Volvo Diesels Leaking Oil out of Dipstick

[markatcrockers]

If Any of you who own a Boat with a Volvo Diesel are wondering why you have oil coming from the dipstick when the engine is under load, it is because of a known design issue with the original dipstick tube within the crankcase.
The tube fits into the crankcase and then a plastic extension fits over the neck of the tube culminating in the dipstick then sitting with its ‘O’ ring in the top.
What you can’t see is that the dipstick tube within the crankcase goes down into the oil and then bends at 90 degrees to sit under a baffle on the bottom of the crankcase.
If your engine is a little worn and the crankcase breather is blocked, pressure goes past the piston rings down into the crankcase, and hey presto you have a pressure vessel formed that the dipstick is sitting in. The oil is then forced out through the dipstick.
It should be noted that the replacement part from Volvo is now much shorter and does not have the crazy 90 degree turn and then sit at the bottom. It ends, after a short run in the crankcase allowing the dipstick to sit in the oil as before so that the correct oil level can be measured.

 

[Plum]

If Any of you who own a Boat with a Volvo Diesel are wondering why you have oil coming from the dipstick when the engine is under load, it is because of a known design issue with the original dipstick tube within the crankcase.
The tube fits into the crankcase and then a plastic extension fits over the neck of the tube culminating in the dipstick then sitting with its ‘O’ ring in the top.
What you can’t see is that the dipstick tube within the crankcase goes down into the oil and then bends at 90 degrees to sit under a baffle on the bottom of the crankcase.
If your engine is a little worn and the crankcase breather is blocked, pressure goes past the piston rings down into the crankcase, and hey presto you have a pressure vessel formed that the dipstick is sitting in. The oil is then forced out through the dipstick.
It should be noted that the replacement part from Volvo is now much shorter and does not have the crazy 90 degree turn and then sit at the bottom. It ends, after a short run in the crankcase allowing the dipstick to sit in the oil as before so that the correct oil level can be measured.

I only have a limited knowledge of Volvo Penta diesels but I do know they are not all the same when it comes to the dipstick and its tube. Which model/type are you referring to? My dipstick tube does go to the bottom of the sump but as long as the O-ring at the top of the dipstick is correct then I do not get any oil coming out of the dipstick under load.

 

[Fishtigua]

Depending on the model, it's a known fault. Volvo sell kits to fix this.

 

[markatcrockers]

I only have a limited knowledge of Volvo Penta diesels but I do know they are not all the same when it comes to the dipstick and its tube. Which model/type are you referring to? My dipstick tube does go to the bottom of the sump but as long as the O-ring at the top of the dipstick is correct then I do not get any oil coming out of the dipstick under load.

Hi Plum

Particularly any of the AD range. I have just had this issue with a TAMD41P-A.

Volvo truck engines (which the Pentas are based on) Now all have the shorter dip stick tube within the crankcase. Incidentally they all have cross drilled holes as well so that if more oil than is needed is put into the engine so that the tube sits in a pool of oil and the sum becomes pressurised it escapes through these holes before going up the dipstick tube and out of the top.

If your engine has a breather pipe going from the rocker cover to your air filter, there will be a gauze filter within the cover. These are easy to remove and clean with solvent like petrol and a brush, making sure you let the petrol evaporate before re-assembly. That helps your engine to breathe through the top end.

However, if you don’t have a problem with oil coming out of your dipstick (providing you have sufficient oil in your engine) happy boating, result!

 

[Portofino]

Hi Plum

Particularly any of the AD range. I have just had this issue with a TAMD41P-A.

Volvo truck engines (which the Pentas are based on) .

The smaller under 7 L are not based on trucks .Penta is a whole different line of manufacture for marine only .

Above 7 litres say a D9 or D12 or what ever do have cross over commonalty with trucks versions , a bit .

The tiny D3 and maybe D4 have car cross over which actually is a bad thing ….variable vane Turbos not fit for marine environment as they stick is left unused , in typical use age patterns of a boat as opposed to someones daily commuter car .

 

[Plum]

Hi Plum

Particularly any of the AD range. I have just had this issue with a TAMD41P-A.

Volvo truck engines (which the Pentas are based on) Now all have the shorter dip stick tube within the crankcase. Incidentally they all have cross drilled holes as well so that if more oil than is needed is put into the engine so that the tube sits in a pool of oil and the sum becomes pressurised it escapes through these holes before going up the dipstick tube and out of the top.

If your engine has a breather pipe going from the rocker cover to your air filter, there will be a gauze filter within the cover. These are easy to remove and clean with solvent like petrol and a brush, making sure you let the petrol evaporate before re-assembly. That helps your engine to breathe through the top end.

However, if you don’t have a problem with oil coming out of your dipstick (providing you have sufficient oil in your engine) happy boating, result!

I have the very same engine as you! Mine is 23 years old and the dipstick and tube are original with the tube going right to the bottom of the sump which is great for extracting the oil when changing it. I also have the breather pipe from the rocker cover to the air filter. Not sure why yours had a problem, mine is as good as gold. Never had to clean the gauze you referred to and no oil out of the dipstick provided the O-ring is good.

 

[Momac]

My kad32's have a crankcase breather filter which is replaceable.
No dipstick issues . The O rings on the dipsticks did perish but even then there was no oil escape

 

[David_cepi]

I have a 2030 and when I remove the dipstick I see droplets of oil coming out. I was concerned with possible excessive blowby but reading this post has given me some hope.