Leaking dipstick!

[lacroupade]

you could do a cyl leakage test which involves removing injectors and fitting a low pressure air feed with the piston on TDC (compression) on the cyl under test (put vehicle in gear or it will set off if piston moves) apply some air then listen to how much it leaks, see if one is worse than others,sykes pickavant or someone probably make a kit for doing all this but that is how we used to do it years ago

ssteve

its a good point ssteve but by the time I've lashed out for the kit I suppose i could get a decent diesel specialist to have a look, especially as I'm not that confident. I think I'll change the oil and filter first and see what effect that has...especially since i've got no other obvious problems....

 

[ssteve]

its a good point ssteve but by the time I've lashed out for the kit I suppose i could get a decent diesel specialist to have a look, especially as I'm not that confident. I think I'll change the oil and filter first and see what effect that has...especially since i've got no other obvious problems....

changing oil might make a temporary difference but oil filt will do nowt

ssteve

 

[Toolbox]

Did you run it with the breather pipe disconnected from the rocker cover, if there is a lot of blow by then you would have a lot of fumes coming from the pipe.

What grade of oil was fitted last time?

 

[lacroupade]

changing oil might make a temporary difference but oil filt will do nowt

ssteve

not even if its partially blocked or has a dodgy non-return valve?

 

[ssteve]

not even if its partially blocked or has a dodgy non-return valve?

might sieze engine but nowt to do with back pressure
ssteve

 

[lacroupade]

Did you run it with the breather pipe disconnected from the rocker cover, if there is a lot of blow by then you would have a lot of fumes coming from the pipe.

What grade of oil was fitted last time?

Don't know what the oil grade was Jeremy. Put thumb over inlet pipe to oil catcher tank on tickover and moderate pressure felt but nothing excessive....mind you I'm only getting this oil blowing out when I'm doing fast motorway runs so light pressure on tickover could get much worse at revs....

 

[ssteve]

the top.

has it got a "o" ring on the dipstick top that needs replaced?????
ssteve

 

[lacroupade]

has it got a "o" ring on the dipstick top that needs replaced?????
ssteve

well it appeared to be present ssteve but i'll have a closer look tomorrow.....often the obvious stupid stuff isn't it!

 

[Toolbox]

has it got a "o" ring on the dipstick top that needs replaced?????
ssteve

Yes think you need to look at that first, most engines will blow oil out the stick if its not in properly or sealing, then change the oil with the correct grade and go from there.

Back to basics.

 

[lacroupade]

Yes think you need to look at that first, most engines will blow oil out the stick if its not in properly or sealing, then change the oil with the correct grade and go from there.

Back to basics.

Thanks for that Jeremy/Steve- will have a bash next couple of days and report back! Time for bed I think ...:thumb2

 

[lacroupade]

I caved in - got a man in to do the dirty work, but sounds much better.

He tells me the filter he took off was about a third the size it should have been - probably why I don't recall seeing the damn thing!! - but would have caused a pressure build-up he confirmed, so hoping the dipstick leak will go away now.

So much for professional garages.....

Engine a lot quieter anyway and he even washed it for me....! Cripes!

Just goes to show though -GET THE RIGHT CONSUMABLES FOR THE JOB - if in doubt, buy them yourself if someone else is servicing your truck.

 

[Wizzo]

Hi,don't normally reply to these threads but I feel I must comment on this one.

The oil filter will not cause crankcase pressure. This is caused by worn piston rings or a blown head gasket leaking gases into the oil return ways from the head to the crankcase.

As your truck has been running OK until a recent service and you add the odd litre of oil when you think it is nessesary I would guess that it was overfilled. When the guy has changed your oil / filter it now has the correct amount.

You say the truck is much quieter but has the leak gone ?

 

[lacroupade]

Hi,don't normally reply to these threads but I feel I must comment on this one.

The oil filter will not cause crankcase pressure. This is caused by worn piston rings or a blown head gasket leaking gases into the oil return ways from the head to the crankcase.

As your truck has been running OK until a recent service and you add the odd litre of oil when you think it is nessesary I would guess that it was overfilled. When the guy has changed your oil / filter it now has the correct amount.

You say the truck is much quieter but has the leak gone ?

Hi Wizzo..

I'm tempted to believe what the guy said for a number of reasons:

1. I know his background and he has worked for a long time in a number of dealer franchises, and his work as a mobile comes highly recommended.

2. If a filter is, as he said, around a third of the size it should be, then surely its going to be an issue? Now I think about it, I don't even remember seeing the flipping thing when I briefly looked the other day to recall which wheel needed to come off to get at it......

3. The motor has only done 60k-odd miles and is otherwise fine, so I don't suspect worn rings etc, especially on an engine like this one.

Yes it is a tad quieter, but mainly because I got him to do the tappets at the same time It certainly wasn't overfilled; that was one of the first things I checked.

Key thing is, I've given it a blast and the dipstick isn't leaking anymore, so whatever it was, the oil service seems to have done the trick....so everything crossed it doesn't come back! If it does, then clearly I'm into something more serious....