Where did all that smoke come from

M

Matt

Guest

• Jul 27, 2004

• #1

Until about 2 weeks ago the only thing my Series II had never done
wrong was burn or use engine oil, I have not had to top it up for 5
years (no honestly). However, now it belches huge clouds of smoke out
all the time (it doesn't matter what the engine's doing - hot, cold,
slow, slower).

So the million dollar question is: what's the most likely cause to the
sudden oil burning?

Any ideas welcome as I'd rather not shell out for a full engine recon

 

L

Larry

Guest

• Jul 27, 2004

• #2

I assume on my series 3 that it is worn piston rings or valve seals, a
generally tired engine that has worked hard.


--
Larry
Series 3 rust and holes

"Matt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Until about 2 weeks ago the only thing my Series II had never done
> wrong was burn or use engine oil, I have not had to top it up for 5
> years (no honestly). However, now it belches huge clouds of smoke out
> all the time (it doesn't matter what the engine's doing - hot, cold,
> slow, slower).
>
> So the million dollar question is: what's the most likely cause to the
> sudden oil burning?
>
> Any ideas welcome as I'd rather not shell out for a full engine recon

 

E

EMB

Guest

• Jul 27, 2004

• #3

Matt wrote:

> Until about 2 weeks ago the only thing my Series II had never done
> wrong was burn or use engine oil, I have not had to top it up for 5
> years (no honestly). However, now it belches huge clouds of smoke out
> all the time (it doesn't matter what the engine's doing - hot, cold,
> slow, slower).
>
> So the million dollar question is: what's the most likely cause to the
> sudden oil burning?
>
> Any ideas welcome as I'd rather not shell out for a full engine recon

What sort of engine?

--
EMB
change two to number to reply

 

P

PDannyD

Guest

• Jul 27, 2004

• #4

"Matt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]
> Until about 2 weeks ago the only thing my Series II had never done
> wrong was burn or use engine oil, I have not had to top it up for 5
> years (no honestly). However, now it belches huge clouds of smoke out
> all the time (it doesn't matter what the engine's doing - hot, cold,
> slow, slower).
>
> So the million dollar question is: what's the most likely cause to the
> sudden oil burning?
>
> Any ideas welcome as I'd rather not shell out for a full engine recon

Contaminated fuel?
Too much oil in the sump?
Blocked air filter or inlet?
Dropped too much Redex into the tank?

If it's not something as simple as contaminated fuel or too much oil then
it'll have to come apart to see what's wrong.

--
FZS600 - Silver/Black
GS125 - Black/Rust
Ford 100E Prefect - Black, naturally
Whisky - Aberlour Cask Strength

 

J

JD

Guest

• Jul 27, 2004

• #5

Matt wrote:

> Until about 2 weeks ago the only thing my Series II had never done
> wrong was burn or use engine oil, I have not had to top it up for 5
> years (no honestly). However, now it belches huge clouds of smoke out
> all the time (it doesn't matter what the engine's doing - hot, cold,
> slow, slower).
>
> So the million dollar question is: what's the most likely cause to the
> sudden oil burning?
>
> Any ideas welcome as I'd rather not shell out for a full engine recon

If this happened suddenly, as you indicate, and assuming it is a 2.25 petrol
engine, possibilities I can see are :-
1. Broken piston ring or hole in piston
2. Split diaphragm in PCV valve (if fitted)
3. One or more valve stem seals failed.

the first one is an engine strip job, the second is about five minutes to
check and another five to fix for a few dollars, the third is several hours
and a few tens of dollars.

JD

 

E

EMB

Guest

• Jul 27, 2004

• #6

JD wrote:


>
>
> If this happened suddenly, as you indicate, and assuming it is a 2.25 petrol
> engine, possibilities I can see are :-
> 1. Broken piston ring or hole in piston

Possible, but if it still runs on all 4 cylinders (or compression tests
ok) it's unlikely.

