FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Technical Board => General Technical => Topic started by: Rabbitoh on March 27, 2008, 10:20:20 AM



Title: Oil spray from crankcase breather pipe ('walking stick')
Post by: Rabbitoh on March 27, 2008, 10:20:20 AM
Any suggestions from the mechanically minded (or someone who has had the same problem with their Grey) as to why I am spraying engine oil at highway speeds out my car's breather pipe?
Didn't know I had this problem untill the trip to and from the Nats.


Title: Re: Oil spray from crankcase breather pipe ('walking stick')
Post by: Ed on March 27, 2008, 10:26:27 AM
Hey there Rabbitoh,

Didnt realise that was you with the FE wagon!

Engine oil is blowing by your oil control rings, it's a condition known as "blow by".

A rebuild with fresh rings usually fixes this.

Cheers

Ed



Title: Re: Oil spray from crankcase breather pipe ('walking stick')
Post by: Rabbitoh on March 27, 2008, 11:50:46 AM
Thanks Ed, yeah it was me.
Just needed to hear the grim news again I guess :-\


Title: Re: Oil spray from crankcase breather pipe ('walking stick')
Post by: Ed on March 27, 2008, 12:05:27 PM
Hey Rabbitoh,

only 2 Nats later it clicks. lol

I know how you feel having been there before.

On the bright side, once you rebuild the motor you can get rid of your fibre timing gear and motor on for years to come. Think how easy the drive to Orange will be in 2 years time! 

if you dont want to go down this route just yet maybe throw in a "rebuild in a bottle" to see if it eases your pain and some heavier weight oil (25W).  Couldn't possibly harm things right?

Cheers

Ed









Title: Re: Oil spray from crankcase breather pipe ('walking stick')
Post by: thee on March 28, 2008, 04:57:36 PM
check top breather is not chocked up


Title: Re: Oil spray from crankcase breather pipe ('walking stick')
Post by: FEHOLDEN on March 28, 2008, 10:24:24 PM
Gidday Rabbitoh

Followed you home for some of the way. You were blowing some serious smoke which appeared to be coming from under the car rather than from exhaust pipe. Sorry to hear it sounds serious.


Denis


Title: Re: Oil spray from crankcase breather pipe ('walking stick')
Post by: EffCee on March 29, 2008, 08:36:29 AM
It is possible to cut the breather and run a hose back into the engine. This wouldn't fix the problem but would reduce the amount of smoke. I did this on an FC I once had. I cut the breather off and used a heater hose from an XW Falcon (had the right bend) and fitted a PCV valve at the end I then took out the vacuum fitting in the intake manifold and connected a fitting to suit and the connected a hose between inlet manifold and PCV valve. I can't remember for certain but I think that I had to enlarge the vacuum port into the intake manifold.

The correct solution would be a strip down and check the rings, pistons etc for any damage and repair what damaged components you find. With any luck you haven't damaged any of the bores.


Title: Re: Oil spray from crankcase breather pipe ('walking stick')
Post by: Rabbitoh on March 29, 2008, 04:23:32 PM
Thanks for those helpful suggestions guys.
If anyone knows of a savvy engine guy in Melbourne area who is not scared of working with 50 year old greys, I would be grateful for his contact details.


Title: Re: Oil spray from crankcase breather pipe ('walking stick')
Post by: mcl1959 on March 29, 2008, 09:19:35 PM
Rabbitoh, we had a trade night there - remember :P

Ken


Title: Re: Oil spray from crankcase breather pipe ('walking stick')
Post by: Rabbitoh on March 31, 2008, 11:54:52 AM
Hi Ken,
must have missed that one ???.
Refresh my memory please.
Chris


Title: Re: Oil spray from crankcase breather pipe ('walking stick')
Post by: mcl1959 on March 31, 2008, 01:56:16 PM
I think the name was Speedwell performance - The Blacks had their motor built there so you could ask them what they thought of the job

Ken


Title: Re: Oil spray from crankcase breather pipe ('walking stick')
Post by: pedro on April 01, 2008, 12:30:26 PM
If your engine is getting on in miles/k's keep an eye on your oil pressure light, if it takes a while to go out or if the engine knocks a bit when you start it, your bearings could also be worn and losing pressure,
i have had this happen a few times and even put a rod through the side of the block twice trying to make it home ( one was in an austin A40).I left Melbourne with what i thought was a sound engine, when i got to Ballarat it was starting to knock a bit, by the time i got to the south aust. border i could only do 40k's an hour and it sounded like someone was hammering something to death under the bonnet, i only had a few k's to go when it went bang and i was left hitchhiking.