9 replies to this topic

[h_edgrrr]

It's an 84 city engine and it's using an awful lot of oil. There's no puddles where I park or anything so I don't think its leaking out but the level goes down very quickly. It used to smoke on start up but hasnt done that for quite some time now. Unfortunately I don't know anything about the engine so don't know if its always had this problem or not. I think its done about 35000 miles or not far off. My last engine had done 86000 miles and didnt use half the oil that this one does, although perhaps mileage isn't a factor? (I have no idea!)

Any suggestions as to what could be wrong? Please bare in mind I have limited knowledge and limited tools to use!

Thanks in advance!

Helen

[karl & his cooper]

It's an 84 city engine and it's using an awful lot of oil. There's no puddles where I park or anything so I don't think its leaking out but the level goes down very quickly. It used to smoke on start up but hasnt done that for quite some time now. Unfortunately I don't know anything about the engine so don't know if its always had this problem or not. I think its done about 35000 miles or not far off. My last engine had done 86000 miles and didnt use half the oil that this one does, although perhaps mileage isn't a factor? (I have no idea!)

Any suggestions as to what could be wrong? Please bare in mind I have limited knowledge and limited tools to use!

Thanks in advance!

Helen

Worn or damaged piston rings?

[h_edgrrr]

Worn or damaged piston rings?

Are there any other "symptoms" that would confirm that? Or is it just something you have to look at and see?

[T.Harper]

First rule out leaks - a lot occur when the engine is running rather than stationary. Check around the oil filter when the engine is idling, or have someone increase the revs whilst you check. I have an old ford escort that does this. Blue smoke from the exhaust is normally a sign that it is burning oil.

[ethana]

Worn or damaged piston rings?

Are there any other "symptoms" that would confirm that? Or is it just something you have to look at and see?

compression test will show up worn rings.. but more obvious will be blue smoke in the exhaust Also whilst the engine is ticking over the oil pressure is low. Under load this is a different story,it is possible that you losing the oil when your driving along...

[h_edgrrr]

There's no blue smoke, so I'll check around the oil filter when its running, when it's stopped chucking it down with rain that is!

Thanks for all the replies!

[h_edgrrr]

Didn't get round to checking the oil filter, car broke down instead lol. Was knocking and had no acceleration, managed to crawl to my folks house and dump it there, turns out head gasket had gone

Edited by h_edgrrr, 18 September 2008 - 09:32 PM.

[mike.]

Oh how fun. Easy enough to do I suppose, just a pain in having to get the head sent away for skimming.

While its off you might as well check your water and oilways for blockage. Oh and don't forget to re-torque the head even if it is sent to the garage, however most will probably quote you £500.

No need to get the head skimmed just because the gaskets gone unless the head is actually warped.

May as well replace valve stem seals, re cut the valve seats and de coke the head while you've got it off though.

[h_edgrrr]

Oh how fun. Easy enough to do I suppose, just a pain in having to get the head sent away for skimming.

While its off you might as well check your water and oilways for blockage. Oh and don't forget to re-torque the head even if it is sent to the garage, however most will probably quote you £500.

No need to get the head skimmed just because the gaskets gone unless the head is actually warped.

May as well replace valve stem seals, re cut the valve seats and de coke the head while you've got it off though.

Yeah the head hadn't warped so haven't got it skimmed. I did replace the valve stem seals, re-cut the valve seats and de coked the head though. Started her up and she seems ok at the moment. Gonna give her a proper test run tomorrow.

Thanks for all the help.

Edited by h_edgrrr, 20 September 2008 - 07:56 PM.