Low oil pressure at idle, also fuel smell in oil!
- Thread starter Dub-Se7en
- Start date
Dub-Se7en
Lifer
yes mate, checked and checked again, we even went back to the machine shop for a 2nd opininon.
the crank is one of the things we truely hope isn't the cause. but, we'll get the easy fixes out the way first, then if worse comes to worse, she'll have to come back out for stripdown and inspection.
the crank is one of the things we truely hope isn't the cause. but, we'll get the easy fixes out the way first, then if worse comes to worse, she'll have to come back out for stripdown and inspection.
StarletRick
Fresh Recruit
pressure mate, its a little ball and spring jobbie that opens up when the presure reaches a certain level.
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goldenvtr
Member +
Cheers Rick.
Ian - only asking as my mate had the one out my other block as his broke, i think he ment he must of snapped it when building his engine.
Dub-Se7en
Lifer
ok, i reduced the boost and fuel pressure to standard, and disabled the FCD. i also unplugged the ECU so it could reset itself.
i then dropped the oil, which had a strong petrol smell to it, filled up with cheap stuff, drove the car until the oil was up to temp, then dropped that and filled with decent stuff.
oil pressure on idle when warm
i ran the car until warm again and couldn't smell any fuel vapour. since then i have covered 50 miles and the fuel smell is beginning to return i am stumped as to why this is happening.
the oil pressure above is acceptable but as more fuel mixes with the oil the pressure will quickly drop to around 16 psi
the car appears to be running spot on even in it's high boost configuration, the plugs look fine, i've took a pic of them
i have also done a compression test, the results below are based on 3 compression strokes per cylinder
1 - 131
2 - 131
3 - 129
4 - 130
now these appear low compared to standard, the combustion chamber work and thicker headgasket may be contributing factors, but i was wondering also if the ring gaps are too big, causing blowby?? gapping the rings was a bit of a grey area for us, the equations that came with the pistons worked out at 15 and 18 though, which is rather a lot. after consulting with an engine builder and Ross themselves we chose 12 and 14 thou.
what else could cause fuel to mix with the oil? it can't be down to the state of tune because there are no other effects like lots of smoke, poor fuel economy, black sooty plugs etc.
it's a baffler. i am getting the car booked in for a leakdown test and afr check asap.
worse still it might just be me but there is a noise emitted from the engine which sounds like a growly crank. this engine has always been noisey compared to a standard one but i've only just noticed this noise, maybe i've not heard it before due to the induction noise of the turbo and now i've wound the boost down it is more apparent, i dunno.
thoughts would be appreciated.
i then dropped the oil, which had a strong petrol smell to it, filled up with cheap stuff, drove the car until the oil was up to temp, then dropped that and filled with decent stuff.
oil pressure on idle when warm
i ran the car until warm again and couldn't smell any fuel vapour. since then i have covered 50 miles and the fuel smell is beginning to return
i am stumped as to why this is happening.the oil pressure above is acceptable but as more fuel mixes with the oil the pressure will quickly drop to around 16 psi
the car appears to be running spot on even in it's high boost configuration, the plugs look fine, i've took a pic of them
i have also done a compression test, the results below are based on 3 compression strokes per cylinder
1 - 131
2 - 131
3 - 129
4 - 130
now these appear low compared to standard, the combustion chamber work and thicker headgasket may be contributing factors, but i was wondering also if the ring gaps are too big, causing blowby?? gapping the rings was a bit of a grey area for us, the equations that came with the pistons worked out at 15 and 18 though, which is rather a lot. after consulting with an engine builder and Ross themselves we chose 12 and 14 thou.
what else could cause fuel to mix with the oil? it can't be down to the state of tune because there are no other effects like lots of smoke, poor fuel economy, black sooty plugs etc.
it's a baffler. i am getting the car booked in for a leakdown test and afr check asap.
worse still it might just be me but there is a noise emitted from the engine which sounds like a growly crank. this engine has always been noisey compared to a standard one but i've only just noticed this noise, maybe i've not heard it before due to the induction noise of the turbo and now i've wound the boost down it is more apparent, i dunno.
thoughts would be appreciated.
Dub-Se7en
Lifer
i don't think the pistons are low comp, they are Ross 74.5mm forged ones.
the noise is hard to explain, it's like a tapping noise, similar to diesel knock, but not as loud. it's also sporadic, not constant like a tappet and the volume and pitch of the noise also alter, it is most noticable from underneath the car. i might try and record a sound clip.
the noise is hard to explain, it's like a tapping noise, similar to diesel knock, but not as loud. it's also sporadic, not constant like a tappet and the volume and pitch of the noise also alter, it is most noticable from underneath the car. i might try and record a sound clip.
Dub-Se7en
Lifer
i have recorded a video, the car hasn't been started for around 45 mins so the revs are up. the noise is quite clear, especially around 1:04 mark
http://www.dubse7en.co.uk/STARLET/oilprob/MOV02823.ZIP
it's in mp4 format so quicktime, gomplayer or vlc will play it.
http://www.dubse7en.co.uk/STARLET/oilprob/MOV02823.ZIP
it's in mp4 format so quicktime, gomplayer or vlc will play it.
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Dub-Se7en
Lifer
Dub-Se7en
Lifer
there is and always has been some piston-slap due to the forged internals, but i'm not so sure that's what this noise is.
i suppose i'll know more once i crack the sump off it and remove a cap. while i'm there i will re-seal the pickup pipe and replace the pressure relief valve, just to make sure.
i suppose i'll know more once i crack the sump off it and remove a cap. while i'm there i will re-seal the pickup pipe and replace the pressure relief valve, just to make sure.
Dub-Se7en
Lifer
if your not running low comp pistons i wud say the compression results are a bit low for a new engine
i would agree to be honest, i don't think it's caused by a failure though, i think it's down to incorrect ring gaps or some similar issue.
it feels every bit as quick as the day i dyno'd it so i think the comp's been low from day 1