I know its handy for losing people when being followed but friends of the earth are not too happy. Doesn't smoke too bad on tickover but blue smoke pours out of the exhaust when any load is put on the engine. Can anyone please point me in the right direction as to whether it is rings, valves or something else?
The centre console light also go out when I switch the headlights on - any ideas?
|
So if the headlight switch operates the smoke screen perhaps the wiper switch activates the rocket launchers?
Seriously, sounds most like valve seals, looks like a trip to the garage is on the cards for proper diagnosis.
|
Unlikely to be valve seals if it smokes on load - they smoke on overrun when engine vaccuum sucks the oil past the valve stems. It's probably the rings or something. Either way, a heavily smoking engine of that vintage is probably not worth rebuilding, I's just fit another one - you might need a new cat though, as it will probably be knackered by the oil...
--
RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
|
|
You could try doing a compression test,then pour about 20 ml of oil into each plug hole and repeat test.If compression remains the same it is being lost through valve guides/seals,if it goes up it means the oil has made a temporary seal around the pistons/bores.
|
I would be amazed if it were the valve stem oil seals! They tend to be worst when the inlet manifold pressure is low (or vacuum is high if you prefer). Smoke on overrun is the classic symptom.
On these engines, it is likely that the pistons are worn, and it is possible that the bores are OK. However, as mentioned above, it may not be worthwhile repairing the engine.
The variable resistor for the dashboard lights is open circuit.
Number_Cruncher
|
Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the advise. It looks like it might have to be a reconditioned engine. The car has an automatic gearbox. Does anyone know if the engine is the same for a manual as a auto or is the casing different? Could I fit a 1400cc engine instead of a 1600cc or would it cause problems with the ECU?
|
Does anyone know if the engine is the same for a manual as a auto
It's the same, so you should just be able to swap the engine and keep the autobox.
Could I fit a 1400cc engine instead of a 1600cc or would it cause problems with the ECU?
Not sure. But if you change the ecu, you'll also have to ensure you have the keys from the donor car as well, because the immobiliser chip in the key is married up to the ecu.
|
|
Yup, fair points, it is less likely to be valve stem seal if it smokes most under load, I did not pick up on load bit of the original post, got distracted by the sense of humour, nice that people see the light hearted side of a potentially expensive problem.
|
The Vauxhall 8V engines were prone to breather blockage leading to crankcase pressurising and excessive oil use. Are the 16V engines also prone to this problem?
Could be cheaper than an exchange engine...
|
|
Thanks for the life line Percy. How can I tell if the breather is blocked?
|
On the 8V engines there was a rubber pipe from the top of the cam cover that went to the engine air intake. This pipe used to get blocked with oil/water emulsion on my Cavvy. Also on the inside of the cam cover where this rubber pipe joined on, there was a sort of 'sieve' arrangement to stop oil blowing out in large quantities. This sieve also used to become partially blocked. I never had problems of your magnitude, but I do remember hearing tales of engine dipsticks blowing out due to excess crancase pressure. Of course the 16V engine may be completely different.
Good luck.
DD if you are around, could you help on this one?
|
DD if you are around, could you help on this one?
John, I know what you're refering to on the 8 valve, as I had to change the wire gauze in my rocker box cover as the rocker cover gasket kept leaking because of the pressure build up, but I'm not sure if the early 16 valve engine had this gauze or not.
I only had the 8 valve Cavalier and previously to that an 8 valve Astra; and as the 2.2 litre lump in my Vectra is a different engine to the 1.6 16v, I couldn't comment - sorry.
|
Update - head is off and one of the piston rings is broken. I have been offered another 1.6 engine for £225 with a four month guarantee.
Does anyone know of any likely problems with buying another engine? Are there any differences between 1.6 engines. Mine is a 1.6 GLX auto. I assume that I will have to notify DVLA?
Thanks
|
Flywheel MAY be different , bellhousing round clutch MAY be different. You will need your old engines inlet and exhaust manifolds plus all connections with auto box (sorry to state the obvious)
Check the engine number is at least compatible with yours ie. same prefix/suffix or if different you know why. (you do not want an engine much older or younger not compatible with your ECU..
Other than that I know nowt.
madf
|
I may be talking complete twaddle here but how bad is the damage?
Is it repairable without having to remove the engine?
H
|
|
Thanks for the replies. A piston ring has broken on one of the cylinders. I assume that the rest of the engine has to come out to change the rings and look for any other damage?
|
|
Nope: it's usually a case of taking off the cylinder head and the sump and that's it! Like previous poster says: if engine isn't already out and the damage to the cylinder isn't too bad then it can be fixed easily enough in situ.
|
