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dipstick keeps blowing out
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2018 3:55 pm
by Yolandi2
hi guys, bit of history first,
my head gasket blew a while ago and cracked a ring at the same time, so new rings all round, bores honed, head skimmed and rebuilt etc.
runs well but breathes a lot of oil for some reason now and when driven hard it blows the dipstick out, and subsequently a lot of oil as well
I've taken the cam cover off and left the breather gauze end in petrol for a few hours and a fair bit of sludge was flushed out of it, after all the petrol dried off I blew through it and there wasn't any resistance through the gauze but it is still popping the dipstick out,
what else could be causing this?
Re: dipstick keeps blowing out
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2018 12:19 pm
by mark1gls
Not had this problem but it does sound like a blocked breather, it might be worth checking the breather hoses after the rocker cover and possible clean out the metal gauze again, I block up the hole and soak mine in GUNK at least overnight or best all day then wash is out and leave to dry.
Other causes could be head gasket no sealed properly, have you done a compression test on all 4 cylinders?
Re: dipstick keeps blowing out
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2018 12:43 pm
by Yolandi2
I did a compression test before I did all the head gasket work and has readings of 160 on cly's 1-3 and 115 on cyl 4 (the snapped ring one)
upon further investigation cyl 3 had blown between the combustion chamber and the water channel,
after all repairs the compression was 150 across all cylinders before the ring bed-in period
Re: dipstick keeps blowing out
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2018 12:48 pm
by mark1gls
Maybe try a new dipstick tube incase the old one is worn and the dipstick is loose..... check it's the right type as there is 2 types of dip sticks.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mk1-Mk2-golf ... Sw4CFYwAGs
As I said not sure on a cause/cure as I've not had this problem...
Try a search on google for Mk1 golfs with the same problem??
Re: dipstick keeps blowing out
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2018 12:58 pm
by Yolandi2
ok ive ordered a new tube, so cheap might as well try it,
the other cause ive thought of, ive got an after market panel air filter on my carb with a simple 90degree plastic plumbing fitting for the breather on it, maybe the fitting it too narrow and is restricting it that way?
Re: dipstick keeps blowing out
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2018 7:59 pm
by mark1gls
Do you have a picture of what is fitted?
Re: dipstick keeps blowing out
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2018 2:18 pm
by Yolandi2
cant attach photos because the files are too big so they're here on dropbox
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rpuf9k19772t ... s9Spa?dl=0
Re: dipstick keeps blowing out
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2018 6:28 pm
by mark1gls
Pipe looks similar size to the original hose, can you blow down the hose ok and it’s clear of any blockages?
When changing the plastic dip stick tube holder go carful as when they get old they tend to break up into little bits when trying to remove them and you don’t want any bits dropping into the sump.
Re: dipstick keeps blowing out
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:28 pm
by Yolandi2
I can confirm that the hose is completely clear apart from the usual oil lining the insides of it
Re: dipstick keeps blowing out
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 11:02 pm
by james butler
is the dipstick housing cracked?
maybe its not allowing the dipstick to grip properly in its housing?
Re: dipstick keeps blowing out
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 11:24 pm
by Yolandi2
all sorted now guys, it was the dipstick tube after all, the old tube you could pull the stick out with one finger now it actually requires force to pull it out and push it back in lol I love a cheap fix
thanks again
Re: dipstick keeps blowing out
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2018 7:51 pm
by mark1gls
Glad it’s sorted and a simple cheap fix and you did not pull the engine apart trying to find a fault....

Re: dipstick keeps blowing out
Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 10:11 pm
by Nuckleduster
Hi all, The best way to clean out the gauze in the rocker is to soak it in petrol and set light to it--marvelous how much crap comes out after the flames are gone. Found this out when I had a slipping clutch caused by oil getting past crankshaft seal and getting on clutch. Burnt out the gauze filter and clutch slip in 3-4th gear gone. Ran car for another 40k without any further problems. Sometimes urban mechanic fixes work best--only thing was the cover needed repainting.
Gerry