> 2. Split diaphragm in PCV valve (if fitted)

Maybe but shouldn't smoke this badly.

> 3. One or more valve stem seals failed.

Valve stem seals won't cause continual major smoke (even if they've all
failed).

If it's a petrol, has anyone accidentally topped it up with diesel. The
other possibility is a broken diaphragm in the brake booster and it
sucking brake fluid into the inlet manifold which would make it smoke
like a steam train.

If it's a diesel I'd be lloking at either the pump timing having moved
or a duff tankful of fuel.)



--
EMB
change two to number to reply

 

L

Larry

Guest

• Jul 27, 2004

• #7

What is a PCV valve, did they have those in 1973 ?
--
Larry
Series 3 rust and holes

"JD" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Matt wrote:
>
> If this happened suddenly, as you indicate, and assuming it is a 2.25
petrol
> engine, possibilities I can see are :-
> 1. Broken piston ring or hole in piston
> 2. Split diaphragm in PCV valve (if fitted)
> 3. One or more valve stem seals failed.
>
> the first one is an engine strip job, the second is about five minutes to
> check and another five to fix for a few dollars, the third is several
hours
> and a few tens of dollars.
>
> JD

 

A

Austin Shackles

Guest

• Jul 28, 2004

• #8

On or around 27 Jul 2004 10:36:35 -0700, [email protected] (Matt)
enlightened us thusly:

>Until about 2 weeks ago the only thing my Series II had never done
>wrong was burn or use engine oil, I have not had to top it up for 5
>years (no honestly). However, now it belches huge clouds of smoke out
>all the time (it doesn't matter what the engine's doing - hot, cold,
>slow, slower).
>
>So the million dollar question is: what's the most likely cause to the
>sudden oil burning?
>
>Any ideas welcome as I'd rather not shell out for a full engine recon

what fuel?

and what colour smoke?

if it's white smoke, you've an incipient head gasket failure, probably.

white smoke = water
blue smoke = oil
black or grey smoke = over-fuelling

for petrol or diesel, in fact.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
"Would to God that we might spend a single day really well!"
Thomas À Kempis (1380 - 1471) Imitation of Christ, I.xxiii.

 

D

David G. Bell

Guest

• Jul 27, 2004

• #9

On Tuesday, in article <[email protected]>
dan1970.nomeatproductsplease@nocannedmeat.scenicplace.freeserve.co.uk
"PDannyD" wrote:

> "Matt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]
> > Until about 2 weeks ago the only thing my Series II had never done
> > wrong was burn or use engine oil, I have not had to top it up for 5
> > years (no honestly). However, now it belches huge clouds of smoke out
> > all the time (it doesn't matter what the engine's doing - hot, cold,
> > slow, slower).
> >
> > So the million dollar question is: what's the most likely cause to the
> > sudden oil burning?
> >
> > Any ideas welcome as I'd rather not shell out for a full engine recon
>
> Contaminated fuel?
> Too much oil in the sump?
> Blocked air filter or inlet?
> Dropped too much Redex into the tank?

"Series II" is a little ambiguous to me, but if you're talking about the
old Series Land Rover with the 2.25 engine, the air pipe from filter to
carb (or manifold) can collapse internally, leading to much smoke and
loss of power (maybe more smoke on a diesel).

--
David G. Bell -- SF Fan, Filker, and Punslinger.

"History shows that the Singularity started when Sir Tim Berners-Lee
was bitten by a radioactive spider."

 

J

JD

Guest

• Jul 28, 2004

• #10

Larry wrote:

> What is a PCV valve, did they have those in 1973 ?

Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve - sits next to the carburettor and is
circular about 50mm across. They certainly had them in 1973, but not
probably in all markets - and it may have been removed.

