Dipstick coming out

strawb_shortcake

This may be a stupid question but in 20 years of driving it's not something I've come across. 
I have a ford C-Max 66 plate, 1.5 Tdci with 21k miles on the clock. Went to check the oil yesterday and the dip stick was loose, engine bay a right mess (it had been 1 week since last checking the oil) 
I assumed that I hadn't put the dipstick in fully and it was my fault, cleaned it up oil level was sufficient to drive with. 
We then did a 100 mile round trip, I went out to check the oil levels today with the intention of topping up if need be. But again the dipstick was not in place and another mess to clean up. 
Now, I accept that I could have not put it in a second time properly, but could it be something else? 
I've had no lights come on, it's not running high temp, fuel consumption is consistent and no funny noises coming from the car.
I have 5 weeks warranty left on the car, I will call the garage but need to know what I'm dealing with first. 
Also, if it is something wrong with the car how far would I need to drive before it pops out again? As I have done a few longer journeys in the last week? 

Thank you 

photome

Are you sure the dipstick is in correctly as they are a very tight fit on the 1.5 tdci.  I know from experience and an oily engine bay

DoaM

Are you finding a restriction when pushing it back in? (i.e. it's hard to get it in). Have you tried rotating the dipstick 180° or similar? (Sometimes a dipstick has to negotiate a bend in pipework and so will naturally fit one way ... trying it another way may make it want to move out, especially when the oil pressure rises and the engine is vibrating).

strawb_shortcake

Its definitely a tight fit, but I don't recall it being hard or awkward to push in. My husband replaced it just now but I can't recall any resistance yesterday

Goudy

Excessive crankcase pressure can cause the dipstick to pop out.
As the pistons rise and fall, the pressure under them increases and decreases and it needs to vent and equalise.
Diesels tend to create a bit more pressure under the pistons than a petrol.

There are lots of causes for this but I would first check the crankcase breather/ PCV system isn't blocked.

foxy-stoat

Take the dipstick out and run the engine with a piece of kitchen paper over the hole, if there is pressure in the sump then you may have a bigger issue or a smaller issue like the PCV may need cleaning/changing.

photome

annabanana82 said:

Its definitely a tight fit, but I don't recall it being hard or awkward to push in. My husband replaced it just now but I can't recall any resistance yesterday

Mine is hard to push completely home. If you didn’t feel any resistance I suspect it wasn’t fully home.. as I said I have a focus with the exact same engine

strawb_shortcake

Thank you all Where would I find the PCV? 

daveyjp

Does the Ford use the sump for unused diesel during DPF regens?  If so the sump could be overfull causing excess pressure.

Replace and run the engine and see if it gets pushed out again.

strawb_shortcake

I've just been to check fitting the dipstick again and there is a definite push to get it in so it could possibly be me not putting it in properly. 
I think I might be best visiting my Dad as I'm not that familiar with some of the terminology. 
He also live next to a ford garage if it is something other than me being an idiot.

photome

annabanana82 said:

I've just been to check fitting the dipstick again and there is a definite push to get it in so it could possibly be me not putting it in properly. 
I think I might be best visiting my Dad as I'm not that familiar with some of the terminology. 
He also live next to a ford garage if it is something other than me being an idiot.

I honestly think that is the most likely scenario.