Poor running/crankcase ventilation

[prlee]

Not to happy with the TR7. I had a problem a week ago when one of the camshaft cover nuts went walk about, leaving oil over the engine bay.

I have replaced the offending item and fitted new rubber washers to all the remaining nuts, replaced the spark plugs (due for a change) and the ignition leads which were covered in oil.

But the engine is not as smooth as it was (for a basic 2.0 Ltr engine anyway).

I noticed oil over the rhs engine, not sure how it got there.
I took the car for a run last night and it runs very nicely and revs well, no power problems and reasonably smooth.

Tonight I started the engine and noticed oil vapour coming out of the dipstick tube. I thought this suggests there could be a problem with crankcase breathing. I haven't checked the compression yet, I will do that tomorrow.

Any thoughts? and how does the crankcase breathing work.




Pete
1981 Carmelian Red 2 litre DHC.
Polybush, KYB shocks, electric fan, electric windows and electronic ignition roller bearing struts and anti-dive kit - otherwise standard
1979 Pageant Blue Spitfire 1500 - some restoration in progress.

[jeffremj]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Any thoughts? and how does the crankcase breathing work.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Check the tube from camshaft cover to carbs:

[prlee]

Thanks, I thought it was only through the top breather tubes. Checked them tonight, blew down them (yuk)and no problem. Tried a compression test but couldn't get the gauge on properly. I will try again on the weekend.

Maybe there isn't a problem, but then again could be piston rings.

Pete
1981 Carmelian Red 2 litre DHC.
Polybush, KYB shocks, electric fan, electric windows and electronic ignition roller bearing struts and anti-dive kit - otherwise standard
1979 Pageant Blue Spitfire 1500 - some restoration in progress.

[Beans]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by prlee</i>

... but then again could be piston rings ... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Wire filter gauze inside rear of cam cover might be blocked with muck.
If that is free and the engine is still pressurizing through the dip stick tube you might be right there [B)]

<center>
<font color="blue"><i>1980 TR7 DHC (my first car, now restored and back on the road)
1981 TR7 FHC Sprint (better known as 't Kreng)</font id="blue">
<b>[url="http://www.tr7beans.blogspot.com/"]<u><b><font size="3"><font color="red">My full Weblog</font id="red"></font id="size3"></b></u>[/url]</b></i></center>

[prlee]

Thanks Beans, breather is okay so I fear the worst.

Other commitments means I will most likely have to put the car into storage for few years.

Pete
1981 Carmelian Red 2 litre DHC.
Polybush, KYB shocks, electric fan, electric windows and electronic ignition roller bearing struts and anti-dive kit - otherwise standard
1979 Pageant Blue Spitfire 1500 - some restoration in progress.

[prlee]

Did the dreaded compression test today, no 4 failed, virtually no compression. The rest were around 6 bar, but I dont know how accurate it is.

Now what to do, I dont really have the spare cash or time to spend on it at the moment, in its current condition its probably not worth selling.

Looks like I need to find someone with a trailer so I can get down to to my parents for storage. Chap next door has a 1980's SD1 V8, been on axles stands for years mmmmmm.

Pete
1981 Carmelian Red 2 litre DHC.
Polybush, KYB shocks, electric fan, electric windows and electronic ignition roller bearing struts and anti-dive kit - otherwise standard
1979 Pageant Blue Spitfire 1500 - some restoration in progress.

[claypole1360]

Pete, where are you based, I have a trailer. Clayps.

What's that coming over the hill? Is it a monster?

1978 TR7V8 FHC
1968 Bond Equipe Sprint Car
1962 Herald Coupe 1200
2003 Peugeot 206 GTI
2009 VW Passat

[prlee]

Thanks Clayps, looks like you're in lincs, I'm in gloss so not local. Hiring a trailer does not look expensive, tame the TR down and bring the Spitfire back, just need a tow bar.

Pete
1981 Carmelian Red 2 litre DHC.
Polybush, KYB shocks, electric fan, electric windows and electronic ignition roller bearing struts and anti-dive kit - otherwise standard
1979 Pageant Blue Spitfire 1500 - some restoration in progress.