You Dipstick Rodney!

[Jimbob-Squarepants]

Hi y'all

I would like to ask a question about my dipstick. On top of the dipstick tube there looks like there's a rubber 'O' ring, and on top of the dipstick there is a 'top hat' if you like. Is this meant to have a tight push on fit with the dipstick tube, or is it meant to be like a stick down an alley?

The reason I ask is, if I have given the car a bit of welly in 1st & 2nd, the dipstick pops out by about an inch which causes oil to drip onto the exhaust manifold and then that likes to catch fire... like it did earlier in the week :shock:

I have checked the engine breathers and all are clear, but someone has fitted what looks like a fuel filter to the rear crank case breather (the one that goes into the rear of the air box). Should that filter be on that pipe?

If I drive it nice and normal, the dipstick remains down :?

As always, your replies and idea's are appreciated.
Cheers
Jim

 

[2Diesels]

Hi Jim I'm no expert on V8s but I would try a fresh o-ring on the tube as I'm sure it would tighten the stick up a bit, but rising dipsticks are normally down to back pressure which could simply be blocked flame traps or worst case a worn out engine but I would start with the simple stuff first. I've no idea about that filter in the pipe to the airbox but I'm sure some of the V8 people on here could advise. I had a Viva with such bad back pressure that simply raising the revs above tickover caused the dipstick to hover & a good hard blip of the throttle threw it out completely.

Hope it's nothing serious
Colin

 

[Demetris]

Hi y'all

The reason I ask is, if I have given the car a bit of welly in 1st & 2nd, the dipstick pops out by about an inch which causes oil to drip onto the exhaust manifold and then that likes to catch fire... like it did earlier in the week :shock:

No need to worry on this! It seems that you have a very rare boy racer factory approved option that produces flames when you floor the throttle!


On a more serious note, the "filter" that you probably refer too should be the flame trap. Not much to do with the aformentioned flames, but it is supposed to prevent flames from carb back fires to enter the crankcase. However, it appears that you have too much crank case pressure, probably because of piston blow by and partially or completely blocked engine breathers. You should check the respective hoses and the flame trap. I wouldn't be surprised if you have some serious oil leaks from all sorts of gaskets and seals because of the high crankcase pressure.

Demetris

 

[MJP6B]

As Colin and Demitris have stated, the amount of crankcase pressure you are experiencing, if the flame traps and rubber pipes are clean & clear, also the camshaft and cam follower breather pipe and filter is free, indicates worn bores and/or piston rings - either worn or broken. The camshaft breather filter connected by pipes to the rear of the air filter is as stated the same item as the petrol filter (old part no 606168) without the use of the olives etc.
It is worth double checking that the flame trap rubber pipes have not collapsed internally, also check that the aperture of the brass pipe into the carb venturi is clear - also of course the corresponding rocker cover connection pipes.
I am always optomistic until the worst is confirmed ! Good luck