Oil consumption

["Korolyshyn, Dan Mr. DAC DPW ENGR RESOURCE MGMT BR" <Dan.Korolyshyn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bruce,

I had similar symptoms with my "74" Spider. I checked the compression
and it was good.  Nevertheless, it would, on hard acceleration, spout some
black smoke and the oil comsupmtion was one quart every 300 miles or so.
When we pulled the engine out for an overhaul/modification, it turned out 
that the rear oil seal was shot which was the reason for the oil consumption

and the black smoke was from the Dellorto floats being out of adjustment and

not shutting off properly; which also was the reason for the poor gas
consumtion.  If the smoke out the exhaust had been blue then that would have
been an indication of either worn out rings or valve guides and seals.

Dan K.

P.S. The engine was just put back into the car yesterday afternoon and
should
be ready by next week sometime as the Alfa shop is quite busy right now.
Two additional problems were discovered just before engine completion, the 
trans input shaft had some excessive play and there was a very small crack
in
the exhaust manifold at the #4 piston flange.  Amazing how many problems are

discovered during an engine overhaul.


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Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2003 09:43:32 -0400
From: "Giller,Bruce C." <bgiller@domain.elided>
Subject: oil consumption

	My GTV has suddenly developed an overwhelming thirst for oil -
something to the tune of 1 quart every 100 miles or so.  Whereas before
all this, it was quite normal, 1 quart per 1000, for a recently rebuilt
engine (would be less if the SPICA pump didn't leak as much as it does).
 And I've been getting some blackish smoke out the tailpipe occasionally
when I accelerate - but not every time - which is also new.

	I think that I've found the culprit, a serious leak at the
headgasket
line just underneath the #4 exhaust outlet.  Does this sound like the
headgasket failed, or that one of the oil O-rings failed and the
pressure has pumped the oil into #4 cylinder (accounting for the
blackish smoke) and of the block??

	The upshot is that I need a new headgasket and O-rings soon.  But
I'm
not sure when I can find the time.  Anyone have a short term fix such as
apply a glob of gasket sealer to the leak and hope that it will reduce
the leak until I find the time to fix it properly?

	Bruce

	'73 GTV
	'86 Spider

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