JD

 

M

Matt

Guest

• Jul 28, 2004

• #11

EMB <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Matt wrote:
>
> > Until about 2 weeks ago the only thing my Series II had never done
> > wrong was burn or use engine oil, I have not had to top it up for 5
> > years (no honestly). However, now it belches huge clouds of smoke out
> > all the time (it doesn't matter what the engine's doing - hot, cold,
> > slow, slower).
> >
> > So the million dollar question is: what's the most likely cause to the
> > sudden oil burning?
> >
> > Any ideas welcome as I'd rather not shell out for a full engine recon
>
> What sort of engine?

Sorry - 2.25 petrol, and the smoke is blue/black

 

E

EMB

Guest

• Jul 29, 2004

• #12

Matt wrote:
>
> Sorry - 2.25 petrol, and the smoke is blue/black

Could be running really rich and bore washing - I';d be getting amongst
the carb as a starting point. Also the diaphragm in the fuel pump may
be leaking and filling the sump with petrol, thinning the oil and thus
it is passing the rings etc and turning to smoke.

That would be my first 2 places to look - is everything seems fine there
then ask again.


--
EMB
change two to number to reply

 

L

Larry

Guest

• Jul 27, 2004

• #13

I assume on my series 3 that it is worn piston rings or valve seals, a
generally tired engine that has worked hard.


--
Larry
Series 3 rust and holes

"Matt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Until about 2 weeks ago the only thing my Series II had never done
> wrong was burn or use engine oil, I have not had to top it up for 5
> years (no honestly). However, now it belches huge clouds of smoke out
> all the time (it doesn't matter what the engine's doing - hot, cold,
> slow, slower).
>
> So the million dollar question is: what's the most likely cause to the
> sudden oil burning?
>
> Any ideas welcome as I'd rather not shell out for a full engine recon

 

C

Chris

Guest

• Jul 31, 2004

• #14

"Matt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Until about 2 weeks ago the only thing my Series II had never done
> wrong was burn or use engine oil, I have not had to top it up for 5
> years (no honestly). However, now it belches huge clouds of smoke out
> all the time (it doesn't matter what the engine's doing - hot, cold,
> slow, slower).
>
> So the million dollar question is: what's the most likely cause to the
> sudden oil burning?
>
> Any ideas welcome as I'd rather not shell out for a full engine recon

You havn't recently topped up the oil and overdone it have you? Obvious
first check is to get her on a level surface and check the oil level.


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.718 / Virus Database: 474 - Release Date: 09/07/2004

 

L

Larry

Guest

• Jul 27, 2004

• #15

What is a PCV valve, did they have those in 1973 ?
--
Larry
Series 3 rust and holes

"JD" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Matt wrote:
>
> If this happened suddenly, as you indicate, and assuming it is a 2.25
petrol
> engine, possibilities I can see are :-
> 1. Broken piston ring or hole in piston
> 2. Split diaphragm in PCV valve (if fitted)
> 3. One or more valve stem seals failed.
>
> the first one is an engine strip job, the second is about five minutes to
> check and another five to fix for a few dollars, the third is several
hours
> and a few tens of dollars.
>
> JD

 

M

Matt

Guest

• Aug 2, 2004

• #16

"Chris" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "Matt" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Until about 2 weeks ago the only thing my Series II had never done
> > wrong was burn or use engine oil, I have not had to top it up for 5
> > years (no honestly). However, now it belches huge clouds of smoke out
> > all the time (it doesn't matter what the engine's doing - hot, cold,
> > slow, slower).
> >
> > So the million dollar question is: what's the most likely cause to the
> > sudden oil burning?
> >
> > Any ideas welcome as I'd rather not shell out for a full engine recon
>
> You havn't recently topped up the oil and overdone it have you? Obvious
> first check is to get her on a level surface and check the oil level.
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.718 / Virus Database: 474 - Release Date: 09/07/2004

No, as mentioned I have never had to top up the oil. I favour the
inlet pipe solutions as:
a) mine looks knackered, and
b) it sounds like the cheapest and easiest thing to fix.

I will report back with progress - thanks for all the suggestions