Blowing dipstick out
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 89
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From: Elk Grove CA
Blowing dipstick out
I put a new belt on the car. I am making 10 lbs. of boost. When I get on it the dipstick lifts up and oil blows out onto the headers and I leave a beautiful cloud of blue-grey smoke. I have been told that it is most likely cracked pistons any other theories would be appreciated. I have already ordered a short block with forged internals. Just would like to get input from anybody else with experience.
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Hilton Head Island SC
Re: Blowing dipstick out (BlownZ06)
definatly sounds like blow by, might also be piston rings. when you see the blue smoke is it coming out of the tail pipe or is that a result of it getting on the exhaust?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,931
Likes: 2
From: Tx
Re: Blowing dipstick out (ALDOAVME)
Some people have thought that the weak PCV system can cause the crankcase to be pressurized enough to do this, but I don't think that little vent tube could push enough air to cause the dipstick to blow oil out. You can try a one way check valve between the intake and the PCV to see if it helps, but I'm guessing you have air getting around your pistons somehow. The cracked piston diagnoses sounds right on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
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From: Clouds Over California
Re: Blowing dipstick out (QuickSilver2002)
Everytime I see this thread it is no longer a mystery to me. Sorry Don it is as I described on the phone to you...since I first heard it from C5 vert until I took my motor apart...you ring lans are broken and lots of air is pushing past your rings and pressurizing the crankcase so much that it is popping your dipstick out of the hole....pull off the air intake and check for oil...I hope that I am wrong..but I forsee a forged block for you...soon.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 741
Likes: 9
From: Rancho Cordova CA
Re: Blowing dipstick out (Shinobi'sZ)
This was the same issue I had a two months ago, it turned out to be a broken ring land on #7 piston. Sounds like short block time. I think we will begin to see more of this kind of failure as many of us are pushing the stock bottom end. My rebuild has been done since Monday, the problem has been I am on the East Coast this week and my car is on the West Coast. Second problem is I have to wait 500 long miles for break in before I get it to the dyno and some real numbers. Good luck and keep your chin up. :cheers: :cheers: :iagree:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,248
Likes: 0
Re: Blowing dipstick out (Shinobi'sZ)
Everytime I see this thread it is no longer a mystery to me. Sorry Don it is as I described on the phone to you...since I first heard it from C5 vert until I took my motor apart...you ring lans are broken and lots of air is pushing past your rings and pressurizing the crankcase so much that it is popping your dipstick out of the hole....pull off the air intake and check for oil...I hope that I am wrong..but I forsee a forged block for you...soon.
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 239
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From: henderson ky
Re: Blowing dipstick out (vetterdstr)
hold the phone,I had this happen on my car on the dyno,I blamed it on the rings not being seated,pushed it back in and forgot about it till last week,when I was going to town and decided to skin er back for about a3rd of a mile,got to town and pulled in arbys and saw smoke rolling from under the hood,{I thought the worst}dipstick was about 1in up and some oil on the header,went home and did a leakdown{NOT A COMPRESSION TEST}the rings were fine,{but my pistons are forged} even with the pvc mod,and haveing it ducted in front of the s/c it doesn"t pull that much vaccum,went with what worked on all the GN"s I"ve had,a valve cover breather! this stopped all dipstick problems,{in my case it did but I was very worried for a minute}am currently working on a vaccum pump setup that will eliminate this, and should help the rings seal better{depending on if it will pull enough vaccum} do a leakdown test,if it checks fine,get the breather,the belt works good eh! hope this helps,thanks steve :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,071
Likes: 297
From: Savannah GA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Blowing dipstick out (steve keen)
Damn I am hearing alot about these dipstick problems! Just as my other guesses you probably have cracked pistons or rings. As I said before, been there, done that...except my engine caught on fire!(not a c5) :eek:
[Modified by C5-VERT, 11:16 PM 3/27/2003]
[Modified by C5-VERT, 11:16 PM 3/27/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 0
From: Stealth So Cal GOCC ...comming to invade your neighborhood soon
Re: Blowing dipstick out (BlownZ06)
HELLO PEOPLE,
Did any of you out there read his sig???
634 hp with a D1 tuned on Jan '03 on a stock bottom end pushing 10 psi?
Is there still a question?....Pistons and rings for sure and depending on damage maybe even a block?
These bottom ends can't handle that much boost stock-I know that you were warned about this when it was being put together/tuned. It's not a question of IF but instead it's WHEN! Ask Shinobi, Blue Thunder, Vetterdster, Andy, etc...and soon to be OCMike.
Sorry for the reality check.
Did any of you out there read his sig???
634 hp with a D1 tuned on Jan '03 on a stock bottom end pushing 10 psi?
Is there still a question?....Pistons and rings for sure and depending on damage maybe even a block?
