Oil Usages

[rfitzpatrick]

I'm using excessive engine oil. My compression is 50 psi each cylinder.
What up?
Tks

[nkaminar]

Burning it I assume, or is it leaking out when driving? If you are burning it, it could be worn valve stems/guides.

What color is your exhaust when you goose the engine and when coming to a stop? If the exhaust is clear then you have a leak somewhere. If you get blue-gray exhaust when coming to a stop or going down a grade then you are sucking it past the rings.

What condition are the plugs? Are they covered in oil or carbon? If they are covered in oil then you are burning the oil.

[midgetracer]

Sounds like ring problems. Compression is quite low.

[nkaminar]

I guess another question is: How many miles or years on the engine? Is the car new to you and the miles on the engine unknown? Does the engine seem tired with loss of power? What does the oil look like? If you stir a magnet into the drained oil, does it pick up steel particles?

A little more information needed. Inquiring minds want to know.

[johnneilson]

There really isn't much information to work with here
But, to me it sounds like a condition where the rings are gummed up in the pistons and not freely sealing.
Take this for what it is, just a suggestion.
I have had really good success by adding a qt of autotrans fluid to the motor oil and driving very easy on the motor. No lugging or high speed attempts, but you must get the motor up to temp. 20-30 minutes of run time is all needed, then do an oil change.

Best, John

[WHN]

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Are using High Detergent oil? What weight oil are you using?

In the past when I have gotten a new to me Model A I have always done this.

Add Marvel Mystery Oil to gas. Changed oil using 20w-50 HD oil with one 16oz bottle of blue STP.

Give it a try. $20.00’s could solve your problem.

Enjoy.

[rfitzpatrick]

Wow! Lost my codes for a while.
1. If I goose the engine -- blue/black smoke out the exhaust. (only time)
2. Plugs are cover with carbon.
3. Owned for 5 years, engine milage unknown.
4. No steel on oil plug magnetic
5. Castro GTX 20.50
6. MMO in the gas tank.

Will do bottle STP next
TKS Guys

[WHN]

Originally Posted by rfitzpatrick

Wow! Lost my codes for a while.
1. If I goose the engine -- blue/black smoke out the exhaust. (only time)
2. Plugs are cover with carbon.
3. Owned for 5 years, engine milage unknown.
4. No steel on oil plug magnetic
5. Castro GTX 20.50
6. MMO in the gas tank.

Will do bottle STP next
TKS Guys

Use the STP as the last half quart when changing oil. Four quarts of oil, one blue bottle of STP. That will give you the needed four and one half quarts.

Good jack.

[nkaminar]

Thanks for getting back to us. From your description, blue/black smoke out the exhaust, carbon on the plugs, it is burning the oil. Could be rings but also could be loose clearance between the valves and their guides. Do a leak down test to see if the rings are the cause. If the rings are leaking you can hear a hissing noise at the oil filler tube during the leak down test. Take the valve cover off and see if you can wiggle any valves that are up off their seats. Rotate the engine and check other valves.

If you want to dive deeper, take the head off and see how much the pistons move near their top dead center position. With the head off it will be easier to wiggle any valves that are off their seats.

In 1950 the shop would do a ring and valve job. If you decide to go that route, you can also tighten up the bearings at the same time.

[rfitzpatrick]

[QUOTE=nkaminar;2205664]Thanks for getting back to us.

OK, this is my other problem -- our Club Mechanic moved to Arizona, but I've
got the money and arthritis. Trying to find some place in South Florida that I can hire. I know my limits.
TKS

[nkaminar]

I see your problem. There are usually more than one person in a club that is a grease monkey. I would ask around. Maybe do a Google search in your area for a shop that specializes in antique engines.

Arizona is not a bad place to live. Maybe you can just follow your mechanic there. Far less hurricanes.

[rfitzpatrick]

Arizona is not a bad place to live. Maybe you can just follow your mechanic there. Far less hurricanes.[/QUOTE]


My real problem is I'll be 81 this Summer. My experience is that's it's more than just a 'Number'.

[nkaminar]

We just got back from 5 months in Arizona. The dry air seemed to be good for my arthritis. My knee is hurting again since we are back in North Carolina. I am 78. I was sort of kidding but it is something to think about.

My physical therapist gave me a list of exercises to do which has helped more than the pain medication. One was riding the bike.

[daveymc29]

I fall down just walking, thought about riding the bike again but then remember the fear of falling was the reason I sold my Goldwing and Harley Davidson. Of course I don't wand to fall from anything, not even my roadster, slow as it is.

Dave Mc Arthur

[WHN]

Getting old is hell! At 6’ 5” and 250 pounds it was always a problem getting into the 29 Sport Coupe I had for 43 years.

Than the sciatica really got bad. If I got into the car, I couldn’t get out. Forget working the pedals.

Than your eyes get worse. Your fingers lose feeling. Changed the oil and couldn’t get out from under the car! Forget a grease job. Change the battery, no way.

After 60 plus years of Model A’s, there all gone none.

Please enjoy yours while you still can.

Haze Gray and Underway.

[rfitzpatrick]

Well, this site keeps losing my log-on. Anyway a bottle of STP in the crankcase was a disappointment. It changed nothing. I'v found a shop that works Classic Cars, so maybe I'v found some help
Thanks Guys

[nkaminar]

Sorry the STP did not magically cure your oil burning. But it sounds like you have some good news that you found someone to work on your car. Depending on your wants and needs for the car, you may want to consider a Burtz engine. It is sometimes less expensive than a complete overhaul and, after it is installed, you can drive your car across the USA without worry. But if you are just planning local trips and the engine just needs a ring and valve job, then that will be the way to go. Good luck.

[rfitzpatrick]

Depending on your wants and needs for the car, you may want to consider a Burtz engine.


YES, I just found out a Club Members received his Burtz Engine about three months ago. But he's not even built it up !! That's something for me to think about --
Interesting
TKS

[John]

OK, I will ask here what is excessive oil usage? I do this because Volvo recently published data claiming that up to a quart in about 600 miles isn't considered excessive oil consumption by their standards and would not qualify for repairs under factory warranty. Several other modern automobile manufacturers have a similar standard. By my standards, it is extremely excessive for a modern car. It appears that is a trade-off the manufacturers have made to increase miles per gallon efficiency.

John

[rfitzpatrick]

Originally Posted by John

OK, I will ask here what is excessive oil usage?
John

A gallon between oil changes is my experience. Way pasted "excessive"