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Need help, I am in deep poo!

2K views 17 replies 11 participants last post by  08GT500 
#1 ·
2001, Ford F550, 7.3 Okay so I was referred here from the ford truck enthusiast forum, wish I'd found this place earlier great site. So here's my problem. I had a huge leak at the dipstick flange on the side of the oil pan. I bought the kit from International for $60 (rip off) a tube of RTV, a tube of loc-tite, and a paper gasket and an o-ring. Anyhow when I removed the dipstick the flange dropped in the pan! Yeah that sucks huh? Never even loosened the flange nut, guessin it had backed off on its own? Always check that first apparently, it really didn't occur to me to do that as it felt tight when I was checkin out my huge leak couple days prior. So what I am looking for is some advice as to gettin this flange back where it belongs. I managed to retrieve the o-ring with a claw pick-up tool. I drained the oil and used a small metal wire to slide the flange around and try to grab it with my claw tool, no luck. And I used a see-snake to look around inside the pan to try an aid to my recovery, I see it but just can't seem to get it. Any and all advice/help is appreciated. I really need to get this thing back together as it is a work truck.
 
#2 ·
Wow - you ARE in the deep $hit :(

Search here, I've read Lots of posts about this, you're in trouble, BUT all is Not Lost!

At one time, you would have been told that the ONLY thing to do is to now pull the motor. Now there are newer posts about how you CAN retrieve that piece.

I'm sure a search on "dipstick" in the 7.3 forums will get you what you need to know - Good Luck!
 
#5 ·
Actually, John Wayne was able to retrieve his without having to pull the engine.
 
#7 ·
We took the motor mounts loose, picked the engine up about 4 inches with a cherry picker, and reached down in there and got the flange by hand. Just use good chains and hooks or you'll cut your hand off if the engine drops.
 
#9 ·
I'm pretty sure that's how John Wayne got his out.
 
#13 · (Edited)
#14 ·
NoRalPh, I did search....everywhere online, on all the forums I could find. All I could come up with was people sayin this happened to them aswell. I guess my searchin skills are lackin....and I'll be the first to admit that I am by no means a computer person. But I sure do appreciate all the replies I have gotten to my delima, even if some weren't very helpful. The link posted for JohnWaynes post was very helpful, I am hoping to try his method tomorrow. I have been fishin for this for days. This dang truck is eatin all the free time I can muster. I purchased a "snake scope" just a bit ago, and a 3 clawed pickup tool and will definately try that method tomorrow. I was able to pick it up several times today with the claw tool, just never could get it back in place, without dropping it again. I tell you from experiance you never wanna be in this boat, it really sucks! I just can't imagine what dumbass would design this thing like that knowing someday it will need to be changed, or that it could rattle loose and fall in unexpectedly like this. I'll fill you guys in on how it goes tomorrow, and will post up any advice I can for the next SOB that has this happen to them. And if anyone reads this and has some good advice, please share.
 
#15 ·
just drain all the oil... cut the pan open with a cutting torch... retreive the peice... weld plate cut out back on... fill with oil... check for leaks..:crazy:
 
#17 ·
08GT500 - Good Luck Man,,, I'm sure you can do it, it's all about persistence ;) Don't let the bastard win!!!!

INTERNATIONAL7.3 - That's ridiculous! First you'd have to cut a big enough hole to put your hand in to grab it and hold it back in place. Second, think of the crap you'd be leaving in your pan. What would the backside in your weld look like (INSIDE the pan). Would you want that flaking scale in your engine?

No, no, no,, if you've gotten hold of it a couple of times you'll get it again, it's just a matter of getting the right "hook" on it, or a wire through it, or getting just plain Lucky one time :D
 
#18 ·
Well I have made a few attempts with the "snake scope" and the "claw tool" zip tied together. And I can honestly say this will work. I just didn't have the time I had hoped to devote to this yet. One key thing I found is that you need to let about 2 inches of the claw tool protrude beyond the scope when you zip tie it, otherwise it doesn't really show up in the field of vision on the screen. This to me seems to be the best solution to this problem, if anyone gets in this perdicament. Cutting and welding the pan in order to retrieve and install this flange, to me is a "rigging" method to me and I feel this could cause major problems down the line. I know this sounds like an obvious shortcut that would save some time......but don't those usually end bad anyway? Think of all the metal shavings, and weld slag getting into the engine...think you can get ALL of it out? And do you feel that sure of your welding skills that it won't leak....or how about the issues you may have with corosion in that welded area. To me this is just not an option, I really would rather pull the engine than to repair it in that fashion. Can you imagine having the truck with that repair for sale and the potential buyer looking under the truck? I can only imagine what he'd think. I'd be thinking Oh wow, what else on this truck is rigged, and I'd pass on the purchase. But thanks for the suggestion, it may be a valid solution to some, just not me.
 
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