Dropping the oil pan?

[burlsube]

I want to preface this by saying I have learned the error of my ways, but there was a reasonable explanation for why I originally did what I did.

The long story is that before investing in my truck, I wanted to get an oil sample to see if I needed to work on the engine or consider other mods (*full story below for those who want full context before they flame away). I decided to use a top-side oil extractor from Blackstone, but of course, I couldn't find the rigid PVC tubing, so I used some other tubing I had around. I have used this method before with no issues.

When I tried to get the sample, I used some vinyl tubing, which got stuck at the end of an oil dipstick. I’m pretty sure the end was in the pan. Well, I gave it a yank, and it broke and then quickly contracted into the tube. I have tried all sorts of methods to retrieve the remnant, including using a slightly bigger tube and a metal grabber, and nothing. Now, I’m pretty sure the remaining section may be in the pan.

What’s my path forward- drain the oil and see if I can fish it out of the pan? Drop the oil pan?
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*Last summer, the PHH let go as I was on my way to empty out my dad's house after he passed away. The car spent most of the summer and fall in the driveway before I was able to get it sorted out. But I had some lingering cooling issues and I suspected maybe a head gasket. So I have been taking regular oil samples. Fast forward to the spring this year, and my wife says she wants to go on the beach for Mother's Day. Sounds like a good idea to me, and to surprise her I was going to get a new passenger seat and some new suspension. She was also having surgery to have a thyroid tumor removed, so I wanted to be all spruced up. Before I dropped all this money into the car, I wanted to confirm there were no issues and decided to get a quick sample between various kids' sporting events, etc. I wasn't looking to do a full oil change and I just needed a little bit. Hence my decision to use a top-side extractor

 

[Fj80oregon]

Where did you draw the Sample from? And where did the piece end up breaking off at?

 

[burlsube]

Where did you draw the Sample from? And where did the piece end up breaking off at?

I was taking it from the dipstick tube and it broke off in the dipstick tube. I am able to put in the dip stick and I fairly certain when I tried to fish it out that I pushed it out of the dipstick tube. My thinking and hope is that if that is the case it is should now be in the lower pan.

 

[Fj80oregon]

Pull the dip stick tube and verify it’s not in there it’s one bolt on the intake to support the tube and one bolt on the upper oil pan. You can pull it and vefiry easily. You don’t need to drain the oil the level doesn’t sit that high.

 

[burlsube]

Pull the dip stick tube and verify it’s not in there it’s one bolt on the intake to support the tube and one bolt on the upper oil pan. You can pull it and vefiry easily. You don’t need to drain the oil the level doesn’t sit that high.

I thought I read that it was a press-on fit after you removed the bolts and that it was difficult to re install and get leak free. It looks like there is a grommet that sits above the oring that is NLA. But I'm up for give it a try. I

 

[Fj80oregon]

What year and model?

 

[burlsube]

96 FZJ80