Oil dip stick pops up...why?
 

New owner of 92 SVX. We have noticed that when ever we drive the car...even a short distance on the hiway when we come home and look under the hood the oil dipstick has "popped up" and is not snug against the filler tube. thinking we had too much crankcase pressure I removed the oil fill cap while engine running but there was no puffs of air coming out. Engine runs good what gives???? BTW valve covers esp Pass side leak. ordering gaskets for them today.

Scott
Omaha

it's just an o-ring

pull your dipstick out.. on the yellow plastic should be a black o-ring or a notch where an o-ring should be.. i have to replace mine too.. not sure what size it takes, but i'm sure it'd be easy enough to find. when the dipstick pops up, it's an indication that the existing o-ring has become unfit to perform its task and needs to be replaced..

or an indication that there are little gnomes in your crankcase who like to f*ck with your head :D

-adam

Too funny! thanks for the fast reply. being in the car business I should have paid attention to what you talking about. Never have seen one go bad before, so I plain just didn't look:(

again thanks for the reply, this board is GREAT!

you're welcome scott

they put me on the 6-10am airshift this morning, so i'm making the most of my time :D

-adam

Scott,

I recently fixed mine with a new O ring, as Adam says. Snug tight fit, has not moved since.

However, the weeping seals at the camshaft cover probably indicate that crankcase pressure is higher than normal. Changing the PCV valve, which is awkward to get to, has fixed this for some people. Mine weeps as well, I have yet to do this job.

If you run a search, you will find posts detailing the job. I think a crows foot spanner is useful, and some people have bent the head of a ring spanner for ease of access.

Joe:)

Regarding the dipstick it has also been determined that it simply means the car is happy to see you.


Randy ii

I changed both the PCV valve and the dipstick o-ring when this happened to me.

The dipstick O ring part number 806908080 The size is 8.8 X 1.9.

The PVC part number is 11821AA370 and is $ 6.06

Link to the part -

http://www.subaruparts.com/diag/?mod...category=082-A


Good luck :)

Whadya mean PVC part number??? Is one o' them there four cars plastic??:D

Thanks Earl, that's handy to have.

Joe:)

I wondered about that plastic pipe coming out from under the hood.! All the letters, but out of order - if that is all I get wrong, I've got it made! :D :p At least I didn't call anyone a dipstick! :eek: ;)

That's OK Earl.

A lot of fall restraint experts on these boards. You need never fear a fall from grace here, we pick you up before you hit the floor!

I was thinking of including a picture in my locker with all the four wheels backways [for good brake cooling in reverse]

Then wait and see how many tell me I've got it wrong:) :D

Joe:)

Thanks - I guess I can relax now. :)

Hmm, mine too. It never really bugged me that much, since it'll usually stick if I jam it in hard enough and twist it a bit, but perhaps I'll get a new ring too.

I'm starting to think there are more Scott's than Larry's around here now a days.