The answers to the above referenced problems on my Vanagon turned out to be:
- dipstick popping out: rubber gasket on dipstick was old and worn. replace with new dipstick and has not popped out since.
- oil spray on hatch: turned out to be (drum roll) the filler tube. (thanks Deborah!)
Thanks to all the Volks who responded to my post.
Love and Rockets, DaBomb
> 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 |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.