Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 21:38:20 -0400
Reply-To: Maynard Southard <echomhs@GIS.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Maynard Southard <echomhs@GIS.NET>
Subject: Re: Leaking oil dipstick tube
Jeffrey:
I have both the separate long dipstick tube ('86 DoubleCab Diesel) and
the integrated oil-filler dipstick ('82 Westy Diesel). I agree with
Mark ... the separate long dipstick is a superior design. I bought a
new dipstick and tube from the Bus Depot so that I can upgrade the
Westy when I install the '84 Jetta TD engine this summer.
Shortly after I got my DoubleCab, I noticed the same problem you are
having. I found the little o-ring was brittle and replaced it. You
put the o-ring on the tube (from the bottom) and slide it up to the
washer (the washer can only go so far up). Before reinstalling the
tube, I cleaned out the little recessed lip in the block so that the
o-ring contacted a clean surface. Also, make sure you push the tube
down as far as it will go and that you secure the top of the tube to
the alternator pivot bolt. I found that my pivot bolt had broken and
that had allowed the dipstick tube to vibrate loose. (That long
90-degree sweep gave it plenty of leverage - not like those short
straight tubes on the cars.)
BTW, is this a 5 speed?
Maynard
'86 DoubleCab Diesel "Col. Potter"
'02 EV GLS "AMPvan"
'00 Golf GLS TDI "WooHoo"
'82 Westy Diesel "Reinhardt"
On Wednesday, May 14, 2003 6:23 PM, mark drillock
<drillock@EARTHLINK.NET> wrote:
> 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.
> >
|