Dipstick not fitted after first service = now oil all over new engine

[bluejam]

I took my HSV Gen-F for it's first service a few months ago - and have not checked the engine bay or the oil since.
I drove into the city on Friday and noticed smoke billowing out of the engine bay - I opened the bonnet and found the dipstick had not been fitted correctly - rather it was loosely hanging out of the fitting by several centimetres.

There is now burnt oil all over the otherwise near new engine bay which I'm not particular happy about.

Given the last time the dipstick was touched was during the last service at Hunter Holden Ryde - and I doubt that they easily come of their holders other wise - I can only surmise it was not placed back correctly during the last service.
See the pictures - what do you reckon - would it have done any damage to the engine bay?

At the very least I think it needs to be checked and cleaned asap for free?. If they messed up a simple dipstick fitting - does make me wonder if they are the right people to service this type of engine in the future.

[sjhugh]

Accidents happen.
Just ask them to clean it all down, top and underside.
Job done.
I always check the basics after a service, even if it's just to be sure there is no damage.

[HSV Listy]

Very unlikely but some turbo and supercharged cars the crank pressure pops dipsticks so maybe something could be blocked on the pcv system.
Unlikely but worth checking

[Smashfist]

So it was a few months since your oil was last checked. I don't get it, buys a $100k car and doesn't bother to check the oil in it. If you checked it regularly like you should then it wouldn't have gotten that bad.

More to the point, if it was like that for a few months how did you not SMELL the burning oil?

Doubt it has been like that for a few months though or it would have burned through a heap more oil than that.

[XUV]

Very unlikely but some turbo and supercharged cars the crank pressure pops dipsticks so maybe something could be blocked on the pcv system.
Unlikely but worth checking

unless he cooked the motor thus boiling the oil ............ So Bluejam did you check the oil level?

[bluejam]

Interesting question Smashfish. So I had my service in mid April so firstly no I don't pop the hood every few days/weeks just to look at an engine or check the oil after the service - it's only done 3000 km (I should eh!) :-)

(another member just said he still checks the basics afterward a service and I think this is great advice - be it a spare spanner, missing caps etc)

No smell though since the service granted - it happen this Friday so yes if it was left open for 1-2 months surely I would have noticed - not sure to be honest. The day it was burning - I had done more 'spirited driving' when I drove into the city (nothing too excessive mind just revving it a little in manual shift mode (auto). When I got to the carpark smoke was poring out. I thought - did the hard driving 'pop' the dipstick - maybe?? To be fair - I doubt HSV would build a (in your words) $100k car with a super charger and 'not' check the dipstick pops and poors oil all over the engine if the person happens to put his foot down!

So - not sure - I would say it was left open and over a few weeks it moved further out - when I put my foot down oil spewed out- I checked the seating of the dipstick - when it's in it's pretty tight. It's Occam's razor i.e. what's more likely - I booted it and the dipstick wasn't designed to handle this engine ... OR ... the service guy didn't seat it in the holder during the service...? You decide.

So it was a few months since your oil was last checked. I don't get it, buys a $100k car and doesn't bother to check the oil in it. If you checked it regularly like you should then it wouldn't have gotten that bad.

More to the point, if it was like that for a few months how did you not SMELL the burning oil?

Doubt it has been like that for a few months though or it would have burned through a heap more oil than that.

[bluejam]

It happened on a 5-10km journey into the city so I doubt damage was done - if i'd continued for a long journey then maybe as you wouldn't notice the smoke until the system started too notice low oil - the HSV has multiple gauges and the ECI system would have lite up light a Christmas tree should the oil be low or too hot - it was ok at that point. I now need to re-start and drive back to Ryde so yes could technically do more damage or burn the oil in more - I really think it was accidentally not put in right - so I guess they have to fix this - I've sent them the pics and an email re above. Won't move it until they get back to me. :-(

unless he cooked the motor thus boiling the oil ............ So Bluejam did you check the oil level?

[Radikl]

Im betting under boost it has popped the dipstick.

Seems like a lot of oil splash for dipstick to be out.

I had same issues with my charged ls1, i know its a different motor. Maybe with the service, they knock out one of the breathers etc.

[whitels1ss]

Im betting under boost it has popped the dipstick.

Seems like a lot of oil splash for dipstick to be out.

Yes, have seen the same before

[cashie]

That's not a good situation for you.
I always pop my bonnet after a service to check everything is as it should be, I've found oil levels out (high and low), rags shoved in the engine bay and radiator fans disconnected to name a few.
Sadly, you now can't be sure what's occurred, was it not put back in fully after the service or has the boost pressurised the crankcase and popped it out...

Get the dealer to give it a once over and clean up the engine bay, them I strongly suggest you monitor under the bonnet at least weekly for a while.
My VF has 5000km on it and I've checked under the bonnet about a dozen times, checking for any oil usage, leaks etc. each to his own.

[smash69]

Have you checked the oil level since?
How much came out? Looks like bugger all from the pics.
I'd just clean it up and drive it.

[bush_basha]

I would say it's pressurised and popped out, the stick leads too the sump and I highly doubt oil would splash up out of it unless it's forced out

[Smashfist]

I really think it was accidentally not put in right - so I guess they have to fix this -

Don't go getting too upset at them. I've had apprentices leave oil caps off and dipsticks out, etc. I guarantee you would have experienced issues prior to 3 months later.

[vyls1wa]

I could be wrong but I can't imagine oil being pushed up that high in a dipstick without there being an issue, like what was said about the crank case being pressurised.

[MRNICK]

I would put it down to two things.

1) Whoever serviced the car, hasn't given the dipstick the last little push needed to seat the O-Ring on the dipstick properly with the stalk it slides into.
2) The level of 'spirited driving & the crankcase pressure (given it's boosted, thus slightly higher PCV Pressures) has caused the unseated O-ring to slide up a touch.

When I service these cars, I normally use a little bit of lubricant on the O-Ring around the dipstick to help them seat properly as they can lose their compliance with the heat and sitting in the one spot between services.

I'd take it back to the dealer, they'll clean the mess up & give you a reduction in price of the next service as a courtesy.