I think the oil is getting too hot - high revs it smokes a little - I had a look a couple of days ago after a drive - gave it a little tickle using the throttle cable - and smoke was coming out from the top of the breather on the oil catch tank.

Would this suggest it's getting too hot? I don't want to to sound an obvious question, but would a modine/oil cooler sort this?

Ideas?

Thanks.

 

cant really tell from that TBH mate,
sounds like its just breathing, spend a few quid on a oil temp gauge first.

i think ideally you wanna see 105 - 110 deg C, at most (on track i spose),
after that the oil becomes less effective, but under 80ish and again, the oil
dont get round quite as good!

 

What kind of pressure should I be seeing pee vee or is it different to every car?

 

more than 1 bar at idle and more than 3 bar hot.

smoke from the filler cap is a worn engine!! its not the oil getting too hot.

 

them Zetec SEs are known for piston rings aint they? so it might well 'breathe heavy' ?

Edit: yes mate pressure is different for different types of engine.

 

Aye - well it's done 70k of hard abuse now, and it's not exaclty in a standard state of tune.

No probs - will order some new goodies for it then I guess.

 

Piston rings CAN go - Ford don't sell em seperatly though! They advise a new engine (disposable engines!) but you can buy em else where.

Might be worth going for pistons and rods at the same time while it's apart.

 

If you want to know if you need an oil cooler than put an oil temperature gauge on it!!

 

get pistons and rods mate.. Super 1600 engine style!
them things are AMAZING! even if they only last 1000 km

 

The "other" engine I'll be borrowing for a while to test it's limits is as close to S1600 spec as it'll get without going to Mountune!

 

the two 1.6 zetec se engines i had only got about 10-12psi oil pressure when hot. Valve stem seals are also a weakness, mine used to smoke like dot cotton on the over run, and it did that for about 60k miles. I wouldnt be getting too concerned unless it starts smoking lots.

 

It's only on over run, at about 7/7.5k

Valve stem seals done.