engine and drivetrain Gulp... help! Test run failed. (lil long)

[GregR]

Ok was going on a test drive after changing all the fluids and valve adjustment (they where fine) was on the highway going about 65-70 (3500rpm or so) when I noticed the car required more and more throttle to maintain the speed when finally the car began to lose speed, and the cars temp spiked to about 3/4 high, at this point the car was running rough. I stopped at a station and kept the car running as I was about 10-15 miles out from home and was afraid it would not start again. It cooled off and under the hood there was a noticeable amount of oil coming from the oil cap, valve cover gasket (torqued these to the correct torque upon reassembly) and under the air filter. I limped home being careful not to let the car idle as it would have surely died. When I got home I pulled the plugs to see if there was any of fouling and inspected everything for noticeable flaws. I opened the air filter housing (still has stock dish) and there was a considerable amount of oil pooled in the bottom.

After cleaning up the oil mess and inspecting coil wires and such, I started the car to see if the problem improved at all. I could still tell the engine was not happy as it was still having the rough idle so I parked it for the night. Could the oil give the carb lasting problems? The radiator had correct amout of fluid as well....

The car still has the 32/32 Solex.

What could have caused this mishap, I'm stumped... is this symptomatic of something I'm missing? I hope the engine isn't throwing in the towel.

Any help/suggestions/ideas very much welcome! Thanks!

[BigDog]

Could be if you messed around there, the timing is changing as you drive, eventually becoming quite bad...

More likely, you've got an oil pressure issue, how much oil did you put in when you changed it? Did you remember to drain it before adding new oil?

Also, can you tell if the oil is coming from the PCV vent? That is from the hose on the top of the valve cover to the carb?

Finally, it's possible you have blown a head gasket, oh joy, but that's not the end of the world, it's a job you can do if you're competent mechanic.

-------------

BigDog

'76 2002

[Chris_B]

First question: where did all that oil come from and why did it come? BigDog asks an excellent question about oil- did you overfill? Have you checked your oil level?

Oil in the carb is not a lasting problem- it will wash out.

If your oil level is OK, it seems like something is causing excess pressure in the crankcase/head, pushing oil out the breather. A compression test is likely in order.

[GregR]

I do suspect the oil in the air filter housing did come from the valve cover hose. I dumped the oil before the change and put the 4.5 quarts in. I'm almost religious when it comes to checking the levels after putting in fresh oil. Another thing I forgot to mention was when I checked the engine at the station, I removed the oil cap while the engine was running. The rough idle was replaced by a smooth, low rev. I'd estimate it went to about 2k-2.2k, where before it was just idling barely enough to stay running.

How fast would a blown head gasket manifest itself as milky oil?

[Chris_B]

Sounds like you may have a vacuum leak into the crankcase. i am not sure how or where that may be coming from, but pulling the cap relieves it. This also accounts for the oil leaking from the valve cover/through the breather. I dunno about the '76 smog plumbing, but I am wondiner whether your car still does it still has it...?

[GregR]

Well interesting enough I just did a de-smog about a month and a half ago. I have a vacuum line running from the advance on the distributor to the intake manifold, one from the fuel return valve to the the designated port on the carb. I removed just about everything else and capped the open ports. I did notice also when I had the valve cover off it had a strange textured gasket which I have never seen before. I just got a replacement today. Also, within the last hour studied the service records and there was a couple of problems with the choke sticking in the past, could the choke have goofed making bad idling?

I plan to tackle this beastie tomorrow and get some answers.

[Chris_B]

Sure, a mal-adjusted choke can screw up idling bigtime. This doesn't go very far to explain the oil leaks/oil in-the-carb, idling problem, etc. I have reached the end of my knowledge and experience on the '76 smog plumbing, solex setup, etc.

Perhaps someone familiar with the '76 can speak up.

[Chris_B]

Did you make any other changes to the motor or any thing else in the car during this recent work? It is amazing how often lengthly discussions transpire about a problem, and then after several days of discourse, it turns out that there was more work done at or around the same time that turned out to be relevant.

[GregR]

Ya, it was the oil involvement that stumped me. It pretty much started after this routine (not so routine I guess if you look at it that way) service. I'll have to probably sleep on it, but right now I recall only the fluids/valve check and the de-smog since I have been the owner. I've had the car only since December so unfortunately I don't have much to go on when it comes to maintenance history, although I do have some documentation. Regardless though I do appreciate the insight, it has given me some good ideas on where to dive in to this and find the problem/solution.

[Rob7502]

Yeah sounds like you are getting excessive crank case pressure. The only thing that I can think that would cause that is you may have droped a ring. Unless you are like me and start talking and get destracted and accidently put to much oil in.

[mikem]

Eliminate the Solex as a problem.

Sorry, can't help with your oil belching problem.

See you Sunday?

[GregR]

I'm planning on going but if the ice keeps up tonight its hard telling. You thinking about going Mike? Its going to depend on road conditions for me. The 318is is a bear on the ice.

[mikem]

(nt)

[GregR]

Well after doing a compression test it appears the car has a blown head gasket.

The results were:

#1 30** (yikes)

#2 125

#3 125

#4 130

Just ordered head bolts, gaskets etc. and will probably be tackling this puppy this next weekend. (Sorry Tim, looks like I'm out of the game for Der Krewe..)

The oil did begin to "froth" and there was some floating in the radiator.

While I'm at it I'm planning on ditching the DIDTA for a 32/36 weber.

Is it necessary to hog the intake manifold for a 32/36? I think I've heard it can be either way, this correct?

[Rob7502]

Unless you are getting a lot of coolant in the cyclinder I would suspect a broken ring or a burnt valve. Usualy if you blow a head gasket and it leads to a drop in compresion you would either hear it or you would have two blown cyclinders (burnt through from one cylinder to the next).

Good luck