Leak at engine dipstick tube

[Mastiff]

I've got a minor engine oil leak and it appears it may be coming from the base of the disptick tube. The tube on this engine is press fit only and is not mounted/supported in any other way. Is it at all common to have a leak at that location? I grabbed on it and it feels plenty tight, but I guess that doesn't mean the seal is any good.

 

[76k5blazerr]

Pull it out and go buy a new one, I had the same problem on my blazer and bought one from pep boys for like 20 bucks that bolts to the exhaust manifold. No more leak, from there at least.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Like you said, there isn't a seal of any kind there. I siliconed mine in, assuming we're talking Gen I small block.

 

[Mastiff]

How hard should it be to pull out?

 

[dyeager535]

How hard should it be to pull out?

I guess if there is a bolt in one that works good, have at it, but my dipstick is loose in the block, and there is essentially no way to get it to stay in place. I wish mine fit tight! Pretty sure mine leaks a bit from that location, but it shouldn't be much...that is above the oil level.

I'd be 100% certain that is the issue before yanking it. Any sensors or anything on that side that might be leaking? Oil cooler lines?

 

[Mastiff]

Yeah, I'm not 100%, which is why I decided to ask. It is slimy around the tube, but not in front of it or above it. Headers are above anyway, so I don't think oil could come that way. I don't know if air flow could be strange and bring some oil up or forward to that location.

The leak is not continuous, but it's like 5 drops after every drive, which looks ugly after a while. I've been living with it, but if it's easy to fix...

 

[diesel4me]

Excess blowby or poor PCV valve action can cause leaks at places like that,and engine seals and gaskets too...instead of a vacuum being created in the crank case,pressure builds up...usually it'll show up as oil collecting in the air cleaner breather filter too,or the oil filler cap..

The factory dipsticks fit tight enough you need to use an open end wrench and a hammer to tap them into the block casting hole most of the time,and had a bolt & tab to attach it to the exhaust manifold..(which you lose,if you decide to use headers )
...you could use something like J-B Putty around the tube near the shoulder where it seats,after cleaning the area and tube good with carb or brake cleaner...