As others have suggested you need to check the breather hose. You also need
to check the heated orifice for blockage. If there is carbon there you may
also need to remove the breather tower and clean that. However, the dipstick
blowing out was not the cause of the power loss. You will need to work on
that.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Chris Paquette
Sent: Monday, October 7, 2013 9:32 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Dipstick Blowing Out? Urgent.

Had an unusual event in my '88 Westy a couple of days ago. I was heading up
a long incline (the Sepulveda Pass on the Sepulveda Pass on the 405 in Los
Angles) when I started to lose power badly. When I pulled over I saw a
slight oil leakage on the pavement below the engine compartment.

The mechanic - who is honest but not a VW guy - said that the dipstick had
been blown out, and later said this could be indicative of needing a ring
job or a complete engine rebuild. He said that for now, he's left the
dipstick not fully pushed in to avoid the pressure buildup.

The problem is that I was to leave tomorrow (Tuesday) morning on a trip from
Los Angeles to my new place in Seattle, a trip of more than 1,000 miles.

Anyone have experience with dipstick blowout? Is it usually indicative of
needing an engine rebuild? Is this a serious sign that I should not take the
Westy on the road?

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Chris in Los Angeles