My dipstick is blowing out-Please help !!!

BigJhon · Mar 4, 2011

Hi, My name is Jhon & I'm a new member at TBN. I am a 37 yr. old T-4,5 paraplegic wheelchair user & I own a Ford 1100-diesel that my Grandma bought new back in the early '80s. It has been (and still is) a great tractor & has given me NO trouble until a recent issue I had with it. My issue is this & I was hoping that someone might be able to help me with it: Recently, after I changed the oil in the tractor and shut it down to double check the oil level when I pulled the dip stick out, it blew oil in my face (my buddy that was there got a good kick out of that). I didn't think a whole lot about it b/c it seemed to be fine afterwards - pressure seemed alright. The next time that I pulled the tractor out, it only ran for about 3 or 4 min.s & it then blew the dip stick across the yard. I was thinking that maybe there is a PCV valve somewhere that needed to be replaced or maybe some sort of vent tube was blocked. I checked with my local tractor retailer & was told that there is no PCV valve & that maybe it was time for a ring-job?.?. The tractor does not have many hours on it (less than 600) & it has been pretty well maintained do you have any suggestions as to what my problem might be?

moe7404 · Mar 4, 2011

your thinking right. first check the pcv valve. and other crankcase openings. check oil pan gasket, valve cover gaskets ect. ring blow by, holes in piston tops. turbo charger gaskets.

Soundguy · Mar 4, 2011

check to see if with dipstick out it is getting excessive crankcase pressure then post back.

is it missing or running rough? if no, then I don't suspect stuck valve or holed piston.

if rings were real bad it would be a hard starter.

post back

soundguy

Argosy · Mar 4, 2011

Oil level ok?

There will be a crank case vent. Look on top of the valve cover for a hose running down the engine. Make sure it isn't kinked or crushed, check the open end for pressure. If you don't have any it's probably plugged.

irvingj · Mar 4, 2011

It could be a PCV valve or other clogged venting apparatus, but a classic diesel issue is crankcase pressure (a lot!) caused by bad rings-- the "blowby" mentioned earlier.

Eliminate the easy stuff first, then try to determine if you're losing compression into the crankcase through worn or broken rings. Has it ever sat idle for an extended time at some point before using it again?

RickB · Mar 4, 2011

Gotta laugh at all the 'experts' advising to check the PCV. As if it actually has one. Check the crankcase vent tube for blockage or kinks. If that is clear, get ready for piston ring replacement or more significant overhaul.

Soundguy · Mar 4, 2011

i'm guessing the 2 guys mentioning pcv aren't old ford guys..

Wayne County Hose · Mar 4, 2011

Put streamers on the dipstick. 2 functions. You can find it when it flies across the yard, and kids will think its pretty and chase it.

slowzuki · Mar 4, 2011

Crank case vent may be plugged by mud daubers, should point at the ground on one side of the engine. They normally puff a little. Puff a lot and slobber oil out when they get old. No PCV valve on them.

pat32rf · Mar 5, 2011

Don't know what the weather is like wherever you are but my BIL's Massey dealer said that his vent tube was plugged with frost, causing a frost plug in his crankcase to blow out of his new-to-him tractor...and blowing oil out the resulting hole