JjCoDeX75

Update to post - we think that engine is breathing heavily. Help help. Any suggestions to likely causes?!?!

Thanks




Hi all

I recently (ish) fitted a bailey oil separator/ breather system.

It is a very basic system - pipe comes up from kidney to tank, pipe from cam cover to tank, pipe from tank to side of block, and pipe to atmosphere.

I seem to get a huge build up of the water-oil creamy mixture, which gets so bad I have to clear out the whole system by removing it and cleaning it through to prevent it clogging completely.

The oil remains clean, as does the water system, ruling out an obvious head gasket failure (and it was replaced recently).

Is this really just due to Condensation?
Has anybody else experienced this problem?
Is there any way to resolve/ diminish the problem?

Help!?!?!?!?!?!

JJ

JjCoDeX75

Am I really the only one to have this problem?

Gulp - that doesnt reassure me!

JJ

Dave Henshall

where is the oil return connected to...? is the tank fitted level..?

JjCoDeX75

Hi,

The car is equipped with a 200 block from esco, so I returned in the blanked plug position just above the sum on side of block (beneath exhaust manifold).

Separator appears level to the naked eye!

Thanks in advance for any thoughts?

JJ

rapidcossie

i have same system and get the smallest amount of emulsified water in vent to atmos.

all other pipes are clear.

rapidcossie

sounds like your engine is breathin very heavily?

disconnect the vent and use a bottle to catch anyhting that comes out?

see how you go from there

JjCoDeX75

Hmm - Ok, I will set that up for curiosities sake.

Any thoughts on what would cause an engine to breathe heavily? I have had other troubles with the old girl. She had a full engine rebuild (including complete bottom end rebuild - re-bore, new pistons and rings, full balancing etc.) and checked guides, new stem seals in head, and new turbo.

Even with the above, after 10k (albeit hard miles) I get smoking when the car is under load.

Is it possible that some boost is escaping past the bores, causing too much pressure in block, and causing both probs?

Thanks for your thoughts


PS - as an addendum, spoke to Bailey who were very helpful. They seemed to think that the 'mayo' of oil and water was normal this time of year, and will improve in summer months.

Cheers

JJ

rapidcossie

bailey may be right but dont think it should block up so quickly.

i have never cleaned mine in about 10k miles.

does the car use alot of oil?

JjCoDeX75

UNfortunately, yes it does. Is this ringing bells?

JJ

rapidcossie

yeah probably mate.

there are various reasons for hevey breathing but im not competant enough to go into them i dont think.

one of the experts will be able to help

JjCoDeX75

I will change the title to hopefully attract some attention!

Thanks for your assistance, and I wouldnt mind if you had a crack at what you think it would be!!

Cheers

JJ

JjCoDeX75

I will take any guesses!!

Cheers

JJ

rapidcossie

has to be some reason why pressure is building up in the engine?

take it this pro has been getting gradually worse?

what boost do you run?

JjCoDeX75

Generally, I run as a max about 24-15 psi peak, holding slightly below.

The problem is that the engine had the full rebuild only 10k ago! We had to replace the head gasket a few weeks ago, and replaced the Group A (which had failed) with a Tri-layer WRC Style Cometic Gasket.

Whilst the head was off, I had another look at the guides which seemed to be in good order. The Stem seals were new 10k ago, so I would be surprised if that caused it, which leaves me with this real poser as to why it smokes, and as a consequence why it breathes heavily.

It makes me think piston rings are causing probs, but I am struggling to believe they would fail so quickly!

If it helps, it tends to smoke first thing in the morning after boost is first applied (obvoiusly once warmed up), and then if you accelerate hard down a road - little bit of smoke to start, then when you take your foot off the gas, then re apply your foot, (even gently) a puff of grey smoke is my reward.

Any thoughts appreciated as I am on the verge of stripping the thing to pieces again.

cheers

JJ

Doh!

JjCoDeX75

no one has any ideas?

rapidcossie

come on folks

JjCoDeX75

rapidcossie
,
Thanks for your input. I do appreciate it, though I think we may have them stumped!!

In order to assist with the enquiries, I am going to take it to my local tuning chap, and perform a leak-down test to see how the piston rings are.

Hopefully this will shed light.

I still have reservations about the fuelling - just the usual signs ie very black around the exhaust, and some black smoke when cold. It seems to run very rich (though I cannot qualify this absolutely).

It is running a Bayjhoo (sorry spelling!) Stage 3 Chip which I know is a reliable chip, but I wonder if something else is buggering up the fuelling.


Any thoughts???

JJ

cossie330

iTrader: (1)

HI mate i am having the exact same symptoms as you and mine is a 4x4 saff cossie with breather system and catch tank, the tank seems to fill up with creamy sludge then gets into the air filter hope someone can help or has any ideas

JjCoDeX75

At least I'm not the only one!

I will let you know what I find from the leak-down test. Tell me what your spec is - it may be helpful to compare notes....

rapidcossie

a leak down test will not always determine if rings are fook ed my engine used to pass every test going but still drank oil big time.

try and find and expert that can tell you once and for all.

cant believe no-one else has helped....

come on guys!!!

rapidcossie

move it to general section

JjCoDeX75

Okey dokey

cossie330

iTrader: (1)

Hi mate i have also just found that there is clean oil in the boost pipes which makes me think could be a turbo problem mine also smokes similar way to yours, i may have to look into a new turbo

JjCoDeX75

Doh - Sorry for your loss. Hopefully that will solve it, in which case could be worse!!!!

I checked my pipes, and they are clean. Also the turbo on mine is less than 12 months old, and appears to be ok (pity, cos turbo is still under warranty!!!!!)

I will post my findings after the weekend

JjCoDeX75

Quick update - Performed leakdown test, and with 3 bar of air pressure (min), and achieved less than 5% leak on each cylinder!!

As such, does not appear to be piston rings (which is a relief with the bottom end rebuild only dating 10k ago!!)

So more head scratching and headaches......