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Mystery oil leaks and the joys of running things in

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ClockworkMonkey Seriously Crusin Dubber

199 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·

#942677
Like the topic says :/
Got my new 1835 last week. most awesome of motors! went to give the engine bay a little wipe down and check things over and there is some oil over the tinware. not really alot but you know how a few drops of oil looks like a giant puddle sometimes 🙂 some of it seems to have run out the little drainage hole in the tinware under the degree wheel and gotten burnt on the exhaust 🙁

It hasn't even done 1000ks yet but it will have soon so taking it back for first "service" on monday. (hopefully to be back in time for dubs)

I know sometimes oil can seep out of the alternator stand and this oil also seems much thinner than the thick stuff that i was using in the old 1500sp. there is also a drip from the temp sender but that is only 1 drop. anyone got any suggestions about what else it might be?? the oil seems to be running down the outside of the sump and makes little drips off the bottom fins. but pushrod tubes and valve covers and heads are totally nice and clean. its wierd.

temp sits about 180F after a highway run to ipswich from brissy and the pressure never hits the 50psi marker. it only does when the car is warming up still and oil is thick but otherwise it's all good

No i'm not flogging the crap out of it 🙂 I've been changing well before 4k and have only seen the shift light on a handful of times. the engine is under full load on the highway especially when going up hills but max revs on the highway are 3 - 3.5k at about 110km/h

all these little problems i suppose are all part of looking after a midified 40 something yr old car. you sure do have to love these things don't ya 🙂

ARGH! just needed to vent more than anything really.. appologies to those that lost 2 mins of their lives. 🙂

Doug Sweetman Nil Bastardo Carborundum

2,128 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#942707
Changing under 4k suggests its not blowby pressurising the sump and pushing past the oil slinger on the front of the crank (my 1835 would do this before I put a breather on the rockers, but then mine saw ~7000rpm fairly frequently.....).
Could be the slinger is not installed ?

It's never fun seeing oil leaks on your new engine !!!

ClockworkMonkey Seriously Crusin Dubber

199 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·

#942752
blowby? 🙁 definately hope its not that!! i don't think i have been driving it nowhere near hard enough to fry rings.

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#942755
could be blowby, only takes running too rich during cam break in to glaze the bores, which is the first 20min of running or less.

but it can be any cause thats doing that really.

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

ClockworkMonkey Seriously Crusin Dubber

199 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·

#942756
they joys of motoring eh?

Doug Sweetman Nil Bastardo Carborundum

2,128 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#942766
If it is coming from the front of the crank, it usually hits the pulley and gets thrown up onto the deck lid in a very distinctive line..... If you can't see this its more than likely not coming from the crank.

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#942803
Clean it all up
Take the oil filler cap off and go for a spirited drive
If you don't then have oil spray it is blow by

A good breather set up may relieve the problem
Futue te ipsum!!!

ClockworkMonkey Seriously Crusin Dubber

199 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·

#942835
Well, cleaned it all up and drove it to work... from the looks of it the oil seems to be coming from where the alternator stand is attached to the engine... if that's all it is i'd say it's easy fixed right??
Whats more annoying is the fact that its dripped oil on my lovely new headers which are now crusted with burnt oil 🙁
(if anyone has suggestions about how to clean it up please see my other post about it)

let's hope it's all easily fixed and completed by dubs. i'll find out on monday i guess when i take it in for its service.

i have a csp breather box on it at the moment but i don't have vented valve covers. it just has a line plumbed into the air filter on one of the carbs

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#942858
Take a pic so we can see your set up. There are a million and one things that can cause your symptoms.

So fresh, really your engine builder is the one that should be helping.
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#942874
I agree with matt, whats your engine builder doing about it ?


ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 ·

#942875
every car engine has crank case pressure, that needs to be vented, all new cars have pvc valve that vent back into inlet, VW just vent to atmosphere
If your got a high revving motor it needs to be vented to suit.
Pics ?
😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

ClockworkMonkey Seriously Crusin Dubber

199 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·

#942877
Here is a pic .. sorry its not the best

I'm taking it back on monday to get the problem sorted out so will give you all an update after i drop it off and get a call back 🙂

1 attachment · Log in to view

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#942878
well at least your breather is plumbed to the carby, so it shouldn't be getting crankcase pressure build up.

Make sure you fit your rear tinware too. Having that piece missing will increase the engine bay temps.


ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 ·

#942881
could just be a gasket.
maybe lift oil filler cap off, at idle and see how much pressure coming out. oil should nt come out when haveing a look, as that type of breather normally has
internal baffles.
😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#942885
No tin at the rear ... I hope it's just the pic and you have had it fitted whilst driving or else....there's your oil leak, blow-by past your out-of-round cylinders
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#942886
Does that breather box have other outlets around the back that aren't connected?

It won't be getting a vacumn in the case if there is and they are left "unplugged"

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 ·

#942888
I have that type of breather , I see that yours just has a stock oil cap.
mine runs the cap which is a breather to, I wonder if that makes a difference.???
😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#942892
Could that "plate" between engine block and alt stand be round the wrong way

needs to be down to right (or up and left) to stop oil getting out
Futue te ipsum!!!

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#942900
Under the alternator stand needs to be sealed with silicon, RTV or high temp red etc. If the box is baffled you can run without the vent plate between the stand and case

I would plumb both carb tops to the breather box via a 3 way tee

amazeer Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,029 posts · joined Nov 2005 ·

#942958
or run a breather from the carb tops down to the rocker covers removing the one that is already there. I personally think it looks neater that way.

By running in do you mean that 5 minute test fire up while it is sitting on the milk crate? Thats all mine ever got closely followed by a Mt Ousley "dyno" check. Nearly killed a Schymitzek within 2 minutes when a new engine had more power oversteer than anything I had driven before. Run em in like you intend to drive em is my motto.

ClockworkMonkey Seriously Crusin Dubber

199 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·

#943112
Hellbugged - The other holes in the breather that aren't used are all plugged. there's no oil spouting out with the lid off either. i'll ask about sealant too. thanks!
Matberry -yeah the tinware is all there... that pic was taken at the workshop just before the last bits of tin were fitted 🙂
ian.mezz - if it's just a gasket i'll be a very relieved people

i've done a few wipe-downs and driven around and as far as i can tell oil is only coming out of the bottom of the alternator stand. It goes in tomorrow so i will get some clarification on what the issue is. i'll be happy when i know for sure.. i've been having beetle nightmares all week 🙁

ClockworkMonkey Seriously Crusin Dubber

199 posts · joined Oct 2009 ·

#943723
All fixed!! turns out it was a faulty adapter for the oil cooler. wasn't made properly so it wasn't seating on the oil seals. part replaced. no more leaks 😀

Now to give the car a good old wash and pray the weather gods bring us sunshine for sunday!

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#943725
Cool

Doug Sweetman Nil Bastardo Carborundum

2,128 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#943745
Great news !!!