Puma losing oil

[Ricky_M]

My 68K miles 1.7 Puma is losing oil and also turning black after a few thousand miles. I changed the oil about three months ago and recently put in 1.5 litres to bring it back up to the max.

It is not leaking it, no patches left on drive way. It seems to me like it being burnt off somehow (piston rings, HG?) but I've not noticed and smoke at all. The old oil when I first changed it was quite thick aswell.

Any simple ways of checking what the cause is without delving to deep into the engine. Taking the cam cover or the sump off is as far as I'm willing to go with my abilities!

[jeebus]

If I recall, puma engines have nikasil lined bores so it could be bad news.

Edited by jeebus on Friday 9th July 22:35

[Ricky_M]

Not that I have noticed, although the it had a new backbox when I bought it and it turned black within a few months, is this normal?

[deevlash]

could be the nikasil liners or valve stem seals or nothing according to pumapeople.com

[jeebus]

Sorry I edited out the smoke bit, I had a puma about 10 years ago and I serviced it myself, and the oil was always pretty clean when it came back out after 6 months. Have you put the correct type of oil in, zetec engines require a certain type of oil in them to prevent problems with sticking valves and such IIRC. Also have you jacked it up and had a really good look underneath and behind the engine for any trace at all of a leak.

[jeebus]

Forgot to add that the backbox going sooty does sound normal.

[Pumaracing]

I'm rapidly losing hair with advancing years but I'm still oil tight and frankly I resent the implication.

[Ricky_M]

I use 5w 30 semi synthetic. When I first had the car there was no oil registering on the dipstick, I drained about 2L from the sump and it was thick and black. Do you think an flushing agent is worth a try with the next oil change?

[sparkybean]

Pumaracing said:

I'm rapidly losing hair with advancing years but I'm still oil tight and frankly I resent the implication.

[Old Merc]

I`ve used Forte products for years in my workshop and they work.Add engine flush to the old oil,gas treatment in the tank and go for 30min run.Change oil & filter and add seal conditioner to the new oil.Its always best to try this first before pulling the engine apart.

[The Excession]

Old Merc said:

and add seal conditioner to the new oil

Please excuse my ignorance but what on earth is 'seal conditioner' and what does it do to the seals in an old engine?

[Ricky_M]

Had a proper poke around underneath and found fresh oil on the underside of the sump. So it is leaking from somewhere, can't quite see where from though as the CV boot has split and covered everything in grease!

Going to try some engine flush and seal conditioner. Hopefully that'll sort it!

Thanks for your help everyone.

[FWDRacer]

Check the cam cover seal and oil p!ssing down the back of the block. The 1.7 is renowned for it.

[Old Merc]

The Excession said:

Old Merc said:

and add seal conditioner to the new oil

Please excuse my ignorance but what on earth is 'seal conditioner' and what does it do to the seals in an old engine?

With age rubber seals in engines get hard,the conditioner makes them soft and they work better particularly the valve stem seals.When the rep` first came to me years ago I thought !?**"!!** but as I said I`ve used the stuff and it works.

[matthewg]

FWDRacer said:

Check the cam cover seal and oil p!ssing down the back of the block. The 1.7 is renowned for it.

This. I had this exact problem.