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

[scrcco]

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???

 

[SupremeDsm]

Well I'm only running 9 lbs of boost! So maybe it's time for an engine overhaul!

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Please, resolve the issue and don't just put a band-aid on it. The dipstick is blowing out for a reason, and that's bad. Just remember that pressure in the oil pan mean pressure on the bottom of the rings. This can cause premature failure, and is over all bad on the engine. The PCV system helps to prevent this from happening. Your PCV system must be bad in some way or another. Make sure you read into PCV systems and how they SHOULD operate on these vehicles.

Do NOT go with a locking dipstick. The pressure that's popping it out NEEDS to get out of the crank-case...just so happens that since it can't get out the proper way it's getting out the next best way. If you lock that dipstick in place.. where's it going to go?

 

[SupremeDsm]

Trust me I'm going to fix it the right way! I'm not the type to take short cuts on my cars! It's either dine right or not at all with me

 

[DSMTyson]

if you have a breathable oil catch can would it still be bad to have a lockable dipstick. I thought that it would be okay because the motor has a way to relieve itself of the pressure.

### correct me if im wrong, im new to this.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

if you have a breathable oil catch can would it still be bad to have a lockable dipstick. I thought that it would be okay because the motor has a way to relieve itself of the pressure.

### correct me if im wrong, im new to this.

No no, that's all good and well.

What's 'wrong' is to fix the "my dipstick is blowing out!" by modifying the dipstick tube or getting a locking dipstick. Like stated above, the PCV system is in place to relieve the pressure built up in the engine. If it's malfunctioning or allowing pressure INTO the engine where it's not needed, a sign of this is the dipstick blowing out.

You don't patch a problem like this, you dig in and you resolve it at it's source. If your Head gasket is blow and you're blowing coolant from the side of your head, do you silicone it up? No. You fix the head gasket. In this case, the PCV system needs to be tested and likely replaced in opposition to simply locking the dipstick in place and allowing pressure to build up.

A locking dipstick is fine (though pointless if the PCV system is functioning properly), and so is a catch-can....as LONG as the system is functioning properly. They are by no means a fix.

 

[SupremeDsm]

Well I alrdy replaced the PCV valve what else is there?

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Well I alrdy replaced the PCV valve what else is there?

The Valve on the back of the Valve cover that has a hose running into the intake manifold? It should only allow air to blow OUT of the valve cover and none IN.

The one on the side of the valve cover should run into your intake BEFORE the turbo. Just check and make sure these are correct.

After this you need to do a compression and a leakdown test. Worst case scenario : Your rings are toast and are allowing compression to leak past the rings.

 

[gst96spyderman]

Pressure @ bottom end = rebuild time...

Y not. Go ahead and rebuild her with some nice new internals... Eagle rods, wisco pistons...

No seriously, sounds like you need to recheck pcv install. See if there is anything obviously wrong there. Uninstall. Reinstall it, write a tech article about it, and see if that fixes problem. If not, sounds like you need some internals.

 

[AG 305]

same issue has been happening with me for a while now but i was certain it was just my dipstick that was old. i was able to pull it out with the tip of my pinky. replaced it and problem solved.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

PCV valves are known to leak, even new ones. An easy way to FIX this (9 times out of 10) is to install a check valve between the PCV valve and the intake manifold. Here is the check valve that you need: 3/8" Kynar® Standard Check Valves | U.S. Plastic Corp.. It's an $8 (shipped) fix.

Here is a great, in depth tech article on DSM PCV systems, both stock and modified. http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-engine-fuel/366890-4g63t-pcv-system.html

Hope this helps!

 

[1badpurple]

I dont have problems with mine blowing out at all. I use it just as a insurance to prevent a fire if it did some how come out.

 

[Lofty]

A bad engine will blow out a good dipstick.
A good engine will blow out a bad dipstick.

Simple as that children.
I know 10 second dsm's that have locking dipsticks.

Nbd.

