GT-Four Oil Burn Problem

[Jon Wild]

If I had any hair left I would tear it out

Proud owner of a '93 GT-Four about a year ago approx 140,000 on the clock engine showing signs of wear and tear and so had a full engine strip by UK Based Sports Manufacture TVR, new pistons, raised cams.....basically the lot. One of the problems I had prior to all this was the car was eating oil and I have probably kept a small middle eastern nation in business given the amout of money I spent on the stuff.

Finally after a year have finally got the engine back in and after troubleshooting broken engine sensors and detatched pipes have managed to take it for spin.

Oil light.......grrrrrrrr........filled her up again.....low and behold the engine eats the stuff by the gallon and billows white and blue clouds and asphixiates unsuspecting pedestrians from a thousand yards. When enough oil consumed.....which is around about empty the smoke stops. Now this is not a blown gasket, piston rings and all the usual suspects....that much I know.

Before I go and murder a few mechanics has anyone got any idea what the cause of this could be.

Am currently £4000 the lighter and seemingly no better off.

Help !!!!!

[d.b.]

Check out your turbo seals. If they are bad, you're sucking oil into the engine.

[Pineapple]

Valve seal? So you got good compression in all cylinder?
Could be turbo seal leaking oil into exhaust directly.

[Jon Wild]

Thanks for the replies. Car going back to TVR. Did 2 litres of oil in one day. However no oil found in turbo albeit underperforming......depressed and severely P&*$$£d off that no mechanic could diagnose this prior to undertaking rebuild. (Engine ejected by another team and shipped to TVR for rebuild and shipped back for refit)........If turbo the culprit having eradicated engine wear by rebuild then not unlike a stork I see an enourmous bill in front of me..........Have been driving my mothers Toyota Yarris 850cc for last year....besides the embarrassment of being overtaken by funeral processions and energetic snails have obviously become unaccustomed to the kick of a turbo............any UK bods out there........give me a reliable source for new or recon Twin Ceramic Turbo for a ST185.........failing that Spam email for Prozac is becoming an attractive alternative....................................ooo oo some razorblades

[markpc]

Just a little bit too late but here goes. You have had a lot done to the engine have you made sure all is setup correctly? Blue smoke from the exhaust is usually unburned fuel, White is water in the cylinder and black smoke is oil. The problem could have been a head gasket. Just wondering have you had the CPU set up to match the engine upgrade as this could explain the blue smoke.

[Jon Wild]

Engine management has not been adjusted for new cams...this was something to be addressed in the future. However have been assured that although this would be beneficial it would not cause the problems that I am experiencing i.e 2 litre oil consumption in a day. Unless you can tell me any differently.......

It is frustrating to say the least. Still awaiting a date to get the car back in the garage. I'm no mechanic however through a process of elimination i.e. no oil in the turbo, no leaking oil, engine rebuild to address pistons, gaskets etc....i am still left scratching my head. The turbo is not functioning as I would expect....whether this is symptomatic of a faulty turbo or of engine management I dont know but still doesn't answer the oil burning issue.......

Will keep you posted when I know......meanwhile anyone wishing to donate to the Save My Sanity Appeal please forward your cheques and cash to to Jon Wild, Birmingham, UK

Cheers