Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
VanagonEuroVan
Subject:Dipstick Popping Out / Oil Spray on Hatch
From:DaBomb
Date:Thu, 31 Jul 2003 02:36:17 -0700

It's me, stressing out in Los Angeles, and hoping the list can help.
I got an engine rebuild in January on my '89 GL.  Now here's the deal:

My dipstick keeps popping out.  Then, the other day after coming home off
the the freeway I had an oil spray all over my rear hatch when I got home.
**Yet the dipstick was intact.**  There was an oil leak over night beneath
the filler tube, however

So, a spring was placed on the dipstick to keep it in and it seemed to solve
the problem, although I haven't been able to drive on the freeway due to a
running rich problem which will be taken care of on Friday, so I can't tell
if my solution is really working.

Still curious, I searched the archives and read a few possiblities as to why
my dipstick pops out.  Such as: compression in crank case, blocked breather
tube, etc.

The reason I'm writing: I read a post which I copied  below.

> Our '88 was continually losing oil also, but not leaking or burning.  I
> discovered a stupid little detail that solved the problem.  The dipstick was
> forcing itself out at high engine speeds. I squeezed the dipstick tube a
> little to hold the dipstick tighter and that stopped the oil loss!!

Putting a spring on the dip stick *apparently* solved the problem, similar
to the solution above.  Or did it?  Are the above referenced problems
possible? As I've said I just had an engine rebuild and am worried to death
it could be worse than my work around solution.

How do I go about determining the real cause for my dip stick popping out
and the oil spray?  I can not seem to find a mechanic in Los Angeles who can
help solve my current problems instead of creating new ones.  Please help me
understand what's going on.

Love and Rockets,
DaBomb

Have something to add on this topic today? Revive this thread in the forum »