oil problems

Alvin · #1 (**permalink**) 06-08-2005, 06:30 AM

Hey all
l was just cleaning my Cobra and notice that the oil level was every low!!!!!! The engine has been rebuilt and has no signs of leaks? While driving the car it shows no whiteish smoke. So if anyone has any suggestion on what it could be, please help meee.

Also noticed that the exhaust bolts were loose so l tighten them up. Could this be one of the problems

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-08-2005, 06:45 AM

Alvin,

How many miles on the car after changing the oil and are you sure it was full to begin with. I doubt if loose exhaust bolts would run the oil down so low. Pull the plugs and look for signs of oil fouling. If they are clean, then make sure it is full, log the mileage and drive it for a few miles and check your level again. In the rebuild did you change oil pans? If so then possibly your dip stick isn't going to the bottom of the new pan. If it just has a few miles on it and that much oil was going into the cylinders, you should be seeing smoke. Try going down a hill in 2nd or 3rd gear on compression and then at the bottom punch it and watch for any smoke.

Ron

DonC · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2005, 08:39 AM

You might want to insert and remove the dip stick a couple of times and rotate it in a couple of different directions. If mine isn't inserted just right it only shows oil on the very tip indicating I'm down to about a quart out of 8. The first time it happened it scared the snot out of me.
DonC

Excaliber · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2005, 10:04 AM

With a new motor thats not so uncommon. Often there are no signs of "smoke", the plugs are clean and nice, everything is fine. Rings and what not just haven't fully seated yet is my guess. Any signs of oil under the car on the pan or around the back of the engine? Even a VERY small leak over time will drop enough oil to go low.

Like a SLIGHT leak around the oil pan drain plug will leak out a couple of quarts within a few weeks. Those tiny leaks can be deceiving in how much oil they will loose.

trularin · #5 (**permalink**) 06-08-2005, 01:15 PM

Ernie make a good point, I was concerned over a quart loss until I noticed the amount under the oil pan drain plug. It barely drips, but over time, it adds up.

If the engine is new, it will burn a quart in break-in. Sometimes more.

Alvin · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2005, 02:36 AM

thanks all
ron61 I will try that little trick and see if any smoke in evident.

DonC tried that and made a slight differents.

Excaliber good point, I will try to get the car on a hoist and look over it with a fine comb.

Thanks all again

Eljaro · #7 (**permalink**) 06-09-2005, 05:02 AM

Hi Alvin,
if your oil pan has a windage tray, either additional to the pan or incorporated, it is possible that the dipstick slips over its edge and pushes over its surface away from the pan. It happened to me and I had to make a cutout in the windage tray to free up the dipstick trayectory.
Maybe your oil is ok, only your dipstick is showing low oil because it does no reach the oil.

Alvin · #8 (**permalink**) 06-21-2005, 04:58 AM

thanks all
under normal driving conditions how long will it take to bed in the piston rings?

And how much oil will it drink while bedding the rings ?

I just empty the oil pan and refilled it with 5 litres of oil. I will try and logged the KMs l do..

justbetter · #9 (**permalink**) 06-21-2005, 05:39 AM

may be i can help...

Is the leak just under the FORD logo ???

Theres your problem

PCC · #10 (**permalink**) 06-21-2005, 06:09 AM

Hey Garrett,

Here we go again!

Who's leading a certain championship by 81 points and oh who is second? Not a Holden!

And while I'm on, how's the cricket going old boy?

I'm on a roll

Ron61 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-21-2005, 06:16 AM

Garrett,

Is it really true that you Chevy guys just stop your oil leaks by slapping on Duct Tape until you hit the spot???

Ron

justbetter · #12 (**permalink**) 06-22-2005, 09:43 PM

What only two reply's...

Should have used a bigger stick !

capfel · #13 (**permalink**) 06-22-2005, 09:52 PM

Is your oil pressure measured in Kg's or lbs? cm's or inches?

Maybe the problem is litre's vs. quarts.

Chuck

vettestr · #14 (**permalink**) 06-25-2005, 07:03 PM

Chebbies and Harleys do not leak oil, that are just marking their spots!
The average ring will seat or be bedded in 1/2 hour or less of run time. BUT there are many ring types and even finish or grit honed will alter seating time. Verify proper fill level and readings. Multi Vescosity oil will be consumed at higher rate than a straight weight and do not use SYNTHETIC lubricants during break in period.
How old or new is engine? What oil is being used? How much over what period or run time did level go down? Not being a wise gut but are you sure it was full at first reading and sure it is now down? Oil cooler T-stat could have opened and filled lines for first time as just 1 possible answer. Refill/check and drive again while checking very close would be my 2 cents worth of help. Give us more details second time and will try to help you guess what or why. Enjoy your Toy !

Tony Radford · #15 (**permalink**) 06-26-2005, 05:26 AM

When I purchased my stroker, the piston rings lasted a few hundred miles before they were worn away. My carb was so rich, it washed the oil off of the cylinders and caused premature wear. It if persists, have a leak-down test performed and take it from there. My engine was burning a quart per 100 miles and it wasn't smoking. I tried everything for 3,000 miles before I finally took it back for disassembly. I know of others that had a similar problem. If the level is dropping fast and there aren't any puddles, it's got to be going somewhere (and there aren't many possibilities).