I previously posted this in the Mondial forum but didn't get much response, so trying here. I've been horrified to discover that a previous owner apparently tried to violently remove the oil pan. I couldn't even get the tube out of the hole, I was removing the pans anyway so I was able to retrieve it, but I've buttoned the car back up and haven't put it back, I'm sourcing a replacement. In the meantime, how crucial is this part? Will the tip of the dipstick really career off course without it? Will the oil level reading be incorrect? I don't know how it would be. Does anyone know for sure? I should also add: I understand that this tube is there for a reason. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hopefully, someone with better technical knowledge than me will explain the purpose of the extension. In absence of that input, I will throw in my two cents. As you can see, now that you have the oil pan off, there doesn't appear to be any risk that the exposed tip of the dipstick will harm anything in the engine. It appears to me that the extension is simply there to guide the dipstick to an exact position so that it consistently reads oil level in a fixed way. It may be that the extension keeps the tip of the dipstick tube below the level of the oil reducing the possibility of oil splashing back up the dipstick tube. It is possible that, without the extension tube, the dipstick could vibrate while the engine is running causing wear to itself and surrounding metal. This is probably pretty unlikely. All of this is non-expert speculation on my part. I've had my oil pan off so have had the opportunity to look at the parts in some detail.
Oil splash/sloshing, the tube keeps the oil from creeping up and leaking out and also to improve oil readings. Haven't tried it, but given the depth of the tube into the pan and the flare seal it should be possible to vacuum the oil from the pan via the dipstick tube. I've straightened them before, easy enough with a torch, body hammer and mandrel. But GT should have a replacement.
Thanks for the replies guys. It didn't seem to me that this part was hyper-critical to the happy functioning of the motor. Indeed. The dipstick hardly protrudes at all from its 'sheath'. Thanks, I'll start there.
