TOM: Actually, if you have an automatic transmission, you have nothing to worry about, Ken. Since the dipstick’s lateral movement is confined by the tube, the end of the stick is just going to sit there on the bottom of the transmission pan, where it won’t bother anything. There are no gears or anything in that part of the automatic transmission, and the stick can’t go anywhere.
RAY: So if it’s an automatic, just use your new stick to keep an eye on the fluid level, and otherwise forget about it.
TOM: On the other hand, if you have a manual transmission, then you need to remove that thing. There’s nothing BUT gears in a manual transmission, so the stick could get chewed up by the gears and ruin your transmission AND your differential.
RAY: The first thing to try is a more powerful magnet. If you can still see the top of the dipstick, and it’s not wedged in there somehow, a more powerful magnet ought to be able to grab it for you.
TOM: If not, the next step is to have a mechanic remove the tube itself. The dipstick tube usually is just force-fit into the transmission housing, or maybe held in place by a single bolt and a bracket. So if you’re still on speaking terms with any local mechanics, have one of them pull out the tube for you, and then remove the broken piece of dipstick.
RAY: And if worse comes to worst, and the tube gets damaged during removal, you can buy a new tube for very little money. Altogether, including labor, this is probably a $50 repair if you get to it soon. Or a $2,000 repair if you dawdle.
Send your comments or questions for Tom and Ray to: Car Talk Plaza, P.O. Box 3500 Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA 02238 or at www.cartalk.com.
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