Rebuilt 1275 engine, losing oil

[bmcecosse]

No answer to that question earlier - or to question re glazebusting/honing of bores.......

[katy]

What weight of oil are you running?

[MarkyB]

I have the feeling that someone who forgot to tighten up the sump bolt may have overlooked some other fixings too

[horologiumwatches]

To loose pressure like that it must be spewing oil out. Suspect the pressure relief valve or oil pump. Try changing the oil and filter, it's possible that some crud from the refresh has clogged the filter.

[akuchanny]

The Bores were honed, oil 20/50, new oil pump, and crank within tolerance. The only part I overlooked was the oil pressure relief valve on the rebuild, due to having a tight time frame to get the engine built. The engine was bought out of a car so did not hear or see it running, or know its milage, which is why it was striped and everything renewed. The only part not renewed the pressure relief valve down to oversight on my part. Will get the valve swaped over for the cooper 1275 spring and ball bearing system this weekend, just waiting for a hand injury to heal. Sump bolt was tight before I entrusted the car to a specialist, no idea how it was loose, but the washer had been mangled, so has now been sorted with no firther leaks. Oil has been swapped but not the filter yet, as I'm waiting for a new one to arrive. Will fully flush the oil system once I've run it in for 500 miles. The prompting for the rebuild was the complete failure of the 1098 unit in the car.

[bmcecosse]

I advise against the ball bearing - and certainly NOT with the stronger Cooper S spring, for a road car. If using a ball - you need a softer spring - not harder! it doesn't need a new relief valve - it just needs it taking out and checking the bore in case a piece of swarf is sitting across the seat, or wedging against the side of the relief valve. But frankly it's grasping at straws and unlikely to be the problem.

[les]

It would be terrible if not including the relief valve inspection in the rebuild has caused any damage. Your tight time frame would only have been set back by 10 minutes! Rushing the build may not have been your best idea. However lets hope you get to the bottom of it.

[bmcecosse]

2 minutes......

[akuchanny]

Not sure if I should be irritated by the responses so far, or thankful. I had thought as members of the same club we a here to support each other in a common interest, not point our perceived flaws and hindsight responses for things considered as mistakes by others. Especialy as none of us can offer a true definitive solution to each others problems. Although i more than admit that some of the information has been of help, all be it, in a sometimes condescending manor.

Back to the point in hand, have swapped over to the the ball bearing with the original spring, thanks to the input from here, as I wanted to make sure that I did not push the pressure to the next extreme. It seemed to be running well, with a start pressure of 40/60. The downside was during the rest run on the a406 in London someone rear ended the car at a junction leaving me with little data or info on what has changed / been cured. As now I have to chase insurance companies and fill in police reports, due to injuries and the other party leaving the scene without exchanging details. Irritatingly as the engine has only been in about a week, I was going to contact the insurance company on monday to inform them of the new modification. So this will no doubt cause a new headache.

Hopefully I will get to check the car out today and if it is safe to drive will test the oil pressure system again.

[bmcecosse]

Oh dear - sorry to hear of the rear-ending!! Hopefully you escaped injury?? The general advice given about your engine was all given in good faith....I found your attitude towards the responses somewhat 'condescending'' - ie it's been 'reconditioned' when clearly it has not etc. and suggestions that loose sump bolt would give low oil pressure etc - your responses also seemed 'guarded', as though there could not possibly be anything wrong. Anyway - good luck with it. I shall not bother to follow the thread, or reply again.

[les]

It might have been me that irritated him by suggesting rushing things was not the best approach when rebuilding an engine. Perhaps I'll get my coat as well!

[horologiumwatches]

How are you getting on with your oil leak/pressure issue? Any closer to solving it?

[akuchanny]

No ability to test it yet, as I'm still waiting for the insurance repairs to go ahead, I did on the day of the accident replace the valve with the ball bearing and the orginal spring, hoping that it would fix the problem, as apart from what now seems to be aiming chain cover seal it's not losing much oil, still have no idea how the sump plug had worked loose, as I had tourqued it up to the manual specs. I think that combined with the oil splatter from the case, and then low pressure on the gauge and the warning light made it look like a massive leak. I just hope I'm right and it isn't! But will only be able to tell when I get the car back. Will keep you posted when do.