Date:         Wed, 14 May 2003 11:36:03 -0700
Reply-To:     mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Leaking oil dipstick tube
Comments: To: Jeffrey Earl <jefferrata@YAHOO.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Jeffery, you have the later and better setup. The 82 diesel oil
dipstick/fill tube has several flaws and all later diesel years used the
type such as yours. The later dipstick tube just pushes into a hole in
the block. There is an "o"ring and a small washer that combine to make a
seal. The VW dealer sells them and those 2 parts are the same as many I4
gas engines. I just replaced a set on one of my 83 diesel Vanagons that
was leaking there.

You may have one of the last diesel Vanagons made for export to North
America but they made them for many years after that for other markets.
Most turbo diesels though.

Mark


Jeffrey Earl wrote:
>
> My question can perhaps be answered by other diesel
> Vanagon owners, or those who have done a VW I4
> conversion.
>
> How exactly is the oil dipstick tube AFFIXED to the
> engine block on a VW inline-4 (I suppose the
> waterboxers may be done similarly)?
>
> Is it threaded into the block, or is it a press-fit?
> Are they prone to cracking from vibration?
>
> My Vanagon bears a production date of 3/83, so was
> probably one of the last diesel Vanagons produced.
> Every other diesel Vanagon I've seen has its oil
> dipstick integrated into the oil fill cap, and this is
> what's shown in my Owners Manual. But mine, which I'm
> sure is original, has its dipstick tube exiting from
> the block in the usual place for GASOLINE I4
> engines--down near the filter mount. From here it runs
> straight upward and gently curves a full 90 degrees
> rearward to end just behind the license-plate door,
> from where one can grasp the dipstick handle.
>
>