Oil consumption after a rebuild..

[daveb500]

I've just completed a rebuild on my Griff 500 which included new liners. I've done about 400 miles since the rebuild and the oil consumption has been quite high. I've probably put just over a litre in so far. Previously, I was using about 1 litre every 1k miles.

Oil is currently mineral 10w40

There is no obvious smoke on acceleration or deceleration and no leaks.

I know that it can be higher for a while after a rebuild but does this sound normal?

I'm running it in as per TVR Powers instructions which is A/B road driving, max 3.5k revs for 1k miles then oil change.

Edited by daveb500 on Friday 21st May 10:21

[SteveGRF]

I found the same after a recent rebuild (or alternative build to be percise), V8D filled it with similar running in oil & I noted the oil consumption seemed worryingly high, however it eased off towards the time for a oil change (back to normal oil).

[daveb500]

Thanks Steve, that's good to know.

[daveb500]

Well, I went out for a long run yesterday to the Elan Valley and Brecon (lovely ). I covered about 220 miles. I checked my oil again this morning and I've used just over half a litre during the weekend.

I've done about 700 miles now since the rebuild. Should I be worried? A few have said I shouldn't....but I can't help it. Please reassure me.......

Edited by daveb500 on Monday 24th May 09:39

[wycoller]

Quinny said:

My thoughts are, that it is quite possible to run a car in too gently

The bores can get glazed, and this can lead to high oil consumption...

Or damaged rings at rebuild nicked oil control ring etc!

[daveb500]

I think the next step is to check the plugs. Presumably, if all plugs are the same, then most likely to be running in. If one plug is oiled then not such a good sign.

[v8 racing]

I would definitely start giving the rings a hard time to try and bed them in properly, the way i run the engines in is, drive down the road in third gear and from 1500rpm, open the throttle fully and accelerate through to 4500, back of and and repeat about 15 times, the rings should be about bedded in after this.

[daveb500]

Ok, thanks. I think I will give the plugs a quick check first to make sure there is nothing "inconsistent" going on and then try your method.

[daveb500]

I checked the plugs. Quite sooty so it's obviously running rich but no signs of anything suspect on any one cylinder.

So I've now tried the "blitz" method. In fact, I tried it twice. The result? It's the same. I assume that if it's still burning lots of oil now, it isn't going to right itself.

Out of interest, I got somebody to follow me and it is producing visible smoke, mainly just after deceleration (as you get back on the throttle).

So it looks like the heads are going to have to come off for further investigation.

Is there anything else I can do before I do that? I assume not.

[daveb500]

Thanks Quinny. I've just been reading a thread about setting up the AFM (I have a Bosch replacement) and think I might have done it wrong which could explain the fueling. I'll have a play and then see what happens with the oil.... fingers crossed, I really don't want to have to strip it again, especially as the Growl is fast approaching.....

[spend]

I wouldn't start over worrying whilst you are still running on the mineral oil, as long as you have given it enough beans to bed the rings.

[daveb500]

So on a serp engine with cats removed, what could be causing over fueling? (I'm still running the cat map.)

- AFM set-up / fault (I've got a Bosch AFM with the "trimmer" down by the ECU).
- air leak?
- Fuel pressure?

anything else?

I've checked the throttle pot but still need to do the base idle set-up. But I assume this wouldn't cause over fueling.

It could probably do with a good rr session but I want to get the basics right before I do that.

[Targarama]

Why don't you call the engine builders and ask them to be sure you're running it in correctly? I assume they are warranting their work to some extent?

Definitely get a remap once the car is run in.

[spend]

Air/Fuel IS NOT consistent across all cylinders whatever you may think, TVR maps err on the side of safety to cater for this phenomena (read slight overfuelling). Be careful not to confuse this 'normal' behaviour with a fault

[daveb500]

Targarama said:

Why don't you call the engine builders and ask them to be sure you're running it in correctly? I assume they are warranting their work to some extent?

Definitely get a remap once the car is run in.

Because the engine builder was me

[daveb500]

spend said:

Air/Fuel IS NOT consistent across all cylinders whatever you may think, TVR maps err on the side of safety to cater for this phenomena (read slight overfuelling). Be careful not to confuse this 'normal' behaviour with a fault

When I pulled all the plugs out, they were ALL sooty. Some slightly more than others but it was fairly consistent. There is also some black smoke under acceleration.

Just wondering if it's worth me popping to the local garage (2 minutes away) to get a CO reading....but what is a good reading for a cat car (with no cats )?

Edited by daveb500 on Monday 14th June 17:47

[Targarama]

daveb500 said:

Targarama said:

Why don't you call the engine builders and ask them to be sure you're running it in correctly? I assume they are warranting their work to some extent?

Definitely get a remap once the car is run in.

Because the engine builder was me

Ah, I thought it was TVR Power.

[daveb500]

So, what is a good CO reading for a cat car (with no cats)?

And what things should I check?
- AFM set-up / fault (I've got a Bosch AFM with the "trimmer" down by the ECU).
- air leak?
- Fuel pressure?
- Other?