D.dutton9512

Hey guys, tonight on the ride home I did some "spirited driving" and smelt a little oil burning. When I got home I popped the hood to see the dipstick about 1/2 inch out of the tube and a little bit of oil splattered around it.

I checked the PVC and it seems to be working although there is some resistance, however I don't have a new stock one to compare it to. It also seemed pretty dry with no oil dripping out or anything. I also noticed I havent lost any vacuum and it seems to stay steady. I then left the car running and popped open the oil cap but didn't notice any air coming out.

I then popped the dipstick back in and replicated, as best as I could, the drive home. When I got back the dipstick was in place and no new oil had come out.

I also checked my oil earlier today and I suppose it's very possible that I didn't insert the dipstick back in completely.

Does the crankcase normally create enough pressure to push oil out the tube if the dipstick is not inserted properly? I've read a few threads that recommend a catch can as the stock PCV doesn't vent well enough but wouldn't this mean that the crankcase is still pushing too much pressure?

Thanks for any input you guys can offer.

WonTon

iTrader: (17)

that could be a sign that your boosting into your crankcase which is not good. hopfully you just forgot to put the dipstick back in all the way...

D.dutton9512

Thanks Sean

Well I wouldn't imagine that the dipstick itself would be enough to keep the oil down if there's enough pressure to push it up the tube.

If I am boosting the crankcase I'm really hoping it's from the PVC allowing flow in the wrong direction and not a ring or damaged piston.

WonTon

iTrader: (17)

did you do a compression check on your motor before we installed the S/C?

D.dutton9512

No, wish I had though.

WonTon

iTrader: (17)

well its not to late to do it.....did you change your PCV valve to the one that is for boost yet?

D.dutton9512

No, not yet. I might try to run up to a shop tomorrow and get a compression test if I can find the time.

WonTon

iTrader: (17)

take car of that PCV valve too. you can order the part from FM.

Doppelgänger

iTrader: (12)

When I was getting severe blow-by on my 99 when the rings were toast, it would push the dipstick up like that. I was dumb enough to keep doofing around and managed to push it up, and dump a ton of oil on the exhaust resulting in a moderate underhood fire.

fooger03

iTrader: (2)

install breather tank.

take winn-dixie grocery bag full of money to the VIP section.

D.dutton9512

Well, I'm feeling a lot better about this stuff today. I just went outside and pulled my PCV. Then I wrapped my lips around the damn thing and blew it like a man (sorry there's no way to describe it without it sounding bad).

It felt like I was blowing through a straw when blowing the wrong way (manifold to cam cover). I would assume that under 7lbs of boost, with the dipstick already not all the way in, it wouldn't take much to send the oil out.

I'm not as worried about excessive blow by as with the car running there is no sign of smoke or excessive amounts of air coming from the PCV hole or the oil fill hole. Not to mention I still idle at a pretty high vacuum (around -20psi). I still want to get the compression checked but they only guy I know with the equipment is on vacation until the end of next week.

So I'm picking up a new stock PCV until I either order a 323 one or build a catch can.

flounder

You can pick up a compression tester from any parts store for a little as $20,
and testing only takes about 20 mins.

D.dutton9512

I might have to just try that then. I don't like not knowing.

BTW, does anyone know how I can kill the fuel system while I do the test? I'm running an MSPNP but I assume there's an easier way I'm not thinking of.

flounder

Not sure on the 97, but on my 99 the fuel pump fuse is under the hood.

Pulling all 4 plugs and flooring it while cranking yields the most accurate results. After my rebuild I saw 200+psi on all four. I think the min acceptable is around 125 but not sure? Also helps to have a low amp battery charger hooked up, like 2amps max and crank until psi doesn't increase anymore(usually 4-6 rotations)

Edit: I'm not sure what, if any, effect having a supercharger installed will make on the results, anyone care to chime in?

fooger03

iTrader: (2)

fuel pump relay is under the dash in most NAs - right between the drivers legs tucked up close to the plastic trim under the steering wheel. (Basically about as close as you can get to your ******* while still being hidden) I found it the first time by going down on it, now I can get it off by feel. It should be a yellow plug IIRC. It's about 3/4 inch thick and 1-3/4" wide

D.dutton9512

I'm thinking I'll just disconnect the intercooler pipe to ensure there's no restriction from the blower in the pipe.

Thanks, hopefully I can actually get some free time to do this in the next day or two.

steelrat

I did a compression test a few weeks back. No impact from the blower on the test.... Just pulled all 4 plugs....

All because of a silly coil pack....

Dave,

Doppelgänger

iTrader: (12)

Drew-
Pull plugs, disconnect "INJ" relay
turn engine over for fun
start testing cylinders with gauge

win

D.dutton9512

The compression test results are in:

200
190
190
195

So I'm guessing my pcv diagnosis is correct. Unless you guys have a better idea

chpmnsws6

iTrader: (12)

Another vote for PCV. Toward the end of my DSM years, my 4G would pop the dipstick constantly before I finally pinched the dipstick tube some to keep more pressure on it. It was also sucking in 20+ PSI with the old school super 20G. PSI is like added compression as the engine wears!

Your compression numbers look great. Anything for the leakdown test?