Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi,
My moggie (which I now know has a 1300 Ital engine in) is burning rather a lot of oil. I've replaced the head gasket, and while the head was off checked and reground all the valves. They all appeared to be in good nick too.
The compression was between 160 and 170 on all cylinders except number 2, which was more like 130-135.
The cylinder bores all appeared to be in good nick too, though I didn't take the pistons out to check the entire thing.
Any thoughts as to what to check next?
Cheers,
B

Often it is oil coming via worn valve guides and/or leaking stem seals.
The other cause would be oil geting past the rings so if the bores looked ok with no big wear ridge at the top and the compresion test is ok then the most likely cause is the vlave guides.

I replaced the rubber seals for the rod ends of the valves, is that what you mean? Surely if they were worn new seals would solve the problem at least for a while? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

When you did the compression test did you try puting a small squirt of oil into the bores (especially no 2) and recheck the readings if they go up its the rings if it makes no difference its the head. When you checked the valves did you check the valve guides as Ray suggested for excessive movement.

craptiger wrote:I replaced the rubber seals for the rod ends of the valves, is that what you mean? Surely if they were worn new seals would solve the problem at least for a while? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

You replaced the valve stem oil seals, not the valve guides.

It could either be rings or valves. Have a go at what Kevin suggests with regard to the oil and re-checking the compression.

I would be tempted to change the head over with another spare one and test again, then if the readings are the same it's probably the rings on number 2, if the readings for number 2 go up (assuming a good head) then it was probably valves/guides.

Hello CT,
if the problem is a piston one, there is often the evidence of blow by with a lot of fumes coming out of the crankcase breather. Try taking off the oil filler cap with the engine running to see.

Alec

And engine oil that darkens in colour faster or more than usual.

not had a chance to look at this cos it was late and very dark when I got home last night. I shall have a look tonight. Thanks for all your help, I'll let you know the results.