16 replies to this topic

[blackbelt1990]

Ever since I ran my 1380 in, it has had blue smoke on startup. I'm worried that perhaps I have run in it incorrectly and it needs re-ringing. There's no blue smoke under normal driving but there can be under heavy acceleration.

 

The head was reconditioned and had had new valves when I got it, but it was from MiniSport which makes me think it's got a problem.

 

Anyway, is there any way to test which could be the issue? I'd rather not pay for new valve seals to then find the engine needs to come out!

 

Cheers.

[Carlos W]

Valve stem oil seals are not expensive, valve guides need to be fitted properly.

 

A leak down test would show whether the rings are failing

[Cooperman]

Start it up and get it warm.

Increase the tickover to around 1200 rpm.

Take off the oil filler cap. If it is 'chuffing' smoke from the filler cap hole it is a bore sealing issue. If it is not 'chuffing', then it is probably just a valve guide/valve stem seal issue.

Of course, this is a somewhat simplistic test and if it is 'chuffing', a proper 'leak-down' test is advised.

I had a 1380 to sort out which was burning oil from new and it turned out that the re-bore was around 0.002" to 0.004" oversize. As it was already at 1380 it required a new block, as to sleeve with special sleeves, then bore again was not economic.

It is unlikely to be ring damage, although it could be that the rings did not bed in fully and that the bores are now a bit glazed. That would not be a big problem, just a bit of work.

I hope this helps and that it's all OK really.

[dklawson]

+1 for a leak down test.

 

Now for a sidebar question.  British slang sometimes eludes me.  

I have seen the word "chuffed" as in "I am chuffed" and from context have assumed that to be chuffed is to be well pleased and perhaps a bit surprised that you are pleased.  I would have thought "chuffing" as used by Cooperman would have similar origins but obviously "chuffing" in this context would be more of akin to "puffling".  Do "chuffed" and "chuffing" stem from the same root with a general meaning of "puffed out" so "chuffed" would mean proudly well pleased?  Can you clear up the two words for me so I will get their meanings correct?

[Carlos W]

Doug,

 

Another English word with more than one meaning!

 

But, I don't think the words have the same root.

[Alex_B]

+1 for a leak down test.

 

Now for a sidebar question.  British slang sometimes eludes me.  

I have seen the word "chuffed" as in "I am chuffed" and from context have assumed that to be chuffed is to be well pleased and perhaps a bit surprised that you are pleased.  I would have thought "chuffing" as used by Cooperman would have similar origins but obviously "chuffing" in this context would be more of akin to "puffling".  Do "chuffed" and "chuffing" stem from the same root with a general meaning of "puffed out" so "chuffed" would mean proudly well pleased?  Can you clear up the two words for me so I will get their meanings correct?

In this instance chuffing would be akin to puffing and I am picturing a steam train pulling away chuff chuff type of thing 


However with chuffing being slang it can mean many things, I tend to use it as a replacement for 'very' i.e. "its chuffing cold out here" (common over here in blighty  ) and you're correct on being 'chuffed'

Edited by Alex_B, 10 May 2014 - 09:43 PM.

[Carlos W]

 

+1 for a leak down test.

 

Now for a sidebar question.  British slang sometimes eludes me.  

I have seen the word "chuffed" as in "I am chuffed" and from context have assumed that to be chuffed is to be well pleased and perhaps a bit surprised that you are pleased.  I would have thought "chuffing" as used by Cooperman would have similar origins but obviously "chuffing" in this context would be more of akin to "puffling".  Do "chuffed" and "chuffing" stem from the same root with a general meaning of "puffed out" so "chuffed" would mean proudly well pleased?  Can you clear up the two words for me so I will get their meanings correct?

In this instance chuffing would be akin to puffing and I am picturing a steam train pulling away chuff chuff type of thing 


However with chuffing being slang it can mean many things, I tend to use it as a replacement for 'very' i.e. "its chuffing cold out here" (common over here in blighty  ) and you're correct on being 'chuffed'

 

I use chuffing as a replacement for a 4 letter swear word beginning with F with ing on the end 

[blackbelt1990]

Thanks for the quick replies guys! I'll give it a good run on Monday and have a look!

[blackbelt1990]

No smoke coming out of the rocker cover. I did a compression test and got 150-120-125-150 sooooooo, I'm going to pick up a new headgasket tomorrow and start stripping the head down!

[KernowCooper]

Steam engines chuff on the expel of steam on the power stroke, pretty much the same as a mini engine chuffing its blow by gasses out the rocker cover cap

[AVV IT]

When my valve stem seals needed doing, I used to get a puff of blue smoke on start up that soon cleared. When my rings needed doing though, it was clear on startup, but smoked heavily on deceleration instead. I have to admit that I'm not sure of the technical/scientific explanation behind either situation though.

[dklawson]

Thanks for the etymology of chuffed and chuffing.  I find it interesting that we sort of speak the same language but sometimes... not!

[Captain Mainwaring]

Thanks for the etymology of chuffed and chuffing.  I find it interesting that we sort of speak the same language but sometimes... not!

 

 

Did anyone mention "chuff box" ?

[dklawson]

Um... no.  I am almost afraid to ask about that one!

[phil hill]

I've often heard it expressed as "two nations separated by a common language" Doug !!

 

I guess the differences started when the settlers left England and headed for the new world 400 years ago, and the two languages developed under separate influences thereafter. 

 

Phil.