Exhaust blowing oil

[libbyf21]

Hi, I have a 1962 traveller with a 1098 engine. I have noticed that my exhaust has started blowing oil, I only notice it when I leave the car idling and then it condenses on the ground, it is not enough to be visible on the car. On searching what "exhaust blowing oil" means it seems to suggest a blown head gasket, however the engine was completely rebuilt 1 yr ago. Although I have noticed "mayonnaise" in the oil filler cap, my garage assures me this is due to condensation and I have not noticed any other symptoms of a blown head gasket. I do have some oil leaks, and my gearbox is on its last legs, could either of these be the cause? Or is it not anything to be worried about? It doesn't seem to be affecting the performance of the car. The only other thing was my starter motor recently came undone from the car, and obviously the car then wouldn't start, I bolted it back on and its working fine, would this cause an oil leak sufficient enough to get in the exhaust? Thanks.

[Dean]

Are you sure it's oil and not a black coke condensation?

Mine splits out black water on the garage floor when it's cold.

[libbyf21]

Hi Dean, it certainly looks like oil and it smells like oil and it feels like oil but it might be something else.....?

[bmcecosse]

If it quacks like a duck.....and looks like a duck.....it's a duck....... With short runs and cold weather - it is likely to be just water condensation - dragging filth out of the exhaust as it goes..... Take the car for a good long/hard run in good weather to clear it out. Would be worth clearing the mayo from the rocker cover - take it off and wipe it all out - probably a good idea to change the oil and filter too..... all this after a good hard run of course, to make sure all the crap is dragged out with the hot/old oil.

[kennatt]

As bmc says it will probably be condensation,if oil was getting into the cylinders it would be seen as blue smoke from the exhaust.

[alexmcguffie]

Hi Libby,

I'm guessing you've been using it for short runs during the winter and parking outside over night? Mine used to do similar things when it was a hard used daily driver many years ago.

It should have nothing to do with your gearbox or starter motor so don't worry about those two bits

Alex

[philthehill]

For every gallon of petrol put into the car a gallon of water comes out of the exhaust.
You do not see it when the engine/exhaust is hot but it is very obvious when cold.
Many continental exhaust silencers/pipes have a drain hole in them to drain the water.
The majority of exhaust silencer rust works from the inside out and not from the outside in.
I agree it is more likely to be the crud coming from the exhaust that you are seeing. Also as above oil from the exhaust would be in the form of a blue mist.
As regards the mayonnaise I agree with the garage. You do not seem to be loosing water so I would suggest that all is well with the head gasket.
As I have mentioned before in other posts different oils create different levels of mayonnaise. I found that Duckhams 20/50 was notorious for making mayonnaise in the rocker cover; changed to Castrol GTX and the mayonnaise disappeared.
Your other problems are not related to the crud coming out of the exhaust.

[libbyf21]

Thank you everyone for your replies, I use my traveller every day to get to work and I do keep it parked outside overnight. I think it probably is just muck from the exhaust, thanks for putting my mind at ease. I just hadn't noticed it before

[bmcecosse]

I see you must be v close to JLH Minors - if in any doubt - take the car in and ask Jono to have a look at it for you! Tell him I sent you..... http://www.jlhmorrisminors.co.uk/

[alexmcguffie]

Not too far from me either down near Banbury