Date:         Thu, 31 Jul 2003 02:36:17 -0700
Reply-To:     DaBomb <dabomb@TANJABARNES.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         DaBomb <dabomb@TANJABARNES.COM>
Subject:      Dipstick Popping Out / Oil Spray on Hatch
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

It's me, stressing out in Los Angeles, and hoping the list can help.
I got an engine rebuild in January on my '89 GL.  Now here's the deal:

My dipstick keeps popping out.  Then, the other day after coming home off
the the freeway I had an oil spray all over my rear hatch when I got home.
**Yet the dipstick was intact.**  There was an oil leak over night beneath
the filler tube, however

So, a spring was placed on the dipstick to keep it in and it seemed to solve
the problem, although I haven't been able to drive on the freeway due to a
running rich problem which will be taken care of on Friday, so I can't tell
if my solution is really working.

Still curious, I searched the archives and read a few possiblities as to why
my dipstick pops out.  Such as: compression in crank case, blocked breather
tube, etc.

The reason I'm writing: I read a post which I copied  below.

> Our '88 was continually losing oil also, but not leaking or burning.  I
> discovered a stupid little detail that solved the problem.  The dipstick was
> forcing itself out at high engine speeds. I squeezed the dipstick tube a
> little to hold the dipstick tighter and that stopped the oil loss!!


Putting a spring on the dip stick *apparently* solved the problem, similar
to the solution above.  Or did it?  Are the above referenced problems
possible? As I've said I just had an engine rebuild and am worried to death
it could be worse than my work around solution.

How do I go about determining the real cause for my dip stick popping out
and the oil spray?  I can not seem to find a mechanic in Los Angeles who can
help solve my current problems instead of creating new ones.  Please help me
understand what's going on.




Love and Rockets,
DaBomb