Oily Smell

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Tim Leech
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Oily Smell

Post by Tim Leech »

TZI smells a bit of oil on first start up, Ive checked the breathers (the gauze out the top of the filler is missing) and they are clear and theres no blue smoke. Shes done 90k, do you think it could be old age?
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jonathan_dyane
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Post by jonathan_dyane »

At a guess I would say the valve stem seals have hardened, allowing some oil to drain into the cylinders when the engine is stopped; get an assistant to start the car while you watch the exhaust for a puff of smoke.

If this is the case, personally I wouldn't intervene until the car starts smoking on overrun/when you change gear.
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Post by Kitch »

It's probably oil Tim
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Re: Oily Smell

Post by kiwi »

Roverman wrote:TZI smells a bit of oil on first start up, Ive checked the breathers (the gauze out the top of the filler is missing) and they are clear and theres no blue smoke. Shes done 90k, do you think it could be old age?
I reckon you answered you question there!
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Post by prm »

Have you checked the wire gauze mesh under the plastic internal filler neck, where it narrows down?
I think?? your TZI filler tube is the same as a 16v.

To make up a spare top gauze, a pad of coarse wire wool surrounded by chicken wire to hold in place may help.

Ideally the gauze should be in place, as this interrupts the air flow and should attract most of the oil mist present and hopefully return any droplets to the sump.

If possible, (can’t quite remember the tapings on a TZI inlet manifold). Remove a hose/? Or any plug, and probe the lower section of the manifold with stiff electrical cable to see if there is any black sludge. Can build up over the years, especially on short trips.

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Post by Kitch »

I always thought the purpose of the gauze was to catch emulsified (sp?) oil and prevent it from re-entering the oil/breathers? AFAIK no oil is actually supposed to enter it, only the vapours/moisture?

Either way, I've run the valver for about 3 years without as it practically disintergrated. No hint of smoke/smells of oil and plenty of mayo :lol: Rocker cover on the other hand....arsehole. Always leaks onto the manifold, must be warped!

Does it smell of oil, oil burning on something hot or oil being mixed with fuel, burnt and being spat out the back end?
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Post by Tim Leech »

It smells of burning oil Kitch, yet theres no apparent smoke.
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Post by Tim Leech »

Double post sorry!
Last edited by Tim Leech on Tue Nov 24, 2009 4:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by sdelasal »

burning oil smell ==> Oil leak, dripping onto exhaust manifold or down pipe?
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Last edited by sdelasal on Sun Nov 22, 2009 11:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by kiwi »

A likely source of external oil leakage that may not be apparent when it drips on to the exhaust Manifold is the lower part of the dipstick.

Worth a look before assuming the worse case scenarios!
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Post by Kitch »

kiwi wrote:A likely source of external oil leakage that may not be apparent when it drips on to the exhaust Manifold is the lower part of the dipstick.

Worth a look before assuming the worse case scenarios!
The lower part of the dipstick is midway down the front of the block (as you look at it). The exhaust manifold is on the back of the head at the top. Am I missing something?

I'd guess either rocker cover gasket at the back, a breather blowing vapour onto something hot or one or the O/S driveshaft seal leaking gear oil onto the corner of the downpipe.
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Post by Philip Chidlow »

I had a similar problem with the Fiat. It was a leaking rocker cover gasket, putting oil onto the exhaust manifold.
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Post by kiwi »

edit
Last edited by kiwi on Wed Nov 25, 2009 9:35 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Post by jonathan_dyane »

kiwi wrote:Yea you are the dipstick
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Post by MULLEY »

I think you've misread Kiwi's post, there's probably a comma missing in a strategic spot :?: Without it, it does read rather different.
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