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Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:03 am

Through some searching, I found this thread which desribes somewhat similar symptoms:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=296969&highlight=oil+dipstick+tube

Beginning yesterday, I have a substantial amount of oil that seems to be coming from the dipstick tube. I suppose it could be coming out of either the top of the tube where the dipstick mates to the tube, or from where the tube comes through the shroud.

I already pulled the fan off and although there is oil in the shroud, the hub seal is dry (not oily). The back of the fan itself is bone dry.
Also, I did the screwdriver trick to make my dipstick more secure in the tube (see other thread). That didn't seem to help.

Now I just put on a Viton tube seal on Saturday. Coincidence? Perhaps...but that area seems pretty oil free.

Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:28 am

Yeah... it all still leaks a year later :lol: . I have no idea what it's problem is. I did replace the "O" ring seal behind the fan and the kind of helped but there's still spray and dripping from somewhere. It dosen't come out enough to empty the case so I really don't worry about it and just keep an eye on the oil level.

Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:37 am

Maybe changing the lower seal prevents any pressure from escaping so it's finding the next exit. Hows the O ring in the dipstick cap?

Of course pressure in the crankcase isn't a good thing, how's the breather valve on top of the tower looking? full of crap?

Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:59 am

busdaddy wrote: Maybe changing the lower seal prevents any pressure from escaping so it's finding the next exit. Hows the O ring in the dipstick cap?

Of course pressure in the crankcase isn't a good thing, how's the breather valve on top of the tower looking? full of crap?

That would be my guess. Somehow, your case has too much pressure and is pushing the oil out of the weak spot. Just a matter of finding out the source of the excess pressure.

Mitch

Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:02 am

busdaddy wrote: Maybe changing the lower seal prevents any pressure from escaping so it's finding the next exit. Hows the O ring in the dipstick cap?

Of course pressure in the crankcase isn't a good thing, how's the breather valve on top of the tower looking? full of crap?

The o-ring in the cap is suspect for sure. It was dark last night, but it seemed like the original felt in there.
Anyone have a o-ring size for the dipstick cap?

The breather valve was pulsing air through the pinhole on the top as usual. I'll have to open it up and see..

Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:08 am

EZ Gruv wrote: Anyone have a o-ring size for the dipstick cap?..

Can't say I've ever noticed the size, take your dipstick into the FLAPS with you and try a few chubby ones until you find one you like.

(Boy, if I reworded that statement a bit I could end up in someones sig line :P )

Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:13 am

busdaddy wrote:

(Boy, if I reworded that statement a bit I could end up in someones sig line :P )

Looks about right to me :lol:

Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:03 am

Pull out your oil pressure relief valves and take a look. Clean and reinstall. Might do the trick.

Frank

Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:16 am

... bad piston rings, ie blowby.

Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:14 pm

Picked up a box of o-rings of varying sizes at Pep Boys. I started with a 6mm ID stuffed way up in the cap. Figuring there was room for improvement, I stuck a 5mm ID ring on there as well.

Now I can feel the dipstick becoming snug in the tube.
I did the install in the Pep Boys parking lot and wiped up the oil that was on the engine tin.
Once I got home, I didn't notice any new oil.

I spent some time cleaning up everything once at home. I pulled the breather box apart and cleaned it as well as I could as well.

I ran it for a few minutes in the driveway with no leak. We'll see how it goes on the way to work tomorrow.

Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:23 pm

To check for blowby take off the oil cap with the engine running. If the engine is "perfect" there will be no pressure, if you put your hand over the opening it may develop a slight vacuum.

A little air coming out means your engine is somewhat worn but good for many more miles. If it is really blowing out it is time for a rebuild.

Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:31 pm

I would agree with what everyone said about too much pressure in the case. I didn't notice I pinched the crankcase breather hose once by readjusting the air cleaner on my bug and oil kept coming out of the dipstick.

Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:13 pm

What oil are you running? Some oils can foam badly at times and will blow oil out of any and all available orifices.

Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:18 pm

I run Castrol 20/50; same since day one.

Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:49 pm

replace the hose running from the breather to the S tube if it is soft or collapsed.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:31 am

After the standard commute to work, there was no oil on the tin or anywhere else noticable. I took a new photo, but have no way to upload it at work.

We'll see what it looks like after I get home tonight.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:51 am

You need to make sure you crankcase breather and it's plumbing is in order. Sounds like it is plugged.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:55 am

stevem49090 wrote: You need to make sure you crankcase breather and it's plumbing is in order. Sounds like it is plugged.

I wrote: I pulled the breather box apart and cleaned it as well as I could as well.

The hose from the breather to the s-boot is clear and in good shape.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 4:52 pm

What's odd about your pic is your fan is oily, the filler tube boot is oily but your foam engine seal looks new.

The O-ring on the dipstick wont cure the blow-by issue (yes I've tried that too)...and if that's coming out of your dipstick, I would say blow-by. How do I make that assumption...(will stop leak!)

Engine still running strong with decent compression, just too much positive case pressure (blow-by), and my breather is clean and piped direct to my air filter. The stock dip-stick came with a tiny bit of cork, but it's not a pressure plug by any means.

Sure, it takes an extra 30 seconds to check the oil...

but I'm still on the road. ;)

Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:00 pm

The engine seal had small deposits of oil, but it's realtively new.

Here is the area after a day's use:

Not too shabby.