Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 02:39:27 UT
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes57@CLASSIC.MSN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes57@CLASSIC.MSN.COM>
Subject: Re: Unreal oil consumption on diesel Vanagon
I would check the crankcase ventilation system. The steady stream of smoke
indicates this. This was a common problem with diesel rabbits. The oil would
flow up the vent and fill the intake manifold. Sometimes to the point that
the could would not slow down when closing the throttle. As you fitted a non
Vanagon engine in there, you may have a baffle problem or need to rig some
type of oil separator/return to get the liquid back to the crankcase. Also,
make sure you are not over filling the engine. Try running it a quart low and
see if the situation improves. As far as I'm concerned, a VW engine should
never be filled to the top mark anyway. Hope this helps,
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon mailing list On Behalf Of Gary A Meek
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 1997 2:23 AM
To: Vanagon@GERRY.SDSC.EDU
Subject: Unreal oil consumption on diesel Vanagon
Several years ago, I rebuilt my 1.6 litre TD motor, putting
in 20 thou oversize pistons, and fitting them with Hastings oil
and compression rings - all chromium.
I ran conventional oil for several thousand miles, then
switched to Delvac 1, the Mobil synthetic designed for diesels.
I slowly began using oil, at first a litre every thousand miles.
Then several months ago, down to two hundred miles to the
litre. At that point, I went back to Delvac conventional oil, as I
could not afford the $ to keep feeding the motor, synthetic oil.
On my holidays just completed, the consumption increased
to about 50 miles to the litre. Needless to say, when checking
the oil, it has the cleanest oil for a diesel! The exhaust is sky
blue and never black.
Back home, I just completed a compression test, thinking
the rings must be worn or broken for some reason. The
compression values average 480 psi throughout, which is
what they were three years ago.
My question is then, can the compression rings be good,
but the oil scraper ring fouled or broken? Alternatively, can
the valve stem seals be so leaky as to allow oil to leak into the
combusion chamber?
The motor has never ran low on coolant, or over heated. I
changed the turbocharger, thinking the impeller was drawing
oil from the oil lubricated bearings and driving it into the motor.
Oil consumption was unchanged.
I'm baffled, annoyed and disgusted. What is the percentage
likelihood of leaky valve stem seals versus defective oil scraper
rings? ? ? Any other possibilities not heretofore considered? ?
E-mail me directly if you have a clue, as the head is coming
off today at 1100 hours.
Gary A Meek
Sherwood Park, Alberta
Canada
82 Vanagon, turbo-diesel
83 Quantum, turbo-diesel
83 Audi, turbo-diesel
