Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 14 October 2009, 21:53:15

Title: Astra breather test results
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 14 October 2009, 21:53:15
Well, I disconnected the breathers from the inlet.

At first, I couldn't see it smoking, so thought my luck was in.

Unfortunately though, after a drive, and then a period of idle, she smokes like a good'un still when you give her a rev.

so it's not likely breathers as we so hopefully thought  :-/

Sod it - shall I bite the bullet and take it to bits again .

Got a gen-GM set of rings on the mantlepeice anyhow.. . :-X
Title: Re: Astra breather test results
Post by: feeutfo on 14 October 2009, 23:34:08
over what period are we talking, with the breathers off? If its been sucking oil through for ages would it not need a while to clear the exhaust etc?
Title: Re: Astra breather test results
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 15 October 2009, 08:26:24
How prey tell, could you think it would be the breathers if it they were not blocked?

Title: Re: Astra breather test results
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 15 October 2009, 12:28:17
Not knowing the engine too well, just wanted to rule it out entirely, before I start ripping it apart  :y

It's just got to be the rings. Hasn't it?  :-/
Title: Re: Astra breather test results
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 15 October 2009, 13:05:56
Remember that the breathers do a VERY basic function.

If they were blocked then the crank case could pressurise and oil could blow past the rings....but there not.

Running with them disconnected is not ideal as under normal operation (and thanks to the breathers), the crank case runs at a slight vaccum  :y

Have you tried (and I hate them but, its worth a go), a heavy engine flush.

Its also worth considering running the lump at 2-3rpm with the small breather dumped into a bottle of forte fuel treatment.

Both of these will give a heavy clean out (the fuel treatment cleaning the top end) and may un-stick any stuck rings.
Title: Re: Astra breather test results
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 15 October 2009, 13:15:19
Hi Mark

Didn't run for long with them disconnected, just a little test :y

Regarding the engine flush, I also hate them. I did a basic one with a can of wynnes, but that's it.

How do you recommend heavy flushing?

I might also add - the engine oil gets VERY black, VERY quickly, even shortly after several oil and filter changes...

Do you think the flush, if it works, would be a long-lasting repair, or, would I be better longer term stripping it down and inspecting the pistons, etc?
Title: Re: Astra breather test results
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 15 October 2009, 13:15:49
By the way, thanks for your input  :y
Title: Re: Astra breather test results
Post by: Entwood on 15 October 2009, 14:21:42
This might be worth a thought .... years back we used to "un-gunge" dirty engines by taking out all the plugs and putting a couple of tablespoons of brakefluid (or other hydraulic fluid .. when I was in the RAF OM15 was a good option!!) into each cylinder and leaving to stand for 24 hours. Crank over a few times to blow out any excess, refit and start up. Expect a lot of smoke !!! Run until warm then do an oil change.

The theory was the hydraulic fluid softened up any gunge and would clean the top end and rings. the oil change was incase any got past the rings into the oil.

Was better than the old "redex decoke" that annoyed the neighbours to hell .. but didn't achieve much !!

 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Astra breather test results
Post by: feeutfo on 15 October 2009, 18:57:26
Quote
How prey tell, could you think it would be the breathers if it they were not blocked?

In the same way some bikes dump their oil into the air box when over filled(ok, very differant set up i know), and in the same way v6's fill the plenum, on rare occassions, with mayo if the head gaskit fails, as has been mentioned on here 2 or 3 times, and in the same way that all that black oily muck coats the plenum and the back of the throttle body.

To me, it doesn't seem too much of a step further, if the breathers are clear, to draw more oil than it should, and feed all four pots very similar amounts of oil to give the same ott compression readings.


Please note, before we get jumped on again, that it was initially mentioned , either on this thread or another of James's, as a theory, to help in absence of any other thoughts.

Cheers



Title: Re: Astra breather test results
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 15 October 2009, 18:59:11
All thoughts are welcome and appreciated chaps  :y

I've come to the conclusion it absolutely must be gummed rings, maybe due to running on LPG all it's life....