Re: REALLY Stupid Emergency?!?!
First...I'll start by giving my opinion that the tubing should probably come out, only because it's there, not because I think it will do any harm...its the right thing to do. Chances are however that:<br /><br />1. It simply will not grind up, snake around a connecting rod, etc. ,etc. and cause a catastrophic disaster. If it were metallic...different issue.<br /><br />2. It will not melt (more pliable, yes) at oil operating temperatures, if your oil were that hot your engine is in more serious peril. <br /><br />3. The tubing was made to be used in oil and other petroleum based fluids (including aromatic hydrocarbons), so it won't dissolve and turn your oil into an acidic bearing eating compound.<br /><br />4. If you have NOT removed the dipstick tube assembly you're probably in luck. Removal will almost certainly allow the tubing to fall into the oil resevoir. If there is a large 3/4 to 1 inch male thread at the top (as most marine dipstick tubes have) the dipstick tube extends to the bottom of the oil pan or to an elbow that prohibits straight objects more than an inch or so long from passing. THE THREAD ON THE TOP IS THERE TO ATTACH AN OIL EXTRACTOR TO and suction out the oil so that you don't have to stick a tube into the dipstick tube. The tube extends so far down there is no need to put a smaller tube inside it to extract oil, just use the dipstick tube as your suction tube. Therefore, a six inch piece of tubing is probably still inside. You probably noticed that a tube "bottoms out" when inserted in the dipstick tube assembly, so a six inch piece will almost definitely not enter the oil resevoir. Maybe the dipstick can CAREFULLY!! extract the lost tube. or ...Get a tapered object (make one if you have to, and carefully put it into the dipstick tube and attempt to insert it in the tube end, and pull it out. A 2 inch bullet shaped object, pointed on one end and firmly attached inside a length of rubber hose or tubing will do. If necessary, try other options similar to this. Magster65 suggested a coat hanger...a good idea.<br /><br />Get a schematic of your engine to see what you're up against...elbow in dipstick tube assembly?...filter or screen on end of tube?, etc? anything that might logically prohibit it from dropping into the oil resevoir?.
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/ <br />I would try spending some time getting it out passively before getting into an invasive procedure like removing the oil pan. Also, remove the oil pan drain plug...is it close by? try adding oil (maybe even pump in...with the drain plug open and see if it shows up, that way you'll know whether or not it is still in the dipstick tube. <br /><br />Sorry for the lengthy reply...
