Catalina 34

General Activities => Main Message Board => Topic started by: pablosgirl on March 21, 2016, 12:10:08 PM

Title: M25xp leaking oil from top of dip stick
Post by: pablosgirl on March 21, 2016, 12:10:08 PM
Just changed the oil after 100 hours of motoring on our trip and noticed that oil is leaking past the dip stick at the top of the tube.  Watched it for a while and it is defiantly leaking.  So the question is the rubber plug of the dip stick suppose to prevent this and I need a new one that seals better or is my PVC mod for the crankcase vent causing too much back pressure?  I have the vent hose routed through an oil separator  then to the air intake assembly.  Just recently added the connection the the air filter assembly.  Engine runs smooth and starts easily in cold weather so I don't think I have too much blow by.  I don't have my compression test equipment with me. Was thinking of disconnecting the vent hose to see if this helps.
Paul
Title: Re: M25xp leaking oil from top of dip stick
Post by: Stu Jackson on March 21, 2016, 12:13:40 PM
You just need to get a new dipstick.
Title: Re: M25xp leaking oil from top of dip stick
Post by: Ken Juul on March 21, 2016, 12:29:25 PM
The vent tube should not be a problem unless it is plugged somehow.  I would check it for free air flow first.
Title: Re: M25xp leaking oil from top of dip stick
Post by: KWKloeber ‘84 C-30 #3573 on March 21, 2016, 12:38:00 PM
Quote from: pablosgirl on March 21, 2016, 12:10:08 PM
I have the vent hose routed through an oil separator  then to the air intake assembly.  Just recently added the connection the the air filter assembly.
Paul

There's no need to route the blowby thru an oil separator.
Pic of the air intake and vent hose - how do you have it connected?  That probably isn't the problem though since it's a new problem.

Check the foam filter under the valve cover, and make sure the vent hose/fittings aren't blocked.

Is the rubber plug loose?  Deteriorated? I think before I bought an overpriced Westerbeke dipstick I'd see if I could fashion a new plug if then ends being the problem.

Best to troubleshoot/isolate the cause before randomly replacing parts.

kk
Title: Re: M25xp leaking oil from top of dip stick
Post by: pablosgirl on March 24, 2016, 03:47:18 PM
Hi,
I was able to make a temporary repair using narrow strips of gorilla tape wound around the top of the existing rubber plug.  I placed the tape between the top cap and the first rib down in the rubber cap.  I wound the tape until it was thick enough to contact the iner wall of the dip stick tube tightly.  This has stopped the leak for now.  I will need to order one from Tractorsmart.  Anyone havethe part number?  I did not bring the parts listalong with me.
Paul
Title: Re: M25xp leaking oil from top of dip stick
Post by: KWKloeber ‘84 C-30 #3573 on March 24, 2016, 04:29:12 PM
Quote from: pablosgirl on March 24, 2016, 03:47:18 PM
Hi,
I was able to make a temporary repair using narrow strips of gorilla tape wound around the top of the existing rubber plug.  I placed the tape between the top cap and the first rib down in the rubber cap.  I wound the tape until it was thick enough to contact the iner wall of the dip stick tube tightly.  This has stopped the leak for now.  I will need to order one from Tractorsmart.  Anyone havethe part number?  I did not bring the parts listalong with me.
Paul

Paul,

The dipstick for the XPp is not the same as for the tractor engines.  The tractors had the DS on the port side and it was a longer ds (see the blind plug in the port-side ds location on the XP manual.)  http://shop.toadmarinesupply.com/marine_diesel_direct/Universal/

The p/n is on the dipstick (for my M25 it was 15377-36412 or -- should be the same superseder for the XP)  but is NLA from Kb.  That's why I said you might want to try to make a new rubber plug (from a rubber stopper maybe?)   

I also show a short DS p/n 15377-36410 (which may or may not be the same length as the other DS.) 

Or pay Westerbeke"s 3x price for an $8 DS.


Ken   
Title: Re: M25xp leaking oil from top of dip stick
Post by: Indian Falls on March 29, 2016, 07:42:56 PM
I'm with Ron and KK, get a new dipstick seal and take the element out of the oil separator.
If you can't blow through it easily it's no good.  As soon as an oil separator element gets wet it increases the resistance.  Hopefully its just centrifugal and not the fiber type, which if it is, take that element out is what I'd do.