Dipstick Popping Up - Why?

[jowett63]

The engine oil dipstick on my 92 SVX keeps popping out of the tube - rising as much as 4cm after a run. Oil isn't spurting out or anything, but it is exhaling vapours that leave a thin film of slick on the surrounding pies. At the moment I'm strapping the distick in place with tape, but am worried that it might betoken something worse like crankcase breather problems. Any ideas?
cheers

Bob - Scotland.

[Crazy_pilot]

PCV Valve. It's an annoying little **** to change. Here's the How-To:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/photos/files/How-To/14302.pdf

[billb]

I agree that it is probably the PCV valve. This is a very common problem on the Mitsubishi Eclipse that I have. There's a ton of information on the Eclipse problem. The causes are (at least for the Eclipse, in order of cheapest, easiest first):
1. The dipstick rubber seal is worn out. Get a new dipstick or slightly pinch the tube so that the dipstick is gripped tighter.
2. Replace the PCV valve.
3. Dead engine. I was never quite sure what "Dead engine" meant. I'm guessing that it is bad piston rings.

[jowett63]

Many thanks - I will order a new PCV valve tomorrow. What does PCV stand for by the way? Pressure control valve????

Bob

[cdvs]

positive crankcase ventilation

[NikFu S.]

My PCV valve is fairly new and my oil stick pops up from time to time still. The o ring is wore out and I have a replacement, but it's damn hard to get the old one off and I really haven't given it a college try, but it could be your problem. Might as well go with the PCV valve as well, though. They are cheap.

[SomethingElse]

the old o-ring can be cut off with a razor blade. installation is just as simple as sliding it up. replace the o-ring before you do any slight crimping, so far it has worked well for me.

[NikFu S.]

I tried everything on my swiss army but the thing would not be cut.

[SomethingElse]

get a straight edge or exacto type blade. its only crusty rubber.

[ensteele]

DON'T PINCH THE TUBE!!!! Just replace the O-Ring. I use an O-ring tool that is pointed on one end and they just break because they are so hard. If you push the dipstick down, and it just goes into the tube and not snap, the o-ring is shot. When you get the o-ring installed, it will snap into the tube and not come out anymore. This is one of the most common problems with the SVX. It is one of the cheapest and easyest fixes there is.

[HumpSVX]

Thanks for asking, I noticed the same problem yesterday. I'm glad I saw this before posting the same question myself.
I guess to add to the question though, could this cause oil to leak and end up on the exhaust manifold/front pipes and get burned off? I noticed some bad smelling smoke coming from the exhaust in that area. I know i have a leak in my exhaust, but I was worried that it might be oil burning in the engine.

[NikFu S.]

Oil is not going to splash out of your stick pipe.

[dannmarr]

I changed my PCV valve and I still have the same problem you have. I would change the O-ring first, the PCV valve is a pain to replace. If you decide to change the PCV valve, check my locker on the tool I made to remove the PCV valve. Hope it helps.

[awdbaby]

I also had the dipstick problem! Mine would pop out even if I taped it. It lasted for about 2 weeks and then it stopped popping out. Its been about six months now and it has not come out yet!

[Trevor]

Originally Posted by HumpSVX

Thanks for asking, I noticed the same problem yesterday. I'm glad I saw this before posting the same question myself.
I guess to add to the question though, could this cause oil to leak and end up on the exhaust manifold/front pipes and get burned off? I noticed some bad smelling smoke coming from the exhaust in that area. I know i have a leak in my exhaust, but I was worried that it might be oil burning in the engine.

In the event that the PCV valve is not opening and you have no crankcase ventilation, there will be pressure built up, which can/will cause any suspect gasket or whatever to leak, when it would otherwise be OK. May or may not apply in your case, but should be taken into account.