2.4 Owner's Paranoia? Or is it more?!

[Sancho]

Forget about what the steam is for now. It's probably leaked oil burning off. You have a leak. Probably the rocker cover gasket. A fiver and an hour to fix or less than fifty at a garage. Fix that, wait a week see if there is any more leak or oil level goes down. If so, take a look at the crankshaft seal. If that's fine, start wondering what the 'steam' is.

[jim_5elf]

Forget about what the steam is for now. It's probably leaked oil burning off. You have a leak. Probably the rocker cover gasket. A fiver and an hour to fix or less than fifty at a garage. Fix that, wait a week see if there is any more leak or oil level goes down. If so, take a look at the crankshaft seal. If that's fine, start wondering what the 'steam' is.

Thanks Sancho for your quick reply. Before I forget about it, can I just ask: is it normal for steam (looks like grey exhaust) to be coming out of the pipe which is connected to the block when the engine is on? This is the pipe which goes from the block to the air filter pipe.. If so, then I will replax. But it is deffently coming from there amd not anywhere else...

Thanks

[andyverran]

I took the turbo elbow off and there does seem to be oil in there. If i wipe my finger in it, it comes oil black..

The 'steam' (as ive been incorrectly calling!) is now visable through the air filter pipe. As it is removed from the turbo, I can see it coming out of both ends. (The other end being the airfilter...)

I'm guessing this is burning oil? What does it mean?

Thanks for all of your help so far!

So you have oil vapour coming from the turbo?
Can you get pics or video?

[jim_5elf]

Just uploaded this video to youtube. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULI2Slfc3qQ

[andyverran]

Just uploaded this video to youtube. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULI2Slfc3qQ

If memory serves that pipes only connection to the engine is the engine breather....top of the cam cover at the back on the right...pop that off and have another look.

[jim_5elf]

Yeah that's right- This 'steam' is coming out of the engine breather....And when all is connected, its coming along the piping and drifting up around the turbo. This is what caused my alarm!

[andyverran]

Sounds like it's breathing a bit heavily, but if the oil level isn't dropping catastrophically fast then probably not a disaster.

Compression test and 'sniffer' in the coolant if you want total piece of mind.

[shokenore]

Yeah that's right- This 'steam' is coming out of the engine breather....And when all is connected, its coming along the piping and drifting up around the turbo. This is what caused my alarm!

So you have oil vapour coming out of the rocker box.

Try a 20w50 oil.

[jim_5elf]

Sounds like it's breathing a bit heavily, but if the oil level isn't dropping catastrophically fast then probably not a disaster.

Compression test and 'sniffer' in the coolant if you want total piece of mind.

Out of interest, if the oil level was dropping catastrophically fast then what would that mean? Piston rings?

I will get a compression test done next week at the garage. What is a sniffer test?!

Will update when I know more. Thanks for all of your time & help.

(Oil change is in order I think, thanks for the suggested grade)

[andyverran]

Out of interest, if the oil level was dropping catastrophically fast then what would that mean? Piston rings?

I will get a compression test done next week at the garage. What is a sniffer test?!

Will update when I know more. Thanks for all of your time & help.

(Oil change is in order I think, thanks for the suggested grade)

It would indicate combustion pressure entering block...either rings or head gasket...engines are an exercise in managed decay, so as long as it's not a sudden change then it's probably just normal wear, How many miles on it?

At the risk of starting a fight, I don't agree on the oil grade ... thicker won't stop it burning but will make it harder to start in the winter and won't feed the turbo with oil as fast as say a 10W40...several threads arguing about that on here so I will stop there!

oh, sniffer...I don't know what they're really called...device for testing CO content in the coolant...
like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-75500-Co.../dp/B0007ZDRUI

[jim_5elf]

Thanks Andy - sound advice. Best I reconsider that oil grade then as winters here drop down to -30 sometimes... She'll need all the help starting that she can get!

About 250,000km

[andyverran]

Thanks Andy - sound advice. Best I reconsider that oil grade then as winters here drop down to -30 sometimes... She'll need all the help starting that she can get!

About 250,000km

So 160,000 miles or so...depending on previous maintenance and oil quality it's likely normal wear.

[shokenore]

At the risk of starting a fight, I don't agree on the oil grade ... thicker won't stop it burning but will make it harder to start in the winter and won't feed the turbo with oil as fast as say a 10W40...several threads arguing about that on here so I will stop there!


http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-75500-Co.../dp/B0007ZDRUI

Pussy

[andyverran]

Pussy

[jim_5elf]

Thought that you maybe interested in an update...

I took the surf to a 4x4 specialist and he says that the engine is close to death. He says that it is burning oil, propbably through the pistons. He seems to think there is no point spending money on it, as he thinks when replacing the rings it will uncover a load more problems. He likes to remind me that I should have bought the 3ltr... (Although I dont see the relevance here!?)

What he has suggested: for the bigger picture is to buy a new 3ltr engine and have him switch it over.. I have the automatic and he needs to double check that it is possible. I will also read up on this.

But for now, he took off the breather tube where it connects to the turbo and air filter, and has angled it down towards the ground. I need to buy some longer tubing mind, as at the moment i'm getting burnt oil fumes inside the cab! Not healthly! Ha

He said its best to unplug the breather tube, as it will reduce the pressure in the turbo. Would you guys do this?

When the motor is on and the tube unplugged, it is constantly pouring fumes. BIG TIME! Ive had to go away for work so cant film it as I havent the surf with me. In return I will if people are interested.

As long as I keep oil in it, she will keep running? Or is it a matter of time before she dies...?

Any thoughts, ideas and advice would be a big lift!

Jim