Jump to content
  • When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Dipstick popping out resulting in oil shower


AdamJ

Recommended Posts

I've searched on this topic but can't seem to find someone with the same issue.

A little history: 1972 2002. Smaller diameter dipstick. I just bought the car. It starts, runs fine but hasn't been on the road since '93 so I'm going down the list of issues to make it roadworthy again.

The problem is that when I take the car for a drive, the dipstick pops out and oil is showering over the inside of the engine bay.

Key facts:

1. the oil is not overfilled

2. the breather hose from the valve cover is attached to the air filter on the 32/36 carb. It is not blocked in anyway. There is visual oil vapor coming out and I have blown through the hose and connector with compressed air to make sure.

I've since wired the dipstick so it can't pop out and have driven it with no problems.

My main concerns are:

Do I have an excess of crankcase pressure?

What could be causing this?

Is there another vent in the block that could be clogged?

Will I end up blowing out a front or rear main seal?

Is it just a worn out rubber stopper on the dipstick? (I find this hard to believe because it is just a friction connection to the tube and if it were designed for say xx psi of crankcase pressure you would think the connection would have been more robust)

Anyway, it's a long post for a dumb problem. Feel free to berate me publicly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is a strange problem--it is hard to imagine enough oil being in the vicinity of the dipstick tube opening to be pushed out. It almost sounds like someone put a very long tube into the dipstick fitting such that it actually goes down into the oil in the pan. The I could see crankcase pressure pushing it out. Or, the oil return from the head to block has been welded shut, preventing crankcase pressure from exiting through the head breather.

Fred, 74tii

--Fred

'74tii (Colorado) track car

'69ti (Black/Red/Yellow) rolling resto track car

'73tii (Fjord....RIP)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My car has the EXACT same problem. I've done everything I can think of- brought the car to the baseline (adjusted valves, timing, carb), checked compression/leakdown, cleaned the breather outlet on the valve cover, disconnected my catch can, etc, all with no effect. The car runs beautifully.

My solution was the same as yours- wire the goddamn thing shut.

~Rob

'73 2002 Warmbold Rally Car Imitator

'89 325i Time Capsule

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Try replacing your PCV valve. That is what relieves the crank case pressure. The one on your cam cove just vents the head...

ClockWise MotorSports

'69 '02 Rat Rod O=00=O

'62 Chevy C10 w/SS 327

'63 Datsun 1200 pickup

'71 Datsun 510 Race Car

'70 Datsun Roadster

'78 Kawasaki KZ650 Street Cafe project

2010 Subby Forester (grocery getter)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Huh? These cars don't have PCV valves.

Guess you're right. I'm used to "Ratsuns"... LOL!

It could just be your rubber seal then, but the fact that oil is "showering" like you said, makes me think that there is excessive crank case pressure...

ClockWise MotorSports

'69 '02 Rat Rod O=00=O

'62 Chevy C10 w/SS 327

'63 Datsun 1200 pickup

'71 Datsun 510 Race Car

'70 Datsun Roadster

'78 Kawasaki KZ650 Street Cafe project

2010 Subby Forester (grocery getter)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Adam, No offense meant but your overthinking the problem.The oil is but into spray form by the crank.Your excessive crank case pressure is coming from where???? Only one place. Blow by.... You said the car hasent driven since 93.18 years is plenty of time for a ring to stick in place. Remember the rings both compression and oil scrapper are meant to have some movement. It sat for 18 years with no oil change.... If a compression test is not conclusive try a leak down. Take off the oil cap I will bet you have a breeze...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Anonymous

All of these hypotheticals are nice but you've got blowby. Pure and simple. There's no kanoodler redirecting oil flow to the tube combining with swamp gas and moonlight from venus.

A compression test may or may not tell you where it's leaking. A leakdown test is in order. Listen with a mechanics stethiscope while running the test.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ok I get it now. That has to be the case.

Next question: is it possible that a ring will "unstick" itself after driving around or is this a re-ring situation?

I'd invest $20 in some AutoRX, a diester cleaner. This stuff has helped those with heavily sludged engines. It is a slow cleaner to dissolve the stuff. I am half way thru a 325IX I bought that had a lot of deposites on the top side and they are almost gone.

Re-ringing leads into other costs as well. Pulling an engine down without renewing lots of stuff is wasted effort. Go for it if you desire.

A radiator shop is a good place to take a leak.

 

I have no idea what I'm doing but I know I'm really good at it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dead on.... At this point you could get lucky. I would check BD products as they also make some very popular additives used by pros.Remember the crank is spraying lubricant on the cylinder wall.But be patient as it coud take weeks-months.JMK is right re-ringing is the last resort...Do not wire the dipstick down. Get a piece of foam and rig something up.....If you wire it down you will BLOW every seal in the short block..... And really be patient as the chemical fix could take awhile...Good luck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan

    BMW Neue Klasse - a birth of a Sports Sedan

    Unveiling of the Neue Klasse Unveiled in 1961, BMW 1500 sedan was a revolutionary concept at the outset of the '60s. No tail fins or chrome fountains. Instead, what you got was understated and elegant, in a modern sense, exciting to drive as nearly any sports car, and yet still comfortable for four.   The elegant little sedan was an instant sensation. In the 1500, BMW not only found the long-term solution to its dire business straits but, more importantly, created an entirely new
    History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series

    History of the BMW 2002 and the 02 Series

    In 1966, BMW was practically unknown in the US unless you were a touring motorcycle enthusiast or had seen an Isetta given away on a quiz show.  BMW’s sales in the US that year were just 1253 cars.  Then BMW 1600-2 came to America’s shores, tripling US sales to 4564 the following year, boosted by favorable articles in the Buff Books. Car and Driver called it “the best $2500 sedan anywhere.”  Road & Track’s road test was equally enthusiastic.  Then, BMW took a cue from American manufacturers,
    The BMW 2002 Production Run

    The BMW 2002 Production Run

    BMW 02 series are like the original Volkswagen Beetles in one way (besides both being German classic cars)—throughout their long production, they all essentially look alike—at least to the uninitiated:  small, boxy, rear-wheel drive, two-door sedan.  Aficionados know better.   Not only were there three other body styles—none, unfortunately, exported to the US—but there were some significant visual and mechanical changes over their eleven-year production run.   I’ve extracted t
  • Upcoming Events

  • Supporting Vendors

×
×
  • Create New...