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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: oakgreengolf on 10 September 2012, 18:25

Title: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: oakgreengolf on 10 September 2012, 18:25
I'm in the process of tidying the engine bay up and I'm getting a bit carried away!! I'm getting all the aluminum parts cleaned. Question is whether to do the oil seals whilst its all off. Engine has done 140k and was using a little oil. (may have been from rocker gasket). I know it is possible to do the seals without the head comming off but this looks like a lot of hard work and  grinding the valves back in must be a good thing right?. It's an abf engine, are the gaskets any more prone to failing once removed.  I've seen the full gasket set for £70 inc the bolts which I thought was quite reasonable.
Title: Re: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: Mr Blue on 10 September 2012, 19:20
Unless the rocker gasket was throwing lots of oil out then that would be one way it was losing oil. I would take the head off and change the lot while its out but thats just me.

Gearbox flange seals also. Quite easy to do with the box out :smiley:
Title: Re: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: oakgreengolf on 10 September 2012, 20:00
not planning on removing the gearbox to be honest that is a step too far. anything else worth doing? I use the car everyday so want to give it a good going over. was thinking new sensors too. I've already bought a new lambda.
Title: Re: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: oakgreengolf on 13 September 2012, 09:16
Will the head have to be skimmed or is this only if it over heats.
Title: Re: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: Diamond Hell on 13 September 2012, 09:58
Unless the rocker gasket was throwing lots of oil out then that would be one way it was losing oil. I would take the head off and change the lot while its out but thats just me.

If it's not leaking it, it's burning it.

Would suggest it could be valve stem seals, or piston rings.  Check for smoke when it's started from cold - this would be stem seals.  Do a compression test to see if everything's evens for piston rings.

Head would need to be checked to decide whether it needs skimming - needs to be straight and true and flat - metal rule on edge would decide this for you.

If/when you take it off, undo the bolts in sequence.
Title: Re: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: oakgreengolf on 13 September 2012, 12:05
Readings where all good when I did a compression test recently. Are new guides recommended or is it a case of seeing how much play there is in the valves.
Title: Re: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: Gambit on 13 September 2012, 15:52
what where you compression results? ideally you want in & around 200psi per cylinder

if you are having the head done then do the guides, no need to skim unless overheated as you say, though skim can help lift compression a wee hair also!

all depends how much you wanna do. if you are taking head off you can even change piston rings & big ends with the block & gearbox in place, just remove sump for access
Title: Re: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: oakgreengolf on 13 September 2012, 19:25
Just done it again and I'm getting 230psi across all 4 does this sound high. I've got the inlet manifold off if that makes any difference.
Title: Re: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: Gambit on 13 September 2012, 20:39
Is that dry compression test across all 4 cylinders? it is high but higher the better, if it is then its in great health!

At that psi i would not be touching the block and cylinder head leave it as is. You can replace inlet, exhust manifold, cam cover gaskets but dont be removing head

Title: Re: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: oakgreengolf on 13 September 2012, 20:57
Yes that's dry tested.  I was going to replace oil seals whilst I was refurbishing manifolds, perhaps I should just change the rocker gasket and see what happens to the oil usage.
Title: Re: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: Gambit on 13 September 2012, 21:27
What grade of oil are you using?
Title: Re: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: oakgreengolf on 13 September 2012, 21:54
10/40 semi synthetic.
Title: Re: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: Gambit on 13 September 2012, 22:23
Dead on so we know youre using the correct grade. How much oil was it using? If it was me and with those compression readings id just Change the cam cover gasket, and give it an oil change but only fill it till halfway between max n min, and then monitor it

can you see it burning oil when driving at all?
Title: Re: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: oakgreengolf on 14 September 2012, 10:35
It does smoke but mainly from cold which I suppose is condensation build up as its left standing now and then.  I've had an 8v before and this was very smokey especially when you gave it a bit if welly. I'm getting no excessive smoke when I acceleratE either.
Title: Re: Engine tidy now thinking oil seals
Post by: Gambit on 14 September 2012, 11:32
It does smoke but mainly from cold which I suppose is condensation build up as its left standing now and then.  I've had an 8v before and this was very smokey especially when you gave it a bit if welly. I'm getting no excessive smoke when I acceleratE either.

condensation/steam out of the exhaust on cold mornings aint smoke, you are looking for blue smoke but if you are seeing none then id be inclined to leave as is and just do the cam cover gasket and any other gaskets you fancy doing bar splitting the head from the block

if you brim 16v's with oil then they all tend to burn a bit hence run them at halfway.

get a mate to follow you as you boot it down the road, and then coast down on overrun then floor it again. he'll be able to see does it smoke on acceleration/deacceleration as its not always easy for you to see out the rear window for it unless its really bad

but the fact you are getting 230psi shows the engine is very healthy