Nothing to see here, just project Sisyphus, move along
#2181
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...though maybe the engine will take care of that for me? #badjoke #ohgodwhy #whatamIdoingwithmylife?
And it does not, so I'm stupefied.
#2182
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Valve cover is unmodified, 323GTX PCV on the intake side, VTA catch can on the exhaust side. Dipstick stays in its home.
I'm just as boggled as everyone else. If I had to take a wild *** guess, I'd say oil is making it past the valve stem seals while the engine is shut down and super hot. If this is the case, I should see oil on top of the valves when I pull the manifold, no?
How is oil coming out between the manifold and head? That's supposed to be a gas-tight seal, how is oil coming out? Maybe it leaks a bit when cold or something, but...
Got a leak-down tester? If so, I'd do a quickie test with it just to validate the head gasket...
--Ian
#2183
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Ah, OK, when you said VTA breather I was thinking you just had a filter on the breather and it could be dripping from there. If it's a hose to a remote catch can then not so much.
How is oil coming out between the manifold and head? That's supposed to be a gas-tight seal, how is oil coming out? Maybe it leaks a bit when cold or something, but...
Got a leak-down tester? If so, I'd do a quickie test with it just to validate the head gasket...
--Ian
How is oil coming out between the manifold and head? That's supposed to be a gas-tight seal, how is oil coming out? Maybe it leaks a bit when cold or something, but...
Got a leak-down tester? If so, I'd do a quickie test with it just to validate the head gasket...
--Ian
Check the mixing manifold, its being dripped on from the top. There are similar drips below each exhaust port on the side of the block. No way you are pushing oil past the valve stem seals while under power unless I had an absolutely ridiculous amount of blow-by, literally enough to overpower the exhaust back pressure. If that were the case I'd think that would manifest itself in other ways.
Valve cover is unmodified, 323GTX PCV on the intake side, VTA catch can on the exhaust side. Dipstick stays in its home.
I'm just as boggled as everyone else. If I had to take a wild *** guess, I'd say oil is making it past the valve stem seals while the engine is shut down and super hot. If this is the case, I should see oil on top of the valves when I pull the manifold, no?
Valve cover is unmodified, 323GTX PCV on the intake side, VTA catch can on the exhaust side. Dipstick stays in its home.
I'm just as boggled as everyone else. If I had to take a wild *** guess, I'd say oil is making it past the valve stem seals while the engine is shut down and super hot. If this is the case, I should see oil on top of the valves when I pull the manifold, no?
#2187
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Didn't you fill with T6?
Not sure how much smoke you're going to see with T6. My MSM's rings were horrible and leaked a lot of oil but I never saw smoke when driving. Only black soot/carbon & condensation coming out of the muffler, and I burned through 1 qt or so a week.
Not sure how much smoke you're going to see with T6. My MSM's rings were horrible and leaked a lot of oil but I never saw smoke when driving. Only black soot/carbon & condensation coming out of the muffler, and I burned through 1 qt or so a week.
Last edited by Girz0r; 10-01-2015 at 04:04 PM.
#2190
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Currently filled with Amsoil Dominator 15w-50
I'm glad 18psi noticed and pointed out the drips super early on, so at least I know this has been there for a while.
#2191
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Agreed. It would be odd.
Currently filled with Amsoil Dominator 15w-50
Tip is carboned up on the inside but I'd suspect that at this point. 18psi said he added a little bit of oil while he had it for the last couple weeks or so, but before this during break-in (Amsoil SAE 30 Break-In Oil followed by Rotella T 15w40, note I did not say T6) it used nothing. I switched to synthetic about 350 miles sooner than I had intended, but it wasn't burning anything and it stopped making metal, and 350 miles should not have been enough to condemn the rings. It's also not currently low, so not 'using' a boatload of oil.
Right, all I'm saying is that a warped flange would be why the oil is escaping at that point. As to how the oil is GETTING there in order to escape is the actual problem.
I'm glad 18psi noticed and pointed out the drips super early on, so at least I know this has been there for a while.
Currently filled with Amsoil Dominator 15w-50
Tip is carboned up on the inside but I'd suspect that at this point. 18psi said he added a little bit of oil while he had it for the last couple weeks or so, but before this during break-in (Amsoil SAE 30 Break-In Oil followed by Rotella T 15w40, note I did not say T6) it used nothing. I switched to synthetic about 350 miles sooner than I had intended, but it wasn't burning anything and it stopped making metal, and 350 miles should not have been enough to condemn the rings. It's also not currently low, so not 'using' a boatload of oil.
Right, all I'm saying is that a warped flange would be why the oil is escaping at that point. As to how the oil is GETTING there in order to escape is the actual problem.
