I had the dip stick break off. It came out with about 7 inches attached to the handle and the remainder in the fluid tube. Any ideas how to get the piece inside out? Does to tube come off or is it to the garage?

 

What year/model?

 

2005 Cooper S

 

Common issue....the fiberglass/plastic fatigues after a bit...
I replaced mine with a craven speed one...all metal...about 2x the cost of a new OEM one (about 55 vs 25 $.
My take....just drain the oil...the end (assuming it is the tip 1 inch or so) should drop out with the oil....might take an extra quart to help flush it out.
Maybe somebody will share their experience.... But it has happened to a few owners over the years.

 

Sorry to hear about that. I hope the repair goes smoothly!

 

http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...-comments.html. post#9

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...87-post30.html

Good luck.

PS: For the last seven years I have read so many broken dipstick encounters that I finally broke down and bought a Cravensppeed dipstick, which is a quality product. The cost is well worth the peace of mind.

 

Update: I would suggest mini owners get rid of the factory dip stick and replace it with one made of metal. The only way to get the half of my dip stick left in the tube out is to drop the oil pan and pull it out from the bottom. You need to have replacement gaskets ready. About a $600.00 job at the mini dealership. Has anyone out there dropped the pan themselves? Is it that hard for someone who is not really that much of a wrench turner?

 

I've dropped the pan on other cars, so I can't speak for the mini specifically, but it's not a difficult task. Just kinda messy.

 

I removed mine by disassembling the front. Removing the bumper skin, inner support, loosen the radiator support and moved the radiator forward enough to take out the bolts holding the dipstick tube. I pulled out the tube then removed the broken dipstick. The hardest part was getting the tube back in.
Took about a 1 1/2 hrs (slow worker).
I found a good right-up about it by searching on Google but can't seem to find it now.

 

Here is the youtube video ovithe complete oil pan gasket job...