Breathing heavy

[gatewright 4]

My recently aquired 1970 1600 deluxe despite sounding good and pulling well, 94k original miles, us breathing heavily from oil filler , it has been sat for quite a few years , do you think it may be glazed and i could get away with changing rings , ends and honing, also oil light takes a moment longer to go out on first start up than i would like, 2 to 3 seconds, goes out straight away on start ups when warm.

[DHV571D 16]

Needs a full and proper rebuild, bores don't wear round so new rings would be waste of time. If that engine has done 94k then that's a lot for a crossflow.

[GhiaMk4/5 207]

I use to have a girl friend that breathed heavy, I thought I was doing a good job, turned out she had asthma !!!!

I know above is completely irrelevant and I hope it doesn't offend anyone with asthma.

[dgo 80]

A few thoughts before thinking rebuild:

1. Check compressions

2. I would think the valve stem seals need replacing

3. Check and clean out the breather and especially the PCV valve.

 

Crossflows usually breathe hard, are you losing oil from the dipstick tube?

 

 

[gatewright 4]

I will do a compression test to find out , I have cleaned the Pcv valve, if I take dip stick out and rev engine quite hard oil will come out of dip stick hole but doesn’t with dipstick in place, valve stem seals would not cause heavy breathing I thought !, or should I change then as a precaution as been standing for a long time.

thanks,

alan

[sheffieldcortinacentre 750]

I'd have thought bore wear at that mileage as said that's slot for a xflow, 50/60thou was normal for engines of that period to need a rebuild.

[DHV571D 16]

16 hours ago, gatewright said:

I will do a compression test to find out , I have cleaned the Pcv valve, if I take dip stick out and rev engine quite hard oil will come out of dip stick hole but doesn’t with dipstick in place, valve stem seals would not cause heavy breathing I thought !, or should I change then as a precaution as been standing for a long time.

thanks,

alan

 

Compression test will probably only be 20 psi down, but enough to cause breathing. Valve stem seals would cause exhaust smoke, buts that's all, cannot cause crankcase pressure (Breathing).

[gatewright 4]

Don’t seem to be smoking so maybe stem seals are ok, I suppose only way to check is head off and check bores, are bores always worn to oval or is it possible I could get away with honing and new rings

[mk2sav 42]

My Gt engine was taken to the engine shop with a set of plus 20 pistons - it was on about 65000 from new and he said "your pistons arent big enough mate " , the bore being so oval in the main part of the bore it needed the next size up so like most have said , you will be lucky to get away with rings . Steve.

[gatewright 4]

Thanks Steve,

I will have a look but seems probably need to do a full job,

any recommendations in the essex area.

[mk2 addict 7]

My 1500 super does the same. It's like a steam train out of the filler hole haha. 

 

Full rebuild on the cards when I have funds (baby on the way so that's never!)

[GhiaMk4/5 207]

"steam train" is a good description, gapping the rings on a rebuild/rebore is really key, it sais so on YouTube, so it must be right!!!!

[gatewright 4]

Thanks. I look forward to opening her up and having a look around. Maybe waire until winter