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Dipstick Dip Stick popped, popping, blow, blowing, blew out [Merged]

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scrcco

20+ Year Contributor
39
2
Jun 10, 2002
Bowie, Maryland
I just installed a different head after my timing belt went. Everything is back together and the break-in period is over. Last night i revved past 5,000 rpm. for the first time and noticed it was struggling, I let off at 5,500. Then a riced-out Honda cruised by so i stepped on it, went to about 6,000 rpm's, now theres a huge cloud of smoke behind my car. I opened the hood to notice my dipstick shot up, and oil sprayed all over the underneath of my hood, then dripped all over the motor and exhaust. What could be the problem? I already replaced the PCV valve and does the same thing???
 
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its most likely your pvc valve. when this valve goes bad it doesnt alow the built up vacum in the engine to release. with now where for this pressure to release its forced out by blowing the stick out. this happened to me and that fixed the problem. also make sure your vacum line on the valve cover isnt cloged
 
I will start by saying i never ever popped the dipstick until recently. I installed some hks 272 cams and increased the boost some and it does not do it always just after a few good pulls to red line it will pop out my dipstick and spray oil, With that being said i checked the pcv it checked out good ( i ordered a new one just to be safe) Cleaned my filter i have on the VC breather, compression checked my motor was 165-175 across the board on a warm motor, and leak down tested everything checked out. Last year head was off and has new seals and everything. My dipstick feels like it might have worn the seal out again already, Am i correct in thinking new pcv and dipstick will hopefully fix this issue or do i need to run a new set up to pull the crankcase pressure out? car is going off of my lb/min logging around 430-440whp.
 
Think of it this way: a dipstick popping out is like a warning device showing that a dipstick isn't supposed to pop out under reasonable conditions.

You got some major blowby happening and we need to find a way to rid, or, at least decrease this pressure.

This popping out of the dipstick is a "safety valve"of sorts to relieve all of this pressure from keeping this pressure from blowing out both the main crank seals..and if this happens, you lose so much oil in a quick that it will suddenly destroy the motor...esp when you're doing WOT pulls.

When you're under boost, the PCV valve is actually fully closed and all pressure heads out the head cover breather tube to go back into the turbo inlet.
 
Your crank case pressure is simply too high. I'm surprised you don't have a catch can setup for better ventilation, with bigger hoses to the VC. You shouldn't be running a filter at the stock breather port either because now you have no vacuum to help pull the air out of the crankcase under boost. Also if you are running stock maf you have unmetered air going in the system as well.
Get yourself a nice sealed catch can with some beefy hoses to the VC and you won't have that issue. Just my .02 cents
Hope this helps!
 
I am using one of these, 3/8" Kynar® Standard Check Valves | U.S. Plastic Corp. They are very reasonable and fit in line with your pcv valve. They are rated at 100-150psi and 28 hg vacuum. Works to keep turbo pressure out of your valve cover coming thru your pcv valve. Not saying it isn't doing its job but this will make sure it doesn't let pressure in that way. They were cheap enough that I ordered two.
 
Get that check valve! A stock PCV valve barely holds back 10psi on a good day. I ditched the PCV valve altogether.

A nice seal Calan catch can properly routed is very effective! I just emptied mine of some nasty crap that it kept out of my oil.
 
I just wanted to post an alternative to buying a new oil dipstick, but if you have the money get a new one and don't look back.

I had a bad oil leak from my old oil dipstick, a while ago, so I bought a one foot piece of vacuum line from an auto parts store [they sell it by the foot], I then cut about a 2-3 inch piece off the one foot section, and then I sleeved it on the dipstick, and so far I have had no oil leak issues, the only problem is, it was just kinda harder to check the oil level with the hose on there, but I'll take that to a messy under hood oil leak any-day.
 
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I have a new Pcv comming a check valve new dipstick and will be running a catch can off the vc breather. Guess ill have to drill my fp intake pipe to put a nipple on it anyone had problems drilling the fp intake pipes? I suppose it's hopefully from the extra boost I'm running 26psi right now and logging 45lb/min
 
but I'll take that to a boost leak any-day./QUOTE]
For the record it's not possible to have a boost leak at the dipstick as its not part of the intake.

The filter is part of your problem as stated above.
 
If you havent explored the link that someone posted above....you may want to go ahead and check it out. Good write up. My ideas came from this link. I still need the catch can myself, but it isnt too complicated.
 
I am not home or I would send you a picture. It simply goes inline between the vacuum port and the pcv valve. I just cut my line (3/8 gas line) and installed it with a hose clamp on each end. Make sure it of course points in the correct direction. Suck on one end while it is new, if you can suck thru it mark that side as the vacuum side. Then try BLOWING thru the same side. If you cant blow thru it then you have it marked correctly and install that side on the vacuum port side of the hose with the other end going to the pcv valve. It fits right in line with the hose you are currently using and I didn't have to trim any hose off since its not a very big valve. If you still need pictures, PM me this afternoon and when I get home I will send you a picture of mine to help you out.
:thumb:
 
My car did that a few times the o ring on The dipstick was rock hard. I just got a new one and it hasnt happened since. If your running a breather filter is there a reason you kept the stock pcv setup? I know some people dont think its the best way but i just run 2 hoses off my valve cover down towards the ground.
 
Common issue on rubber seals that get hot over time I guess, glad I'm not the only one who randomly opens there hood just to push the dipstick back down the tiny amount it pops up every so often.
 
Either the aftermarket dipstick,or the catch can idea will work. you only need one catch can,and it can be plummed in so the oil it catches,returns to the pan. I have a bolt with a hole drilled in it,with an AN fitting welded to it,that threads into the block,where the screwdriver would go to make sure the balance shaft is aligned properly for doin the timing belt,and it drains out of my catch can,back into the block.
Bad idea draining the crap from the catch can back into your block. Bad idea! I would have the line from your block feed the pressure into the catch can and the other line go to your turbo intake. The catch can should be drained manually by you and thrown away.
 
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