Heavy Breathing

[Paul Thomas]

Well friday evening was realy nice when I arrived home so I decided to take the dutton for a run. Done about 40 miles which I realy enjoyed. When I arrive home I could smell oil so I opened the bonnet and was shocked to see oil splaterd over the engine. It had come out the breather on the catch tank, Im thinking  its possably broke a piston ring or they gummed in as the car was not used last year. Looks like I might have to pull the engine out . Dam shame I only just taxed it.

[Adrian Southgate]

You have my sympathies Paul, I know that feeling, mine was the big ends.

Any possibility the tank could have just been full before you went for the run?

[James Doulton]

That is a real pity, I'm sorry to hear it.

Could it be the head gasket leaking gas into the oil ways?

[Dave Adams]

some engines are more prone to the problem than others, (CVH Fords for example) being over full of oil wont help either, as will a blocked engine breather. an incorrect grade of oil for the engine age is also an issue....these modern light weight synthetic oils and old engines really do not play nicely together.

i wouldn't be planning engine out until it it had covered a few extra miles, it just might sort its self. Also dont keep topping oil up to the full mark but keep an eye on it, often some engines will blow out oil to the level it is happy at (some BMW's used to do this) weird i know.

[Adrian Southgate]

Here's hoping its nowt serious Paul.

[1midz0wwbl268]

clean the breather out, and then give the engine a though flushing with flushing oil  to remove any internal muck, change oil filter and put fresh oil in,  if it happens again compession test   to check for gasket ,if you have either a pinto or Crossflow, use a 10/40 mineral oil , not semi sythetic  these engines are not designed to run on these oils 

[James Doulton]

Martin! Pinto or Crossflow! Have you not seen the monster that he's got under the bonnet? But don't look if you are the jealous type. :-)

[James Doulton]

I've seen what he's got and I'm suffering from piston envy!