Transmission dipstick tube

[Carlos Pereyra]

Hello everyone... i have a 1986 4x4 2.9 liter, turns out i was having a leak in the transmission oil pan so i replaced the gasket everything good there but then when i was about to fill the oil pan, i pulled the dipstick (which it was stuck) and ¡the whole tube got out!.

Now i cannot see where exactly the hole in the transmission is to put back the tube, cant see it from above nor from the side, i hope i dont need to remove the transmission. Hope you guys can give me some advice.

 

[Curious Hound]

Might need a mirror and flashlight to see where it goes. Wasn't there a bracket to hold it in place?

 

[Shran]

There should be a tab on that which holds it in place by way of one of the bellhousing bolts. It appears to be broken off the dipstick tube. It just slips into the transmission... in front of the cooling lines and right above the pan.

Since you have it out, it's a great idea to replace the O ring that seals it on the bottom. A4LDs are notorious for leaking right there.

 

[Carlos Pereyra]

Thnks for your reply guys, so if im under the truck i should be able to feel that hole? Is it centered above the pan or like in a corner next to the cooling lines? Thanks guys!

 

[ford4wd08]

Thnks for your reply guys, so if im under the truck i should be able to feel that hole? Is it centered above the pan or like in a corner next to the cooling lines? Thanks guys!

You have 6 bellhousing bolts that are holding the transmission to the engine block.

One of these bolts is used to hold the dipstick as well.

I think it is the middle one out of the 3 on the passenger side of the transmisson bell housing.

 

[Curious Hound]

Y

Thnks for your reply guys, so if im under the truck i should be able to feel that hole? Is it centered above the pan or like in a corner next to the cooling lines? Thanks guys!

Yes, you should be able to feel the hole. Try not to knock any dirt into it.

 

[Transman304]

Clean the end that the arrow is pointing to really good and apply a sealant like silicone. That is a press fit into the case. The circled part is where your tab to secure the tube to the bell housing. Without that you will not get a proper seal on tube and it will continue to leak.

 

[Curious Hound]

That support tab is important. The tube on my F150 was broken when I bought the truck. The tab had come loose and PO never fixed it. The tube bent and broke about 6-8" above the transmission. I had to get a new one from the junk yard and put it on.

 

[Carlos Pereyra]

Clean the end that the arrow is pointing to really good and apply a sealant like silicone. That is a press fit into the case. The circled part is where your tab to secure the tube to the bell housing. Without that you will not get a proper seal on tube and it will continue to leak.

Thanks dude, i located the hole in the transmission and put back the tube i also applied silicone but yeah the tube feels loose, now ill need to soldering that part. Weird thing is when i bought the truck about 6 months ago it wasnt leaking from the tube until now but from the oil pan.

 

[ford4wd08]

Thanks dude, i located the hole in the transmission and put back the tube i also applied silicone but yeah the tube feels loose, now ill need to soldering that part. Weird thing is when i bought the truck about 6 months ago it wasnt leaking from the tube until now but from the oil pan.

What soldering are you speaking off?

The dipstick is a slip fit into the transmission. An o ring on the tube makes it fit tight.

That with the bolt in on the tab should make the tube rigid.

Just a side note, on my '85 BII with the first year A4LD, I didn't notice my tab on my dipstick when I removed and installed the trans. Mine wasn't located on a bell housing bolt. It was actually on a bolt up my the valve covers.

It had 3 small spot welds that looked like they broke many years ago. I removed the tab and drilled a hole through it. Then I put it back on the tube and pulled it tight with a zip tie. I might JB weld it, but it appears to be holding tight for now. Much better condition than when I found it.

 

[Curious Hound]

I think he was talking about "soldering" ( maybe should be brazing or welding) the tab back onto the tube.

 

[ford4wd08]

I think he was talking about "soldering" ( maybe should be brazing or welding) the tab back onto the tube.

I see. JB weld that sucker and roll on lol