I'm glad 18psi noticed and pointed out the drips super early on, so at least I know this has been there for a while.
#2192
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First thing that happens when I get home tonight is that I pull the plugs, this should tell me something about the rings. I have no missfires at 18psi (226 kPa) with the stock 99/00 coils so I'm guessing the plugs will be dry, and that tells me oil is getting into the exhaust after the cylinder. The only thing this could possibly be is the exhaust valve stem seals.
Does that sound reasonable?
Does that sound reasonable?
#2193
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First thing that happens when I get home tonight is that I pull the plugs, this should tell me something about the rings. I have no missfires at 18psi (226 kPa) with the stock 99/00 coils so I'm guessing the plugs will be dry, and that tells me oil is getting into the exhaust after the cylinder. The only thing this could possibly be is the exhaust valve stem seals.
Does that sound reasonable?
Does that sound reasonable?
Good idea on pulling the plugs.
#2195
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Currently filled with Amsoil Dominator 15w-50
Tip is carboned up on the inside but I'd suspect that at this point. 18psi said he added a little bit of oil while he had it for the last couple weeks or so, but before this during break-in (Amsoil SAE 30 Break-In Oil followed by Rotella T 15w40, note I did not say T6) it used nothing. I switched to synthetic about 350 miles sooner than I had intended, but it wasn't burning anything and it stopped making metal, and 350 miles should not have been enough to condemn the rings. It's also not currently low, so not 'using' a boatload of oil.
Tip is carboned up on the inside but I'd suspect that at this point. 18psi said he added a little bit of oil while he had it for the last couple weeks or so, but before this during break-in (Amsoil SAE 30 Break-In Oil followed by Rotella T 15w40, note I did not say T6) it used nothing. I switched to synthetic about 350 miles sooner than I had intended, but it wasn't burning anything and it stopped making metal, and 350 miles should not have been enough to condemn the rings. It's also not currently low, so not 'using' a boatload of oil.
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Were you already switched to synthetic when you put the manifold on & noticed oil in the exhaust ports?
First thing that happens when I get home tonight is that I pull the plugs, this should tell me something about the rings. I have no missfires at 18psi (226 kPa) with the stock 99/00 coils so I'm guessing the plugs will be dry, and that tells me oil is getting into the exhaust after the cylinder. The only thing this could possibly be is the exhaust valve stem seals.
Does that sound reasonable?
Does that sound reasonable?
![Dunno](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
GL, Post what you find! (I'm taking notes... for my BEGi inevitable fail build)
#2197
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We'll see! I enjoy a good mystery, but not this close to a trackday weekend.
This is a pretty industrial town, I'm sure I can find something somewhere. BUT I will be in touch. The other complication I should mention is that I do not own a compressor.
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#2198
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$20 and it works with a smartphone (need a $5 USB on-the-go adapter too). It's not amazingly-high quality, but for $20 it's worth it.
As for compressors, yeah, that's going to make it harder. A leakdown tester doesn't need much air, you can get by with a little pancake compressor like is commonly used for nail guns.
--Ian
#2199
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Work is crazy so I can't keep up the million pages of back and forth chatter, but:
1) I noticed the leaks within the first 2 seconds of popping the hood when you arrived, so it was there from the beginning, so boost didn't "create" it. So I don't think anything broke, per se.
2) I only added oil after a few days when it went from right on the "full" mark to about 2-3mm lower. It's not chugging oil, at least that I noticed.
3) I think it's valve seals. On startup this happens every once in a blue moon, and after a reallllly long pull, in decel
4) yes the head-to-manifold flange/gasket/surface is 100% leaking. Not sure if exhaust leaking form there too, but clearly it has to be if liquid is getting past it. AT least a little bit.
5) I did top off the coolant once, but it didn't seem to use any after that 1st top off.
ANy other questions text me cause I'm super busy right now and won't be able to keep up with thread (I'll try tho)
1) I noticed the leaks within the first 2 seconds of popping the hood when you arrived, so it was there from the beginning, so boost didn't "create" it. So I don't think anything broke, per se.
2) I only added oil after a few days when it went from right on the "full" mark to about 2-3mm lower. It's not chugging oil, at least that I noticed.
3) I think it's valve seals. On startup this happens every once in a blue moon, and after a reallllly long pull, in decel
4) yes the head-to-manifold flange/gasket/surface is 100% leaking. Not sure if exhaust leaking form there too, but clearly it has to be if liquid is getting past it. AT least a little bit.
5) I did top off the coolant once, but it didn't seem to use any after that 1st top off.
ANy other questions text me cause I'm super busy right now and won't be able to keep up with thread (I'll try tho)