TERCEL1: The oily bird catches the worm...

[alfradio]

Against my better judgment, I went to the track this evening
and experienced (on 2 of only 3 runs) a large amount of oil in
the engine bay... I'd noticed this once before (a couple weeks
ago up at Cecil County) but, seeing that it only occurred once
in about 12 runs... I didn't pay much attention to it and passed
it off as a fluke... Well, it happened again this evening (twice)
and the the oil 'explosion' (for lack of a better word) is coming
from the breather on the valve cover...

Now, my first inclination would be to install a catch can (which I
may do anyway at some point) but, seeing that I've had many,
many trips down the 1/4 mile without this oily outpouring, I
wonder what may be causing this NOW?

Someone at the track suggested perhaps it was a clogged PCV
valve? Is that a possibility and if so, what PCV valve would be
a direct replacement for the one in the 4EFTE?

Any other possibilities?

alf :homer:

Oh, by the way, here's the report card from my 3 runs of the
evening... Appears that the lower the fuel pressure, the better
the car ran?

It was very hot and the humidity was brutal (not making
excuses for my results but, the weather sucked for blowing!)

 

[Sheldon]

if its trowing oil from the breather its not a good news mate.

 

[HYBRID]

how much oil are we talking about alf?

 

[kingyglanza]

Doesnt sound to good buddy, ive seen this sort of prob before on various other turbo cars and it was down to broken piston rings, pistons and along them lines.
All you can do is hope it is a knackered PCV valve.

 

[alfradio]

All you can do is hope it is a knackered PCV valve.

GULP!!!

I'm hopping it's just THAT as well... a "knackered" PCV valve.

 

[alfradio]

Upon further investigation, I've determined (wishful thinking) the oil explosion
may have been caused by nothing more than a bit too much oil in the engine
after my recent oil change.... Like I said, WISHFUL THINKING!

At Any rate, an oil catch can may be in order...

Now, for those of you who may not know me too well, I REALLY love
Dr. Pepper.... I mean REALLY!!!! Look...

I even bought, on eBay (where else) a six-pack of Dr. Pepper made with Imperial SUGAR!!!

So, I thought it only fitting to construct.... (drum roll please)

Design suggestions accepted!

alf :homer:

 

[stuart]

Alf - Those trousers are legendary!!!!

 

[Rory]

Hey Alf,

You will need to let the engine breathe, put another fitting on the top of the catch can, and run a pipe, to underneath the car, facing backwards.

This will act as a vacuum, and take the oil vapour out, but the tank will keep the oil in.

Lets just hope, it isnt the rings that has let go.......

Rory

 

[alfradio]

Hey Alf,

You will need to let the engine breathe, put another fitting on the top of the
catch can, and run a pipe, to underneath the car, facing backwards.

This will act as a vacuum, and take the oil vapour out, but the tank will keep
the oil in.

Lets just hope, it isnt the rings that has let go.......

Rory

Rory, Rory, Rory... WISHFUL THINKING is the key!


...and stuart, if I wasn't so modest, I'd give everyone a peek at me
modeling what's underneath those legendary trousers but, a photo of
the garment will have to do...

 

[HutchGlanzaV]

Is it just me or does the geezer on the Dr Pepper cans look a bit like Alf?

 

[Jay]

I say go for it Alf, we've seen Redbull catchcans before so (I'm gonna say it) Whats the worse that could happen?

You also mentioned you were getting faster runs on lower fuel pressure - this stands to reason. The leaner the mix the more power and heat it produces. The problem is always making sure you don't run TOO lean. A wideband is a musthave for finetuning the mix.

Were you dropping the fuel pressure deliberately?

 

[alfradio]

Is it just me or does the geezer on the Dr Pepper cans look a bit like alf?

Must be the double-chins! (HaHaHa!)

alf

 

[alfradio]

I say go for it Alf, we've seen Redbull catchcans before so (I'm gonna say it)
Whats the worse that could happen?

And here I thought I was being so creative.... drats!

You also mentioned you were getting faster runs on lower fuel pressure - this
stands to reason. The leaner the mix the more power and heat it produces.
The problem is always making sure you don't run TOO lean. A wideband is a
must have for fine tuning the mix.

Were you dropping the fuel pressure deliberately?

Yes I was... I have an appointment this coming Wednesday to take it to
(as you guys call it) the "rolling road" (dyno) just to set up air fuel ratio...

 

[Ted]

hi mate. the last time i took my 4wd on the track i filled it up too much with oil to help with starvation problems in the corners and on my first run i lost a fair bit of oil out of the breather. it didnt do it on the second run so excess oil could do this.

 

[Jay]

And here I thought I was being so creative.... drats!


Yes I was... I have an appointment this coming Wednesday to take it to
(as you guys call it) the "rolling road" (dyno) just to set up air fuel ratio...

Worst case is that you dropped the fuel pressure too low and denotation took place damaging a piston ring.

Now before you go and headbutt a wall, this kind gent has offered this :

hi mate. the last time i took my 4wd on the track i filled it up too much with oil to help with starvation problems in the corners and on my first run i lost a fair bit of oil out of the breather. it didnt do it on the second run so excess oil could do this.

I would agree that overfilling the oil will give the very same symptoms. Ted and I have seen plenty of tracked GT's and Glanza's spewing random fluids to know that it could just be excess oil.

Until proven otherwise just relax and pretend it was all a bad dream. Engine damage will be easy to spot so just keep an eye on your engine bay. I'm crossing my fingers for you and Terc1 mate.

And on the bright side - at least the engine bay won't rust now!