Oil pouring from dipstick when running??

[crazyfireman]

I was driving last night when I smelled the obvious oil burning somewhere. I pulled over and oil was pouring from my dipstick when it was running. I tried to push the dipstick down further but it was all the way down. It is not leaking from where the dipstick goes into the lock but where the dipstick goes into the tube. Any ideas on this??

[rocketman]

is the dipstick hitting the pan, do you run a breather? sounds like the motor is pushing the dipstick up to vent itself, and either the pcv system is clogged or its easy like the seal on the dipstick is no good.

[crazyfireman]

The dipstick is not hitting the pan, and I actually have a breather on both valve covers (no PCV) and the seal on the dipstick looks bad, hopefully that is it, Thanks!

[JEFFTATE]

Are the baffles in the valve covers working properly ?
Are they actually venting ?
Could they be clogged, Like in the vapor separator in valve cover , Not in the breather itself.

[crazyfireman]

They seem to be venting right, I really think it is the dipstick seal..

[HILROD]

If this is a standard left hand dipstick small block, there are 2 dipstick tubes, one lower that goes into the block first, and the upper that you can see. If the lower one isn't installed, what you describe can happen. Also the dipstick can hit the crank or rods.

[eville]

If this is a standard left hand dipstick small block, there are 2 dipstick tubes, one lower that goes into the block first, and the upper that you can see. If the lower one isn't installed, what you describe can happen. Also the dipstick can hit the crank or rods.

Sorry to hi-jack, but if the lower tube is missing, how do you install?

[HILROD]

Just pull the upper tube out, and push in the new tube from the top. Then re-install the upper tube. I can get the GM part number, I think I still have it.

[eville]

I have a new gm unit, but it seems tight. I seems to bind up on the flare...

[gordonquixote]

Could be you have a ring problem starting and cylinder combustion blow-by is creating pressure in the bottom end of the engine.

[HILROD]

Try putting the tube in upside down at a kind of big angle, while pushing down and straightning it up. Some times you just need to work them a bit. You also can take a little off of the outside of the flared end. They should fit tite, but I don't like just pounding them down as it will send metal into your motor.

[crazyfireman]

I sure hope it isnt a ring problem the motor migh have 1000 miles on it. How can i check that? I just bought a new dipstick and am gonna start there..

[molyorange 77]

Compression test!

[Cruiser]

I sure hope it isnt a ring problem the motor migh have 1000 miles on it. How can i check that? I just bought a new dipstick and am gonna start there..

A leak down test will tell you more about the ring condition and any seating problems. With it being a new engine I would look carefully at eveything and call your engine builder.

If the engine was built by someone and assembled by them the inner dipstick tube should be there, if it's not let them install it since they forgot it so as not to have warranty problems.

[crazyfireman]

Well an update come to find out my 1,000 mile motor probably had 100,000 miles! It is so hard to belive as this engine ran soooo strong but after tearing it down I had a cracked head, 2 lobes worn on the camshaft, bearings down to copper, cylinder walls were so smooth the rings couldnt seat at all. So I had the blocked checked, bored to a 408, 1 head replaced with new 3 angle valve job, new valves and springs on both, new SRP pistons, new Eagle I beam rods, new Comp cam 490/490, new timing chain, turned crank. The heads I was told are 882s?? So if this car ran that good before I am sure I will be amazed now! I also had him color mathc the block and I am picking it up on Wed I cant wait!!!!

[crazyfireman]

new parts make me happy!! Oh yeah went from 9.0-1 to 10.2-1 compression
<a href="http://s75.photobucket.com/albums/i295/crazyfireman/?action=view&current=67022.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i295/crazyfireman/67022.jpg" border="0" alt="SRP"></a>

[crazyfireman]

[crazyfireman]

[megaladon6]

i just want to double check, left hand dipstick=drivers side right? when i pulled mine apart (then stock-73 350ci)i don't remember it having a lower tube, but i'm having the same problem.

[HILROD]

Yep. The standard left hand dipstick has a lower tube. There are a bunch of right hand dipsticks, oilpan and block mounted, those have the lower part built in.