20 replies to this topic

[Walkers1985]

Right been struggling with this problem for around a year now where every so often my standard 73 998cc clubman sprays around a litre (from max to min) of oil all over the back of my weather guard from the splatter patterns it looks to be coming from the dipstick hole.

My first thought was crap that's bad so had a compression test done and it all came back fine.

The car has no knocks, rattles or bangs runs smoothly even managed the l2b this year without issue. Engine has done around 78000 and i have had the head off and all looks to be OK with the pistons and everything.
The breathers are clear and I've changed the filler cap just in case, I've tried a heavier dipstick with no luck.
Also it doesn't do this all the time sometimes months will pass without this happening and other times it'll happen several times a week.

So has anyone got any ideas?

The only thing I haven't done is the pressure relief valve how likely is it that this is the issue or am I just clutching at straws?

[sledgehammer]

I would bung up the dip stick hole , & rev it up - if it stops leaking -

 

- then blow by is the problem , venting from the dip stick hole

 

if it still leaks -

 

- it sounds like the oil filter feed pipe is damaged to me , or banjo bolt , copper washer , oil filter housing , or even oil filter

 

I have seen dip sticks with springs on - but that is to stop them rattling around

 

how much blow by is there from the filler hole ?

 

and has it got the correct dip stick ? -

 

have seen in the past a short dip stick (oo err misses) , meaning the oil level is high and is hitting the crank

 

that kicks up a lot of oil that leaks everywhere

 

also a spray pattern isn't always from the nearest component - a jet of oil can be small but powerful & can spray across quite a distance

Edited by sledgehammer, 07 December 2016 - 11:09 PM.

[Walkers1985]

I did try bunging up the dipstick with some plumbers tape wrapped around the dipstick and it didn't lose any oil but was worried it was a coincidence.

Hadn't considered the feed pipe will try changing that as well thanks.

[nicklouse]

Check none of your breathers are blocked.

So they can do what they should do.



Also check the pipe thst goes across the block.

I would also stick some masking tape strips across the block to help ID where the leak is. And check often.

[Walkers1985]

Breathers are fine,
Will check feed pipe hope it's not that they're quite pricey and hard to get hold of.
Although still preferable to pistons and engine rebuild.

[sledgehammer]

also check for double 'o' rings on the oil filter - it's unlikely , but have seen where an old oil filter o ring has stayed on the housing

 

and someone has put a new oil filter on - the oil pressure was too much for the 2 o rings , so a jet of oil squirted out

 

but it usually blows the seal out of the side of the oil filter

[sledgehammer]

Breathers are fine,
Will check feed pipe hope it's not that they're quite pricey and hard to get hold of.
Although still preferable to pistons and engine rebuild.

 

if it is leaking you could get the barbed hose connectors & oil safe hose for the oil cooler kit

 

you need to find the size of the thread , as the ones on ebay are a silly price

[Spider]

Probably gummy rings.

 

Try an oil change for a diesel lube oil for about 300 miles and change back to something of quality.

[Walkers1985]

Had a thought am I using the correct dipstick?

http://www.minispare...cks.aspx?1~2~23

I'm using the number 12 one without a tube on a 998cc it just sits on top of the block. Is a bit fiddly to get in and kind of sits at an angle and is a very loose fit.
Tried to get a pic up but couldn't upload it.

This is how it was when I bought it so just assumed it was right.

Edited by Walkers1985, 08 December 2016 - 10:44 AM.

[sledgehammer]

is that engine a replacement a+  ?

 

I think a 998 1973 engine should have a tube & be a non + engine

 

(all the above is my recollection - I've got a poor memory)

 

a+ engines are ribbed for extra pleasure strength

 

& have a simpler dizzi clamp - & other bit's

Edited by sledgehammer, 08 December 2016 - 10:50 AM.

[Walkers1985]

I meant when I bought the car last year I think it's the original engine, the guy never mentioned an engine change. I see, I'm finding so many bodges it's hard to know what's right and what's a it'll do moment.

I guess best way to check would be to get a tube and then when I do my oil change fit it and see if when I fill it up with the correct amount of oil it hits the max mark?

Edited by Walkers1985, 08 December 2016 - 11:09 AM.

[Walkers1985]

 20161208_103754_crop_967x285.jpg   27.75K   9 downloads

Finally found out how to put up pics, so this is the dipstick I'm using without the nylon tube on the engine block.

[nicklouse]

all dipsticks are the same.

 

the difference is the As had a press fit tube and the A+ did not. you cant fit an A tube into a A+ block. and if you could the oil would be 2" too high.

[Walkers1985]

OK well that might explain my problem then as I have just checked and I do have a pre a+ engine without the nylon tube bit which would explain the loose fit. Also means I've been running it low on oil for around a year now. Swear to godo the guy I bought this off is the biggest bodger known to man.

[nicklouse]

no idea about the nylon. maybe it was changed or aftermarket part but the originals were steel.

 

some images

A+

 

and an A