disappearing oil

Post by **grainger** » Sat Mar 08, 2003 12:23 pm

hi

i did about 250 miles yesterday (stoke and back, i went to see 'staffs minors' - but thats another story), i filled it up to the max mark before i set off but i didnt check the oil until i got back and it had gone below the min mark on the dipstick. thats getting on for a pint isnt it ?

i only changed it a few weeks ago and the oil has already gone quite black, i think its burning it, i cant see any on the floor when its parked. i thought since i put in this castrol 20/50 it had stopped burning the oil, its to do with blocked drain holes in the cylinders isnt it ? is there anything i could do ?

cheers
grainger

Post by **Cam** » Sat Mar 08, 2003 12:36 pm

If you are getting blue smoke from your exhaust when you put your foot down, then your piston rings are probably worn.

What is the mileage on the engine, and have you had a look under it for leaks?

If it is rings and the engine is high mileage, then a rebuild might be in order.

Post by **grainger** » Sat Mar 08, 2003 12:51 pm

im going to get under it later when the rain stops, i also had a bit of humming noise from the front wheel yesterday so i want to check its got grease in the hub. the car has got nearly 100k on it but i dont know how much this engine has done, ill check the smoke. cheers cam

grainger

Post by **Willie** » Sat Mar 08, 2003 3:21 pm

To check for oil leakage place a large piece of cardboard or old
lino etc under the engine compartment where the car is parked
and see how much oil is deposited on it. It will be a RARE Minor
that has no leakage at all. To check for burning oil try the old trick
of going down any longish hill in gear with your foot off of the
throttle. When you accelerate after reaching the bottom you will
see a cloud of blue smoke if you are burning oil

Post by **Cam** » Sat Mar 08, 2003 5:55 pm

To check for oil leakage place a large piece of cardboard or old
lino etc under the engine compartment where the car is parked
and see how much oil is deposited on it.

Yet another excellent tip from Willie!!

This method is particularly useful for diagnoising other leaks from gearbox, rear axle and brake components also. I have done this before with a cut open cardboard transport carton covering the whole underside of the car.

BUT be aware that engine oil can be blown backwards onto other components and may give the impression that they are leaking, but a quick sniff and feel usually allows differentiation between the different oils and fluids.

If the car has done 100k, it is quite possible that the engine has also done that. Any engine over about 80k can be prone to oil burning if it has been abused. having said that, the A-Series scores quite well on the non-oil burning stakes. The worst seem to be Fords, how many old blue smoking escorts have you seen?? I have even seen a Focus and a Mondeo (petrol versions) kicking out blue smoke!!

Your engine could have also done more miles than the car!! When I bought my '69 4-Door, and asked the previous owner why the numbers did noy tally, he said it was because he had swapped it with his traveller engine which he said was 'well travelled' (100k +). I was not too bothered as it was coming out anyway, but it's worth bearing in mind when buying from an 'enthusiast' with a few Moggies, as all the c r a p bits tend to end up in the car for sale!!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sun Mar 09, 2003 12:31 am

as all the c r a p bits tend to end up in the car for sale

and some end up on the car after you think you've bought it.. :-O
'oh hmmm yes, despite the fact that the car is unused and off the road I had to change the Dynamo - after the time you looked at it and payed a deposit, and oh yes, the replacement one does seems to squeal'...
(AKA My nice Minor or needed the dynamo off the Minor that I'd sold to you ?? )
LOL. gotta take a pragmatic view on life when buying cars - Even when dealing with Minor owners ;-)