settle at the bottom of the oil pan. If you are uncertain and uncomfortable about water possibly being in your motor, change the filter and oil with something cheap and let your motor run for a few minutes. Lastly, drain and change oil and filter once again with your usual oil and press on. Good luck!
As StreetBu has stated, when you pull the plug, water will drain out first since it tends to settle at the bottom of the oil pan. If you are uncertain and uncomfortable about water possibly being in your motor, change the filter and oil with something cheap and let your motor run for a few minutes. Lastly, drain and change oil and filter once again with your usual oil and press on. Good luck!
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