Jim,

Check the breather hose that runs from the side of the plenum chamber acroos
the top of the engine to the FI boot.  Mine was a heater hose which
gradually gunked up with old nasty spongy rubbe and finally blocked
completely.  Pressure was building up in the engine and blowing oil out the
dipstick.  My description was identical to yours.  Your dipstick is probably
fine, but the oil fill tube should be replaced because the crack is causing
a vacuum leak and affecting your fuel mixture.  Do the hose first and see if
your problems are basically fixed, then the oit tube more at your leisure.

Karl Wolz

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Snyder <jsnyder@DAVIS.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Monday, March 01, 1999 9:13 PM
Subject: need info on plastic oil filler on diesel

>Hi
>
>I recently purchased a diesel '82 Vanagon with a slight oil leak. The
>previous owner said that the plastic oil filler tube had a crack in it. Oil
>drips on the muffler when I drive on the freeway for a length of time.
>
>I also noticed that oil blows out the top of the dipstick and cap and gets
>over some of the back of my van in small droplets.
>
>This is the tube and cap behind the rear license plate which extends down
to
>the right side of the engine just above the oil pan.
>
>To be on the safe side, I plan to replace both parts, the tube and cap/oil
>dipstick. Does anyone know which part number these items are? I do not have
>a VW dealer within 50 miles and a couple local foreign car mechanics did
not
>know what I was talking about when I called today. Only one had ever worked
>on a diesel Vanagon.
>
>Other than the oil leak, the Vanagon runs great. It starts a little slow
>however, which I hope to remedy with a new set of glow plugs. I have put
>several hundred miles on it with no apparent problems.
>
>Many thanks in advance.
>
>Jim