Date:         Wed, 24 Jan 2001 13:01:45 -0800
Reply-To:     T Berk <tberk@MINDSPRING.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         T Berk <tberk@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject:      Re: My toughest Vanagon problem yet finally solved!
Comments: To: Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@HOME.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Stuart MacMillan wrote:
>
> For months I've had a bit of an intermittent rough idle, and this slight
> miss at idle made it difficult to pass emissions due to high
> hydrocarbons.  I've tried everything to solve this, which is typically
> caused by a vacuum leak.  This engine is new, and I had the problem
> before installing it.  Every hose was replaced, and everything checked
> out EXCEPT for two things.
>
> Drum roll please . . .
>
> Air was leaking into the crankcase (and getting sucked into the intake
> manifold as unmeasured air though the crankcase ventilation system)
> around a hardened dipstick stopper and also around the joint between the
> plastic extension and metal oil fill tube! <snip>
> As the years go on for these vehicles the problems become more obscure!
> --
> Stuart MacMillan


I think the same dipstick attachment I use on the GTI I4 engine I have
is the same or sim as you might get from the dealer. They come in this
icky day glo orange ("the better to see in the dark my dear...") and are
cheap. Did I mention they are cheap? Snap right on the end of the metal
tube, holds the dipstick out at the right distance for accurate
readings, and apparently prevents crankcase leaks.  :)

hth,
TBerk