 

[XiKeiyaZI]

Still good to check everything properly and not just assume.

 

[gs-tacky94]

I'm gomna sound stupid but what is pcv

 

[agarc023]

I'm gomna sound stupid but what is pcv

You resurrected the thread for that?

Read up...

 

[spadepro22]

I have the same problem under boost. I change the pcv valve and still the same. I do have a greddy catch can. Its hooked up: one hose from the side of the valve cover to the can and one hose from the can to atmosphere. Is this correct?

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

I have the same problem under boost. I change the pcv valve and still the same. I do have a greddy catch can. Its hooked up: one hose from the side of the valve cover to the can and one hose from the can to atmosphere. Is this correct?

Ideally you would want that second line hooked up to a vacuum source, like the intake pipe, rather then to the atmosphere. Also you can try one of these check valves on the PVC line (because the PCV valves are known to leak under boost, even new) Also if you dipstick pulls out with zero resistance, you may need a new one.

 

[spadepro22]

Ideally you would want that second line hooked up to a vacuum source, like the intake pipe, rather then to the atmosphere. Also you can try one of these check valves on the PVC line (because the PCV valves are known to leak under boost, even new) Also if you dipstick pulls out with zero resistance, you may need a new one.

Ive read people saying the piston rings could be bad. The motor supposly has about 30k on the rebuild(128k on body now) and runs strong in every gear, could the rings still be bad and the car still run like a champ? I just orderd 5 of those check valves for less than 8 bucks, how often do I change these?

 

[bryanwheat]

Ive read people saying the piston rings could be bad. The motor supposly has about 30k on the rebuild(128k on body now) and runs strong in every gear, could the rings still be bad and the car still runs like a champ?

It is possible. I think that you are dealing with a old dipstick. A bad dipstick will blow out of a perfectly good engine. I've seen it many times. There is always going to be a little bit of pressure in the crank case. Some people will have more, some will have less depending on what you are running. Get a new dip stick, crimp the top of the tube down a bit or get the spring and go that route. I don't see any reason to rebuild a perfectly good running engine just because it is blowing the dipstick out the tube. It it has good compression, good bearings and doesn't burn oil than it doesn't need to be rebuilt.

 

[92AWDHX40]

i saw a dipstick with a spring on it i think a stm to kee it from popping out.

 

[spadepro22]

i saw a dipstick with a spring on it i think a stm to kee it from popping out.

I dont want to rig it tho, Ill just try a oem first

It is possible. I think that you are dealing with a old dipstick. A bad dipstick will blow out of a perfectly good engine. I've seen it many times. There is always going to be a little bit of pressure in the crank case. Some people will have more, some will have less depending on what you are running. Get a new dip stick, crimp the top of the tube down a bit or get the spring and go that route. I don't see any reason to rebuild a perfectly good running engine just because it is blowing the dipstick out the tube. It it has good compression, good bearings and doesn't burn oil than it doesn't need to be rebuilt.

It does burn some oil, but doesnt smoke until im in boost(not bad tho). I hope it isnt the rings

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

Ive read people saying the piston rings could be bad. The motor supposly has about 30k on the rebuild(128k on body now) and runs strong in every gear, could the rings still be bad and the car still run like a champ? I just orderd 5 of those check valves for less than 8 bucks, how often do I change these?

There should be no need to replace the check valve, just install it and forget it.

If you are worried about the rings do a compression and leak-down test.

 

[arcuri21]

crimp it with pliers and forget about it

 

[bryanwheat]

Do not rig

I think crimping down the top of the tube a bit to keep the dipstick in is FAR better than spewing oil out and causing a fire huh?

 

[Boostdriven]

I have seen the same thing on my friends car on a 10k mile motor, he had two breathers welded to the top of his valve cover but in high boost that wasn't enough. So what I did I welded aother piece of tube in a Y like position towards the top of the dipstick tube and ran a hose from it to a catch can. Never had a dipstick problem again.