Oil From Dipstick

Hello ive got a problem that there is oil spitting out of my dipstick tube, any ideas? Also i cant seem to set the mixture up at all and it idles erratically,i have a gas machine thing but just cant set it up, would it be the gasket or will i need a repair kit for the carb? oh yeah its a mk1 1.1 formula E with a solex carb.

thanks rich

The smaller engined Golfs have a breather at the back of the block (semi circular bulb affair with rubber pipe going back up to air filter box). These get blocked with grunge and force oil out everywhere. Swapping is a pain as the exhaust pre-heat pipe is in the way and its virtually impossible to fit a new one without hammering it flat. The only method I found that works is to get a suitable piece of pipe that fits all way around with a notch cut out and tap it in squarely.

Or? your engines worn out.
 8O

i'd go for the latter one myself as you can breath easily down the breather and plenty of vapour is coming out of the breather pipe. I was just hoping its not a new engine jobbie as cash is extremely tight at the moment.

It is DEFINATELY the breather pod on the back of the engine.

Replace it and all will be well.

What's the point in asking a question if you are just going to ignore/argue with the answer?

The early breather pods are of push fit interference design and you are guarenteed skinned knuckles!!

I haven't got the exhause pre heat pipe on my HK lump, i take it that'll make my lfe a great deal easier ?!

Definately!  I have my head remove at the moment - which makes things a piece of cake

i wasnt ignoring/ arguing the advice. its just i was told i you can breath easlily down the pipe then the pod should be ok.no need to get all arsey bout it mate.

i wasnt ignoring/ arguing the advice. its just i was told i you can breath easlily down the pipe then the pod should be ok.no need to get all a***y bout it mate.

Fine - in that case go to all the money, trouble and expense of rebuilding your engine.  Leave your existing breather pod in place 'coz it's apparently working.  Put it all back together and when oil comes pouring out the dipstick hole - cry.

We are only trying to do you a favour.  I personally know these engines inside out and currently have one in pieces all over my kitchen.

The first time I saw one of these rebuilt was at the age of seven when my dad did our 1100 Mk1 Golf.  I've done loads of them, have a 1.3 running on Twin 40's, have just bought a 1.3 on bike carbs that I helped to build and can do everything on one refering only to the manual for tolerence information.

I was trying to help save you lots of time, money and anguish - if you know better - FINE - best of luck - do what you like…

Also - please refraid from using profanity - this is a "family friendly" website and words like a*** aren't really welcome in posts.

It can be possible to blow down an "open" breather, and still have oil coming out of the dipstick, because your lungs have less than 5% of the breathing power of an engine (even a small one like a 1.1/1.3) - the breather could be 90% blocked and your puny* lungs would not be able to feel any back-pressure, so blowing through it is not a valid test.

*I'm sure your lungs are as good as the next guy's  but for example, a 1000cc engine idling at 1000rpm can take in 250 litres of air a minute (over 4 litres a second)…

Very good point!!

you see that was the kind of reply that i wanted. thanks for the help guys but i think ive found out what the problem is……… piston rings. one of my cylinders is dead. does that make sense or have i just been told wrong again?

cheers Rich

If there is no compression on one cylinder, due to dead piston rings, then a lot of pressure is getting into the crankcase (enough to overcome even a new, clean breather), so oil blowing out of the dipstick would be a likely symptom.

The way to be sure that it's not a blocked breather is to get a compression test done by a garage, or anyone who has a compression tester gauge and knows how to use it…

If compression is gone from one cylinder, the remove the head and check the bore - if OK, it's worth rebuilding, but if it's damaged/very worn, then a better engine from a Golf or Polo would be a cheaper option….

looks like my weekend booked up now hehe. thanks for the help mate very useful .

rich

you see that was the kind of reply that i wanted. thanks for the help guys but i think ive found out what the problem is……… piston rings. one of my cylinders is dead. does that make sense or have i just been told wrong again?

Who told you this?  The onyl way to KNOW would be after having a compression test carried out - if that's what's been done - sound, sorted, get it stripped but if it's just another opinion - get a compression test done before you do anything else.