Is this volvo md11c diesel normal?

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doca

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The previous owner put a screwed in bolt instead of a dip stick the in the oil hole. This bolt is removed and the dip stick used when checking the oil level, after which the bolt is then screwed in again. So, I checked the oil before moving off and all seemed well, dip stick back in the toolbox the engine was started and away we went. It was rather calm so the engine was used a lot and it was as reliable as usual.
We eventually arrived back at the pontoon and the tidy up began before leaving for home. To my horror, I found the oil hole bolt lying forgotten under some papers on the navigation table and I assumed the worst, expecting to see the engine compartment coated in oil spouted all over from the open dip stick hole. I was delighted to find the engine compartment as clean as usual, inspite of the hole being open. Is this normal, or is there something wrong with the engine? I am not mechanically inclined but I did think that engines are subject to all sorts of compressive forces striving to blow the thing apart.
 
My understanding was that the dipstick seal formed part of the oil pressure system - so I'm surprised that you didn't get a low oil pressure warning / alarm.

I guess I'm less surprised that oil wasn't spurted out of it - its a deep hole - and no pressure could have built up.

Not that I really understand these things either - just got one that I look at suspiciously from time to time ....
 
I don't think you have a problem here altho suggest you check with a mechanic. Based on my experience of engines, crank case is not pressurized, fuel all goes straight in from injectors/carbs and out through the exhaust rather than via the crankcase where the oil sits. You might expect some oil spitting out from spinning cranks, but thats all.
 
dont actually know your engine but generally your really only checking the reservoir of oil in the sump the oil pump will pump from the sump to feed the various components, although you will get a fair bit of splashing about of oil from the crankshaft

cheers
 
The dip stick screws into the top of the coarse strainer in the oil pump pick up. It is important that the dipstick is properly tightened down onto its "O" ring seal and that the strainer assembly is also properly tightened onto its sealing washer. Both seal and washer must be renewed if not in good condition.

If these conditions are not met then oil will not be picked up by the oil pump properly. You should have noticed that the low oil pressure warning light was on (It does come on when you first switch on doesn't it?) and you are lucky you have not wrecked all the bearings.

I can see no logic in not keeping the dipstick in its hole. Ours stays in there. The bolt in there at present does have a seal under its head I hope!

We always top up and refil with oil by removing the stainer and putting it in there with the aid of a funnel as it is more accessible than the proper filler at the back of the engine. (No jokes about blondes trying to top up the oil via the dipstick hole please)

BtW you know the oil level is checked with the dipstick not srewed down don't you.
 
In fact the MD11 sucks oil up the filter - rather than pushes. This means that if you don't have a good seal around both the fitler and the dipstick then the circulation of the oil can be seriously impaired.

I'm quite surprised that you managed to get any pressure at all that way - are you sure your oil pressure light is working
 
[ QUOTE ]
In fact the MD11 sucks oil up the filter..............................................- are you sure your oil pressure light is working

[/ QUOTE ] I think I said all that last night!
However thanks for confirming what I said
 
Yes, the oil pressure light works and I hope the engine will run as sweet as ever this week end! I will let you know if the episode has had an adverse effect on the old horse.
 
Those that mention there is suction in the oil system are quite correct. It is worth noting, as I found with mine, that the vaacum created in the dip stick housing can hold oil up at an artificial level thus giving a false oil level reading. When checking the oil level, take out the stick (or plug in your case) and let everything settle for 10mins before checking the level. When I discovered this phenomina there was nothing on the dip stick atall on the second dip!!
 
I could be wrong but I think you have a very lucky escape. On the Volvo M2B which was the predecessor of your engine, the dipstick had to be sealed otherwise the oil pump (which is high up in the engine) would have problems being able to lift the oil with the result of low oil pressure and wrecked bearings. I had this problem when my engine failed to prime after an overhaul and the engine seized. If you did not get an alarm for low oil pressure, I would check all of the items such as oil pressure switch etc. Better still fit and oil pressure gauge and best of all, go back to the way in which the engine was designed with a dipstick which sealed onto the engine.

John
 
[ QUOTE ]
I had this problem when my engine failed to prime after an overhaul and the engine seized.

[/ QUOTE ] There is something in the back of my mind that says some of thes old Volvo engines actually had provision to prime the oil pump. A plug that could be removed and oil injected I think. I'm pretty sure that does not apply to the MD11 series so presumably by then either the oil pump was relocated or a wier was introduced so that some oil was always trapped in the pump.

Personally i think an audible low oil pressure alarm would be better than a guage. After all a guage is only ever any use if someone actually looks at it which is also the problem with warning lights. In a car they are placed right slap bang in front of you but in boats, especially sailing boats, that tends to be the excepton rather than the rule. Nothing could be simpler than fitting an electronic "buzzer" in parallel with the existing warning light
 
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