These bottom ends can't handle that much boost stock-I know that you were warned about this when it was being put together/tuned. It's not a question of IF but instead it's WHEN! Ask Shinobi, Blue Thunder, Vetterdster, Andy, etc...and soon to be OCMike.
Sorry for the reality check.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento area CA
Re: Blowing dipstick out (BlownZ06)
BlownZ06: I hope it all works out ok. When we took it out for a ride I was very surprized how much traction you got!!! Talk about crazy fast!!! Shoot me an email if you need a hand with anything.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 13,099
Likes: 672
From: Bristol, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Blowing dipstick out (YOULLUZ)
This is a common problem running more than 5 PSI boost. We have toasted two Z06 motors running 9 to 10 PSI. The stock cast pistons cannot take the equivalent of 17:1 compression ratio.
An investment in a forged bottom end is the answer to this. I have now seen or heard of at least 11 blown engines from turbocharging/supercharging, where the second and third ring lands crack, which leads to total engine failure.
I met with Warren Freiz and Fritz Kale of Katech about this problem last year, and the easy answer is 5 PSI boost max. Beyond that and you will lose your motor through piston fracturing.
We are building a 427 Z06 Twin Turbo motor utilizing Darton MID wet sleeves, with Diamond Pistons (-14cc), cc'd heads (74.5cc) by West Coast Heads, bringing the C/R to 9.44:1.
This motor will be built to endure our 22 PSI Z06 TTP.
Check with Morgan Motorsports, or other quality engine builders. They all have the solution you need.
Jim Hall
[Modified by Jim Hall, 4:55 PM 3/28/2003]
An investment in a forged bottom end is the answer to this. I have now seen or heard of at least 11 blown engines from turbocharging/supercharging, where the second and third ring lands crack, which leads to total engine failure.
I met with Warren Freiz and Fritz Kale of Katech about this problem last year, and the easy answer is 5 PSI boost max. Beyond that and you will lose your motor through piston fracturing.
We are building a 427 Z06 Twin Turbo motor utilizing Darton MID wet sleeves, with Diamond Pistons (-14cc), cc'd heads (74.5cc) by West Coast Heads, bringing the C/R to 9.44:1.
This motor will be built to endure our 22 PSI Z06 TTP.
Check with Morgan Motorsports, or other quality engine builders. They all have the solution you need.
Jim Hall
[Modified by Jim Hall, 4:55 PM 3/28/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 6
From: Thousand Oaks California
Re: Blowing dipstick out (BlownZ06)
On a low mileage well designed car like the C5, I doubt anything is wrong with the PCV system. There's an easy check for this if you pinch the line the oil filler cap should suck like a vacuum cleaner.
In all likelihood it's a bottom-end component failure surrounding the piston and/or rings. This however is not bad news altogether. When you rebuild it, the centrifugal S/C will really show its colors when you turn up the wick. Say hello to 800+ hp with the right blower!
[Modified by STAGED, 4:44 PM 3/28/2003]
In all likelihood it's a bottom-end component failure surrounding the piston and/or rings. This however is not bad news altogether. When you rebuild it, the centrifugal S/C will really show its colors when you turn up the wick. Say hello to 800+ hp with the right blower!
[Modified by STAGED, 4:44 PM 3/28/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,179
Likes: 1
From: Honolulu Hawaii
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Blowing dipstick out (xtream1)
Like I have clearly stated. I am on the A& A Corvettes Payroll-Deduction Savings Plan for my forged lower....
I make sure I don't get above 5-6 lbs of boost. Besides, you have to drive the friggin' thing to break it. I am so busy with work right now that I get to drive it a couple times a week at best.
:auto: :auto: :auto:
I make sure I don't get above 5-6 lbs of boost. Besides, you have to drive the friggin' thing to break it. I am so busy with work right now that I get to drive it a couple times a week at best.
:auto: :auto: :auto:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Re: Blowing dipstick out (Jim Hall)
Jim,
I used Ross's Compression Calculator and given a
4.125" Bore
4.00" Stroke
74.5 cc Head
Deck Height of .0001
Piston Dish of -14
Gasket .070
I get 9:43:1 CR
Are you using the cometic gaskets???
I used Ross's Compression Calculator and given a
4.125" Bore
4.00" Stroke
74.5 cc Head
Deck Height of .0001
Piston Dish of -14
Gasket .070
I get 9:43:1 CR
Are you using the cometic gaskets???
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Re: Blowing dipstick out (Steve'01)
This was the same issue I had a two months ago, it turned out to be a broken ring land on #7 piston. Sounds like short block time. I think we will begin to see more of this kind of failure as many of us are pushing the stock bottom end. My rebuild has been done since Monday, the problem has been I am on the East Coast this week and my car is on the West Coast. Second problem is I have to wait 500 long miles for break in before I get it to the dyno and some real numbers. Good luck and keep your chin up. :cheers: :cheers: :iagree:
Do you attribute this damage to the Vortech kit or previous nitrous?