Community Forums

pub1898 · 05-12-2014, 03:09 PM

I have an ISL 400 Cummins with a dipstick that will not stay in place no matter how diligently I screw the expansion top in place. Anyone one out there with a similar problem and maybe a fix. Is it because there is pressure buildup in the crankcase? Travel Supreme 2003 Spartan Chassis

Phobos · 05-12-2014, 05:04 PM

I'm going to take a wild guess here and say that you have a restricted or stopped up crankcase vent. So yes, it's probably pressure buildup.
Now, where it may be on your engine I haven't a clue, but that's about the only thing I can think of the would cause what you are describing.

Ray,IN · 05-12-2014, 06:04 PM

Go to the Cummins forum and search for your question. Another member of irv2.com, AFChap, had the same problem about 6 months ago. I forget what he did to correct the dipstick problem.
UPDATE: Here is AFChap's thread: http://www.irv2.com/forums/f25/oil-d...ut-199128.html

AFChap · 05-13-2014, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Go to the Cummins forum and search for your question. Another member of irv2.com, AFChap, had the same problem about 6 months ago. I forget what he did to correct the dipstick problem.
UPDATE: Here is AFChap's thread: http://www.irv2.com/forums/f25/oil-d...ut-199128.html

I do not yet have a solution ...haven't had a chance to chase a new rubber donut and/or dipstick. I don't tighten it down much at all (or it WILL pop out), and I watch it very diligently

Twomed · 05-13-2014, 10:47 AM

Tie wrap around the alternator bracket. A lot easier than cleaning up blown out oil. Yes the dipstick is calibrated, yes the vent is clear. Two speed jake on this engine will spit the stick when operating downhill in the Rockies...frequently.

If flat land try cleaning out the metal hole with electronic parts cleaner on a rag, and the rubber donut. That will cure most ISL spit outs.

pub1898 · 05-13-2014, 12:23 PM

Never thought the Jake would be the culprit but it makes sense . I'll phone Cummins they may have a suggestion. I don't like Jerry rigging anything . I also don't like the mess. If I find a fix I will be sure to post. Thank you for all the input.

AFChap · 05-13-2014, 12:35 PM

Primary problem is deterioration of the rubber donut. Replacrment dipstick from Spartan for my ISC is $40.

Burgy · 05-13-2014, 03:44 PM

I went to NAPA, ordered a short dip stick. With the same size rubber then swapped out the old one.
Once I changed the end I whacked the threads so it would not back all the off

palehorse89 · 05-13-2014, 03:56 PM

I am going to say the dip stick rubber is not the problem, you should not have that much crankcase pressure that it wants to blow your dipstick out. I believe the ISL does not have a "slobber tube" , the crank case vent is internal and is a layered screen or mesh, it might just be plugged off.........I just remember reading on this subject before......another fellow had the same problem. It will be interesting to see what Cummins has to say????

Ray,IN · 05-14-2014, 09:38 PM

I wonder if at some point the dipstick was over-tightened and bell'd the metal housing? Kinda hard to make something stay in a tapered hole.

Maladjusted · 05-15-2014, 08:53 AM

He said "Dip Stick won't stay in"

yes... I am 12.

Mal

AFChap · 05-15-2014, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

I wonder if at some point the dipstick was over-tightened and bell'd the metal housing? Kinda hard to make something stay in a tapered hole.

Don't know it that could be possible or not, but I HAVE considered scoring the inside of the housing somehow to give the rubber something to bite into. In the early years it was poften very hard to get the dipstick to come out as the rubber was too sticky. Now that it is softer and slippery it pops right back out if you try to tighten it much at all.