Date:         Fri, 22 Dec 2023 23:15:13 -0500
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Dip stick, no jokes from Alistair
In-Reply-To:  <3FF1F393-B859-4685-9D30-5BF7EA7A1361@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

OK, 

        I had to go look again.  Of course by touch. 

I don’t think there is a O ring.  Maybe someone out there could double check with yours. 

My 84 engine with 80 K, dip stick is snug but not as tight as my 85 with basically 3K on the rebuilt GW 2.3 

So, makes me wonder if the dip stick is fine, but what is causing the oil to go up the tube in this unusual way? 

Oil level is right between the lines, and is Mobile 1 15/50.

This has been happening from day one, but I suspect only found because we were looking at it while running and hot from above.  Usually looked for source with engine off. 

So, why would there be oil pushing up the dip stick tube? 

Eric Caron 
85 Auto 




> On Dec 22, 2023, at 10:41 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
> 
> Hi Alistair,
> 
>        I have not looked again but, when I was with the local mechanic, I asked him the same question.  Is it a bad O ring?  He said the didn’t think it used a O Ring.  It felt to me sort of like a hard plastic plug at the end.  That is maybe wy making it a bit thicker with heat shrink might help. 
> 
> But, tomorrow I’ll compare the 85 dip stick with the 84 and see if they look different or if there is something missing. 
> 
>        I realize I could also switch dipsticks as they are both 2.3 GW engines and I could see if that solves the problem or creates a new one for the other van. 
> 
> Thanks for kick starting my brain.
> 
> Eric Caron 
> 
> 
>> On Dec 22, 2023, at 10:19 PM, Alistair Bell <ragnarhairybreeks@icloud.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Eric,
>> 
>> I’m writing this quickly, forgive any misunderstanding 
>> 
>> Isn’t there an o ring in the dipstick to seal it to tube?
>> 
>> Alistair 
>> 
>>> On Dec 22, 2023, at 6:05 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi Dennis,
>>> 
>>>      I’m surprised it is leaking from the end of the tube.  If this isn’t normal, what could cause it?
>>> 
>>> Oil pressure is high when starting over 60 PSI and about 40 when warm.
>>> 
>>> Dip stick seems to fit well
>>> You have repaired some with heat shrink, was this due to a similar leaking from the top of the dip stick tube?
>>> 
>>> I’m wondering if others had this happen, and why, and how to fix.
>>> 
>>> Thanks for the tip on the heat shrink idea.
>>> 
>>> Eric Caron
>>> 85 Auto
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On Dec 22, 2023, at 2:15 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Van Café often has new dipsticks and tubes available. I have used thin wall shrink tube to tighten the seal on the stick.
>>>> It is not normal for oil to actually be getting pushed that high.
>>>> 
>>>> Dennis
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Eric Caron
>>>> Sent: Thursday, December 21, 2023 8:45 PM
>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>> Subject: Dip stick, no jokes from Alistair
>>>> 
>>>> Seriously,
>>>> 
>>>>    OK, as long as I solve the problem, go ahead with the dick stick jokes.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> So, After a long drive we were looking over my 85 with new GW motor and the mechanic noticed oil seeping out of the top of the dip stick.
>>>> 
>>>>    He asked me about my oil level.  
>>>> 
>>>> I had just check it and it was exactly between the lines.
>>>> 
>>>> So, he suspects a faulty dip stick seal.
>>>> 
>>>> So, anyone ever have this happen?
>>>> 
>>>> Anyone know of a source of a dip stick for my 2.3 so a 2.1 engine
>>>> 
>>>> Or, anyone know how to safely modify this dip stick to seal tighter.
>>>> 
>>>> It is adding up to a messy situation
>>>> 
>>>> It seems like an easy fix to my confusion about where the oil is coming from.
>>>> 
>>>> I think he only noticed it because engine was running and had ben driven about 50 miles so the oil seep was visible coming right out of the dip stick top.
>>>> 
>>>> Experiences, solutions, and suggestions wanted.
>>>> 
>>>> Eric Caron
>>>> 85 2.3 GW auto