Author Topic: 2E oil loss - low oil pressure and knocking (video)  (Read 7543 times)

Offline jmsheahan

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2E oil loss - low oil pressure and knocking (video)
« on: 04 August 2011, 11:41 »
Morning all,

After some tech advice regarding a problem with oil loss. I've been reading up on a few issues and was after some clarification a few things.

A little background - I've recently finished my 2E 2.0 conversion on my mk2 digi 8v (2E block with a PB head). The block had done a reported 100k, although I have no proof of this, and turned over lovely and smooth with minimal bore wear. The head was on 140k and was fully refurbed with new valve guides and stem seals.

Engine pulls and drives very well however I'm burning a fair amount of oil in not a great deal of miles - most noticeable symptom is a plume of blue/grey smoke between gear change at high revs (over 5k). This is the only time I can see it smoking. Idle smells a bit fumey but no plume on start up etc. I ran a compression test to see what was going on and these were the figures after 3-4 strokes (seem ok to me?):

Engine cold:
Cylinder 1: 190 psi / 13.1 bar
Cylinder 2: 190 psi / 13.1 bar
Cylinder 3: 200 psi / 14 bar
Cylinder 4: 200 psi / 14 bar

Engine up to temp:
Cylinder 1: 190 psi / 13.1 bar
Cylinder 2: 190 psi / 13.1 bar
Cylinder 3: 195 psi / 13.5 bar
Cylinder 4: 200 psi / 14 bar

Barely any difference and seems healthy? Spark plugs look in reasonable health after 800-1000 miles. Plugs were bone dry and not oily, just a little black where it was running a little rich for a few miles before the timing was setup properly:


Cylinder 1:



Cylinder 2:



Cylinder 3:



Cylinder 4:



And this is the breather setup




If the rings were shot surely I'd be getting worse compression figures? Worn rings would smoke all of the time? It's been suggested that perhaps a stem seal has been fitted incorrectly. I guess what I'm trying to work out is whether it's a cylinder head issue or the block?

Any help appreciated, cheers!

« Last Edit: 30 September 2011, 09:39 by jmsheahan »

Offline Horney

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Re: 2E oil loss - compression test results
« Reply #1 on: 04 August 2011, 11:44 »
Compression on those is fine, I would be looking at the head to blame.

Nick

Offline Wayne

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Re: 2E oil loss - compression test results
« Reply #2 on: 04 August 2011, 11:59 »
As Nick said compression readings look spot on, so head problem or stem seal.

Offline danny_p

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Re: 2E oil loss - compression test results
« Reply #3 on: 04 August 2011, 21:56 »
stem seal or stem seal + valve guide
all the VW's have gone bar 1.

Offline jmsheahan

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Re: 2E oil loss - compression test results
« Reply #4 on: 04 August 2011, 22:13 »
Cheers chaps. Slightly happier as I'd rather that than the rings going. Gah, bloody cars :rolleyes:

I'm surprised I haven't got any smoke on start up.

Offline jmsheahan

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Re: 2E oil loss - compression test results
« Reply #5 on: 06 August 2011, 11:05 »
Is there any way to test whether it's the seals or guides? If it's just seals I can do it with the head still on.

Offline Wayne

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Re: 2E oil loss - compression test results
« Reply #6 on: 06 August 2011, 11:23 »
How many miles has it done, might be worth looking at getting the guides replaced if has done a lot of miles.

Offline jmsheahan

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Re: 2E oil loss - compression test results
« Reply #7 on: 06 August 2011, 11:28 »
The head has done 140k odd but has just had a complete overhaul, new guides, seals etc, full works. I'm wondering if perhaps a seal isn't quite situated properly.
« Last Edit: 06 August 2011, 12:50 by jmsheahan »

Offline Wayne

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Re: 2E oil loss - compression test results
« Reply #8 on: 06 August 2011, 11:31 »
The head has done 140k odd but has just had a complete overhaul, new guides, seals etc. I'm wondering if perhaps a seal isn't quite situated properly.

Does seem like it yes  :smiley:

Offline benji mk2

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Re: 2E oil loss - compression test results
« Reply #9 on: 06 August 2011, 12:12 »
I've got pretty much the same problem but on a lower mileage engine, started off as stem seals (back off the throttle at high revs then back on =  big puff of smoke). Sold the car years ago, now bought it back and it's using oil like its going out of fashion. Comp test is fine, breathers all cleaned out, incl the metal gauze thingy. Smokes under hard acceleration. Tbh I'm not that fussed as I've just bought a 20vt to put in but it would be nice to get to the bottom of it! Good luck