Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2013 18:12:51 -0500
Reply-To: Jim Akiba <syncrolist@BOSTIG.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Akiba <syncrolist@BOSTIG.COM>
Subject: Re: Zetec Using oil
In-Reply-To: <3C8079B3-018A-48F1-9EB2-0DC2AA0FD03B@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
Hi Jon,
I wouldn't be too concerned about the engine using oil the way you are
thinking (burning by worn rings, valve guides etc or somehow else being
screwed up). Zetecs don't consume a measurable amount of oil until they
are old and grey, even heavily abused engines won't exhibit much oil
burning unless they have been heavily boosted and the ringlands on the
pistons break or crack, not something you can really even accomplish on a
naturally aspirated setup.
In any case, the most common way you might appear to be losing oil would be
by overfilling. The crank will whip the oil and create a lot of mist as
well as aerate the oil. I'm guessing you have not done an oil change yet
(correct me if I'm wrong) since you drove down from Boston. Is it the case
that you checked the oil in Boston and then drove the 2500 miles and have
now seen it drop on the dipstick? If so from where to where on the dipstick
are you looking? The proper amount of oil should be *between* the two
dots, not up to or over the top one. If you're using the top dot as the
"mark" to fill to, then you might be losing that top bit and trying to keep
it there may well cause windage, misting, consumption through the intake.
Please let us know, or let dre know so we can have a look and monitor your
oil during Dre's next visit to your house and make sure you're not
overfilled.
Also thanks to Bill for giving me a heads up about a Bostig support issue
here, I may not always be paying attention. The second opinions are
useful, but we do need answers to those two questions about when you
checked and what marks you're using (your idea of where to fill to). It's
possible you have a leak as well, but we can also have Dre look that over
and take some pics for us to make sure you aren't losing any. Don't worry
though, 99% chance it's nothing to worry about, just get us a bit more data
and we'll be set!
Cheers,
Jim Akiba
On Sat, Jan 19, 2013 at 5:24 PM, Bill M <billmonk@gmail.com> wrote:
> How many miles have you put on it? My own Zetec engines
> don't use any oil at all between changes. Did you also check
> to see if you have oil in your intake hose? Might be coming out of the
> vent in valve cover. What oil pan do you have
> and how much oil are you using when you change it? If
> you are over filling it will burn off some of it.
>
> Bill M
> 87 Westy
> Zetec Turbo Beta Version
>
> On Jan 19, 2013, at 2:10 PM, Jon Durham <jon_durham@KNOLOGY.NET> wrote:
>
> > Bostig records show the engine they installed in my 85 Vanagon had 24K
> > miles on it.
> >
> > It's using oil. After about 2500 miles I've put in 1 quart. The engine
> > is not leaking oil, no smoke is coming out the exhaust, and the coolant
> > does not have oil in it.
> >
> > Is there a way to determine how the engine is using oil? And id so, what
> > is the fix?
> > --
> > “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is
> > everything. What we think, we become.” Buddha
>
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