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Old 02-03-2014, 02:08   #1
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Steam from Dipstick

Hi all I seem to be getting quite a lot of steam from the dipstick at full throttle, is this normal or could it be a sign that I am getting some diesel in the oil?
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Old 02-03-2014, 02:59   #2
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Re: Steam from dipstick

More likely to be blow-by past the pistons. Does the engine have a crank case breather and is it blocked?

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Old 02-03-2014, 03:20   #3
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Re: Steam from dipstick

Steam ? I would check the oil for a chocolate milk coloration and an increase in volume . You could be getting coolant and water in the oil from a crack in the block or head. Blown head gaskets or a warped head can also result in this occurring.
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Old 02-03-2014, 04:16   #4
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Re: Steam from dipstick

If it really is steam then it is water of some kind getting into the oil. In addition to coolant it could be seawater that backs up into the exhaust turbo and into the crankcase in between outings.

Check the underside of the oil filler cap for brown milkshake sludge and/or oil level rise.

But it could be unburned diesel that blows by the rings. Somewhat normal depending on severity. Does the engine start easily from cold. If it doesn't that is a sure sign of excessive blowby due to worn rings.

You can do a "red neck" blowby test. Run the engine under load up to cruising rpm. Take off the oil fill cap and hold your hand over it. If it gets blown back due to heavy vent pulses that is excessive blowby.

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Old 02-03-2014, 11:09   #5
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Re: Steam from dipstick

Thanks. It does have a crankcase breather there also seems to be a lot of steam out of the breather.

It does not seem like there is any water in the oil. Will do all the checks and let you know.
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Old 02-03-2014, 11:18   #6
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Re: Steam from dipstick

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mugs View Post
It does not seem like there is any water in the oil. Will do all the checks and let you know.
The water will likely be emulsified and not a separate layer. That is why some suggested the oil might be brown.

It sounds like you have a small leak... but expect it to get much worse. This is terrible in the bearings, so this is not a "wait and see" problem.
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Old 02-03-2014, 12:20   #7
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Re: Steam from dipstick

if it is truly steam, is a head gasket issue. check for cafe au lait colored water and oil. check for mayonnaise onj block
if it is truly oil smoke, then you have blowby. check compression
what is engine temp when this occurs?? oil pressure???
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Old 02-03-2014, 12:24   #8
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Re: Steam from dipstick

What engine? The Universals have a "stopper" on the dipstick. If that's worn you could get something coming out. The answer to that is to buy a new dipstick or a new stopper for it.
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Old 02-03-2014, 12:27   #9
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Re: Steam from dipstick

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Originally Posted by Mugs View Post
Thanks. It does have a crankcase breather there also seems to be a lot of steam out of the breather.

It does not seem like there is any water in the oil. Will do all the checks and let you know.
If there is no water in the oil and no milky brown slime under the oil fill cap I'd say your rings are shot, or a broken piston etc.
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