re started after 36year

Post by **overider** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:08 pm

Hi, I have just bought a traveller in good condition that has been stood for 36 year. The car only ran for about 3 year and With 41000 gen miles. I put some oil down the bores and turned the engine a little bit at a time. It turned easily with on resistance at all. I have striped the carburettor right down and freed everything off and cleaned it thoroughly then put the battery on and flicked the ignition.. After a day or two, I put new plugs in and a new coil. In addition, new fuel pump. I then tried to start it. When it started they were a big plume of smoke for a while until the oil I squirted down the bores burnt off. I then stopped the engine and let it cool down before starting it again. This time it ran ok with no smoke until the engine got warm and some white smoke came from the exhaust. I let the engine cool again and tried again. I repeated this a couple of times but as soon as the engine gets warm the smoke returns. Does anyone have any ideas why? I have done a compression test and got 150-160 psi on all cylinders.

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Post by **mike.perry** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:51 pm

50 to 60 psi is very low. The workshop manual says 150 psi for a 1098 engine. This is obviously for an engine in perfect condition. It could be worn bores or rings or valves not seating fully. As long as the smoke is not too dense and you can see the car following you!!!, if it passes an MOT give it a run and keep an eye on the oil consumption. It may settle down after a while. Otherwise take the head off and have a look at the bores.

Post by **overider** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:58 pm

Sorry the psi was 150 -160 my fault.. edited now

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:13 pm

Sounds fine - good compressions (now the figures have been corrected). The smoke - will still be residual oil burning up in the exhaust pipe - don't worry about it! Give it time.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:24 pm

how did you flush the fuel tank? The old petrol may have left a fair bit of residue - sometimes turning to varnish and in very severe cases it plugs up the pickup pipe strainer!!
If it left a gluey residue it may have been dissolved into the fresh fuel - this will then run 'strangely'

Other than that, blue/black smoke is oil. Grey/white smoke is over-rich carb. White/grey damp clouds is water vapiour!

Post by **overider** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:09 pm

Hi ray,
I have not touched the fuel tank yet, I have set it up so the fuel pump is pulling directly from a fuel can. I still have to check the tank and fuel lines yet. I just wanted to know if the engine was ok.

Post by **moggydriver62** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:20 pm

White smoke when hot could be water.does it feel damp
at the tailpipe.when running .does it stop after it gets to
normal operateing temp?

Post by **overider** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:24 pm

Some photos
sorry i have now deleted my photos

Post by **overider** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:29 pm

No it’s the opposite its fine when I first start the engine and the white smoke comes when the engine heats up. I’m thinking on the lines of the head gasket failing.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:56 pm

Only if it uses water. I think it's just old oil/muck burning up as the exhaust gets hot - let it run for a while !

Post by **overider** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 11:11 pm

Hi bmc, I am a little hesitant to let it run for too long at the moment as I do not know the condition of the cooling system at the moment, and they is no temp gauge. I will have a go at flushing it all through at the weekend then I will let it run for a while with a thermometer in the radiator.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 11:23 pm

Just let it run at a fast tick-over - you will soon see if it boils!

Post by **DAVIDMCCULLOUGH** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 11:53 pm

I would think it will clear within a few miles. When I rebuilt the lowlight engine we put oil down the bores for start up and it took about 8 miles for the white smoke to clear.

Post by **Dean** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:19 am

Mine hadn't been started for 20 years, I had plumes of smoke to begin with after I first got it going. To be honest, I changed everything just like you would for a service and ran it. I would keep an eye on the water and oil levels. I would let it tick over and rev it until the temp built up, I kept revving it occasionally. I poured neat redex down the air filter. The smoke did clear eventually (it took several months), but even after running it yesterday my dad commented on "where's the smoke gone". I think it's just a case of old crud and residues like Ray says, which take a while to clear.

Post by **Mick_Anik** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:10 pm

Maybe it would be a good idea to strip it, if you have the time and inclination. For the cost of the seals and gaskets, you would end up knowing what you've got.
Having said that, I started up one of mine after a six-year stand, and that cleaned itself up as outlined in other posts here. (Later edit): But it had done a lot more than 40,000 for sure....in my book, that mileage on an engine puts it into the 'new' category, hence my 'strip it' suggestion, to protect your investment.
Congratulations on a nice find!