Oil leak from dipstick surround Type 4

[Bharry1980]

Having replaced my fuel pump on my 1.8 T4 engine I no longer have petrol fumes in the cab so thank you for your advice on that issue.

I've now noticed that I've got oil coming from where my dipstick goes through the tinware in front of the alternator and it forms a small pool in front of my fan so I've now got the smell of fresh oil in the cab!

I'm losing oil and when the oil gets below a certain level (about halfway between the two dipstick marks) the smell stops so I'm guessing it stops leaking through then.

Having looked at other posts, I'm thinking it could be the rubber dipstick bellow but I believe it's a pain of a job so I don't want to do that it if I don't have to.

Would a split bellow cause oil to get into the actual engine bay?

There's no oil leak when stationary but obviously I can't see when I'm driving.

Thanks for advice in advance

[Wasted youth]

The dipstick bellows/boot is important. It is my understanding that is one source of Type 4 engine vacuum leaks . Yes, it is rather difficult to replace but if it is cracked or old and you’re leaking there, you must replace it.

[Manfreds78bay]

There are a couple things I would check:

Is the oil coming out of the dip stick tube? Could you be over filling? Some of these engines do not have the same dip stick that came from the factory with the engine. You may want to change your oil, pour the exact amount the factory calls for into the engine then check your oil level.

The oil could be coming out of the crankcase breather just above that location. Check the gasket.

Is their a gasket in the top of the dipstick? There should be a small O ring at the top of the dip stick to prevent oil from shooting out of the dip stick tube. This could also be causing a vacuum leak.
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1985 VANAGON GL Digijet

There is no spoon.

[Bharry1980]

Thanks for those replies, guys.

I’m going to try the easier fixes first - I’m pretty sure the dipstick is original but it doesn’t have an o- ring.

I think my twin Webbers are affecting it too. The crankcase oil pressure breather is now just an open length of hose, positioned right under the main engine bay air intake. I’m going to reposition this and put a filter on it as I think it’s possibly struggling to relieve the oil pressure. I’ll put it nearer one of the air filters, failing that I’ll actually drill it into the top of one.