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BF (4.0) Dipstick blow-out fix [message #302754] Tue, 28 June 2016 10:42 Go to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
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Our otherwise great Onan erupted into a cloud of smoke at the fireworks. I shut it down promptly.
The dipstick has gotten so loose in the tube that not only does it not seal, but the crankcase pressure will easily blow by it.
I wrapped it with teflon tape and put it back on-line as it was a hot night. This worked, but I know it won't last long.
The seal does not look replaceable. JimK might have new, but the shipping would have to exceed the part cost.

Does anybody have a plan to make the dipstick stay tight?

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: BF (4.0) Dipstick blow-out fix [message #302757 is a reply to message #302754] Tue, 28 June 2016 11:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
A Hamilto is currently offline  A Hamilto   United States
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Registered: April 2011
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Matt Colie wrote on Tue, 28 June 2016 10:42
Our otherwise great Onan erupted into a cloud of smoke at the fireworks. I shut it down promptly.
The dipstick has gotten so loose in the tube that not only does it not seal, but the crankcase pressure will easily blow by it.
I wrapped it with teflon tape and put it back on-line as it was a hot night. This worked, but I know it won't last long.
The seal does not look replaceable. JimK might have new, but the shipping would have to exceed the part cost.

Does anybody have a plan to make the dipstick stay tight?

Matt
Maybe someone with an Onan boneyard might have a used one (Jim Bounds maybe?)
Re: BF (4.0) Dipstick blow-out fix [message #302760 is a reply to message #302754] Tue, 28 June 2016 12:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
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Location: Woodstock, IL
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Sounds like this MAY be an approved use for JB Weld.

John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
Re: [GMCnet] BF (4.0) Dipstick blow-out fix [message #302863 is a reply to message #302754] Thu, 30 June 2016 05:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Tangerine is currently offline  Tangerine   United States
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Registered: February 2004
Location: Livonia, MI
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On 6/28/2016 11:42 AM, Matt Colie wrote:
> Our otherwise great Onan erupted into a cloud of smoke at the fireworks. I shut it down promptly.
> The dipstick has gotten so loose in the tube that not only does it not seal, but the crankcase pressure will easily blow by it.
> I wrapped it with teflon tape and put it back on-line as it was a hot night. This worked, but I know it won't last long.
> The seal does not look replaceable. JimK might have new, but the shipping would have to exceed the part cost.
>
> Does anybody have a plan to make the dipstick stay tight?
>
> Matt
>
I added some "O" rings to mine. It stayed in place and sealed the tube.

--
Gary W. Mills
Livonia, MI
. ___________
./_][__][] []| 1974 GMC M/H
.*O-------OO-* Painted Desert


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1974 GMC 260
Tangerine Dream
Livonia Michigan
Re: [GMCnet] BF (4.0) Dipstick blow-out fix [message #302877 is a reply to message #302863] Thu, 30 June 2016 11:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Bullitthead is currently offline  Bullitthead   United States
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Soak the rubber (not really rubber)seal on the dipstick in a small can of Walmart carb cleaner or lacquer thinner for a couple of hours to swell it up. It will be the right size when it is very difficult to put back in the tube without any lube. Then dry it off with air and douse it liberally with silicone spray (or better maybe soak it in brake fluid for a few hours) and re-insert it into the tube. Should be a tight fit that will last until the seal shrinks back in a year or so, depending on use of the Onan and whether there is alcohol in its fuel supply. Don't soak it too long in the cleaner/thinner or it will swell way too big and be too soft until you put it under a hot light to shrink it back down (BTDT) Smile .

Terry Kelpien ASE Master Technician 73 Glacier 260 Smithfield, Va.
Re: BF (4.0) Dipstick blow-out fix [message #302884 is a reply to message #302754] Thu, 30 June 2016 13:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Chris Tyler is currently offline  Chris Tyler   United States
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Registered: September 2013
Location: Odessa FL
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Another option: Clean the dipstick with carb cleaner on both sides. Coat the tube with vasoline, then put a small dab of RTV silicone on the stick. Once it sets up, remove and clean off the vasoline. Custom made seal.

I have also seen racers use a thumb screw type hose clamp to secure it


76 Glenbrook
Re: BF (4.0) Dipstick blow-out fix [message #302927 is a reply to message #302754] Fri, 01 July 2016 17:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Matt Colie is currently offline  Matt Colie   United States
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Location: S.E. Michigan
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Well Chit....

I finally got to looking at the other BF I have in the barn. (That is the one I borrow parts from to keep Chaumière's in top condition.) It has a different stick and oil fill than the one installed. It has a bayonet cap and the one the is blowing out is a push in with just a rubber grommet.

I don't know if I can get both out to swap.
If anybody knows, I would love to hear about it.

Matt


Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
Re: BF (4.0) Dipstick blow-out fix [message #302972 is a reply to message #302754] Sat, 02 July 2016 20:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
John Heslinga   Canada
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Registered: February 2011
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Matt:

Small engines such the Onan use a PCV System that tries to keep a slight vacuum in the crankcase. That lower pressure helps to keep oil from going up the oil rings. (Small engines will burn more oil and leak more oil out gaskets without the low pressure) The PCV system uses a disk valve and spring that exhausts crankcase pressure on the down stroke of the piston and closes on the upstroke of the piston creating the vacuum in the crank case. Your blowing out of the dipstick is a indicator to me that the crancase is pressurizing and the PCV system may be inoperative or ring blowby has become bad enough to overwelm the system. My suggestion is to remove the breather plate and check and service the valve. This may help your problem, but you also do not have a seal which is also necessary for the PCV system to work.

If the crankcase is not properly sealed. The PCV system begins to move a lot of air into the carb. The high volume of air will bring oil mist from the crancase to the carburetor which will burn increasing the oil consumprion of the engine.

That PCV sytem is sure a bigger part of the engine operation than most are aware of, HUH??

Here is an illustration of the PCV Valve.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/discussion-photos/p57964-onan-crankcase-vent-valve.html

I actually was a Briggs and Stratton/ Tecumseh, Clinton, Toro, and MTD dealer a long time ago)


John and Cathie Heslinga 1974 Canyonlands 260 455, Manny tranny and 1 ton, 3:70 LS, Red Seal Journeyman, DTE, BEd. MEd. Edmonton, Alberta
Re: BF (4.0) Dipstick blow-out fix [message #322360 is a reply to message #302754] Sat, 19 August 2017 15:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
cbryan   United States
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Registered: May 2012
Location: Ennis, Texas
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Peer,

Amazing amount, awesome amount, of help available here, isn't there? There's the short term, medium term fix and a picture of a long term fix already mentioned here. Short- wedge the dipstick. Medium, wrap with tape. Long -find out why the breather doesn't seem to be functioning.

Carey


Carey from Ennis, Texas 78 Royale, 500 Cadillac, Rance Baxter EFI.
Re: [GMCnet] BF (4.0) Dipstick blow-out fix [message #322362 is a reply to message #322360] Sat, 19 August 2017 16:05 Go to previous message
Olly Schmidt is currently offline  Olly Schmidt   United States
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Carey Bryan schrieb/wrote
> Amazing amount, awesome amount, of help available here, isn't there?

Absolutely amazing. Yes!

--
Best regards

Peer Oliver Schmidt
the internet company
PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA


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Best regards

Olly Schmidt
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'76a Eleganza II, VA
'73 Sequoia, SH, Germany
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