Broken dip stick plastic piece fallen inside oil pan

[2.0gtivw]

I have seen a mountain of threads on broken dipsticks, but in this case I think that a small plastic piece fell in the oil pan
Not sure what to do...
Thinking about changing the oil and hoping that the plastic comes out of the drain plug?
Otherwise should I remove the oil pan? Anyone done this before, how hard is it on the GTi MK3? Any special tools required?

Finally will it really be an issue if the plastic stays in there? I have not started the engine yet, as I am even afraid of driving it to the mechanic.

Thanks in advance!

[Pagano]

you will need a 10mm 1/4" drive socket as well as a universal joint and some extensions to get to the bolts tucked behind the blocking plate on the transmission, which is held in place with 2 13mm's I think.

It's not that hard to remove. A new oil pan gasket can be purcahsed for relatively little through germanautoparts.com (http://germanautoparts.com/Volkswagen/Golf/Engine/107/5) $15?

I wouldn't drive the car as the plastic could get sucked up against the screen on the oil pump feed line and cause oil starvation

[FL 2.0L]

Two of mine have broken, and I didn't give a thought to the pieces possibly making their way into the pan. However, when I dropped the pan to change the gasket a few years later, I found some very well worn orange pieces of plastic (smooth like seaglass). Someone suggested it was from the funnel, and I believe it was. No problems, but I can see how a large piece might get sucked up. The dipstick tube really isn't that large.

Dropping the pan is a project!


Modified by surferfletch at 11:08 AM 1-9-2005

[MaxedOutCredit]

That's happend to me about 20k miles ago and it hasn't caused a problem.

[Pagano]

dropping the pan isn't that big of a project - it's just a bunch of little bolts...nothing really involved..

[FL 2.0L]

I could have made it much easier if I had lifted the front end higher.

[Pagano]

I have two bad shoulders, thats my only gripe - so after laying on my back and getting like 3/4 done with it, I'll be in pain...but I mean, its nothing overly technical...just jack it up and start removing bolts..

...oh yeah..it helps to drain it first

[2.0gtivw]

Thanks for the response!
Not sure which way to go as it is the W.E and no one obviously stocks the oil pan gaskets, being that the dealerships are all closed. Like everyone I need my car to get to work...
I hate to ask this but what would be the typical problem that would arise from something like this?
Oil pump damage?

[Pagano]

WORST CASE...

its big enough to clog the screen and you get oil starvation issues, and you oil light comes on, and well, you ...blow something up...but thats slim...

Most likely, the piece will just float around and not do anything bad

[MaxedOutCredit]

For the MK4 I know there is no oil pan gasket u just use a gasket maker paste(high temp). Maybe it's the same with the mk3. More than likely there is a screen or the filter on the intake side of the oil pump which will prevent the peice from being sucked up. The plastic wil probably just kick it in the bottom of the oil pan.

[ghettobillgates]

when i changed my pan i stripped the two bitch bolts. I want to put studs in the oil pan. I did the same thing with the dipstick, found little plastic pieces in there, no real biggie.

[veedubgolf00]

does anyone know how much the price is for a new dipstick funnel??? mine broke but didn't go to the vw dealership yet. thanks

[Speedsta]

i think i shelled a whole buck and a half or two at germanautoparts.com for a new funnel when i broke mine...

[2.0gtivw]

$2.85 @ the local VW dealership!

[Speedsta]

yeah that works too.