How can I safely remove putty plugging the dipstick hole?

[robroy]

Good day!

Since my engine came with an oil pan with an integral dipstick, the builder plugged the hole in the engine block with some kind of putty, as shown here:



I asked the builder about how to remove this putty, and they recommended using a drill bit once the oil pan was off (so that the putty wouldn't collect in the pan).

But after looking at the hole and the putty again, I'm not sure how well that will work.

About how deep is that hole? Five inches?

And can anybody think of a better way to clean out the putty (so that it doesn't leave a putty residue on the walls of the hole)?

The putty is soft enough that you can put an indent in it with your finger nail, but it seems durable nonetheless.

Thanks!
Robroy

[71PA_Highboy]

Buy a long drill bit and follow their directions... unless you don't trust them...

eric

[robroy]

Hey Eric!

Indeed that's what I'll try! I was just curious to know whether anybody knew of a tool better suited to this job than a drill bit. Perhaps something that could do a better job of removing the residue from the walls of the hole while not scratching up the engine block. A drill bit seems a little harsh for this putty.

Thanks!
Robroy

[convincor]

the total depth of the hole is only about an inch deep.
There are three steps in it though.
The first you see in you pic. From there it steps down to 5/16" which is the area the dipstick tube is actually pressed into.
This step is about 1/2" deep.
The next spep is just a little bigger than 1/4". Like 17/64". This step is a stop for the tube.
So don't go in with a 5/16" as you'll propably end up grabbing the step and going thru with the 5/16".
That final step area is only about 1/4".
What I would do if the pan is off is just push a 1/4" rod up from the bottom and push the crap out.
Then use something like a pipe cleaning round wire brush like the plumbers use.
spin that through the hole and it'll leave the hole nice and clean.
Use a vacumm at the bottom to catch falling debris.

[convincor]

another thought is just try scapping around the edge with something like a dental pick. then grab the piece with needle nose pliers and pull it out.

[robroy]

Hey Convincor, thanks! That's very helpful advice. I had no idea about the "steps" inside the dipstick hole--you probably saved me from drilling right in to them and messing it up.

Trying to smoosh it out from the under side sounds like a smart technique. Even if it won't push out, I can probably drill it out from under there with less risk to the ridges than coming in from the top.

The technique with the dental pick and needle nose pliers also sounds feasible, if the putty will come out as one piece. Thanks! I'm planning for the worse case scenario, where it shreds apart in there.

So those wire "balls" are something plumbers use to clean out pipes huh? And that's something that I can find at any hardware store?

Thanks again Convincor!
Robroy

[convincor]

yep, hardware store, Home Depot.
You could also try a gun shop.

[thebannister8]

walmart has them ( or at least had them the last time i looked ) by the gun cleaning kits...i buy individual ones from turners for a couple bucks... put it in a variable speed drill if you have one.....

[robroy]

Hey Convincor and TheBannister8, thanks for replying!

So it sounds like I should be able to pick up a few of these spherical wire brushes at the hardware store--if not there, I'll try a gun shop.

Those might be just the ticket to get that passage immaculate.

Thanks again,
Robroy

[alpinefr3ak]

Shouldn't the guy that put it in there have to take it out? Sounds like a shady job if they don't even bother to take the putty back out afterwards.

[DuckRyder]

I'm thinking after you push it out from the ebottom with a properly sized dowel a gun cleaning kit might be just the right thing...

Wonder what caliber a dipstick is? I'll try to figure it out tomorrow...

[ezernut9mm]

Shouldn't the guy that put it in there have to take it out? Sounds like a shady job if they don't even bother to take the putty back out afterwards.

actually, it sounds like they are doing their part. after all, they sold him the engine and he was to install it. now that he is having fitment problems and having to rework some stuff they are still there and offering advice and recommendations. a lot of places won't even answer the phone once you are out the door with their product.

[thebannister8]

i'm partial to the .22 cal....it is thin but tough because the bristles are short..

[reflectionpoint]

Just by chance, would a 1/4" hole be about a .25 cal.?

-~E

[DuckRyder]

Just by chance, would a 1/4" hole be about a .25 cal.?

-~E

For the most part, but caliber does not always equal decimal size. At least not precisely. For instance most .38's are closer to .35 (usually .355 - .358)

But yes, in this case a .25 caliber brush would probably work well.