The Amazing Disappearing Lubricant.

Chlorate · Unread post by **Chlorate** » 11 Feb 2011, 00:46

Me again. Apparently my car has learned a new trick.

200 or so miles after camshaft repair, everything seems to be running smoothly.

Or at least it seemed to be...

This morning on the way to a friend's house my oil light flashed (the red oil can one) whilst going around a couple of tight corners. Checked the oil level later when I was going to go home and there was almost none in there.

I did an oil change in late October and the car was off the road through December.

So essentially 5 litres of oil has disappeared without a trace in 3 months.

It doesn't leave puddles where it's parked (not that I've noticed anyway), the cam seal is fine, the crank seal was fine when I had the bottom cover off not long ago and all I can see of the valve cover is fine and I haven't got a slick or mayonnaise in my radiator.

So that just leaves exhaust...
Perhaps my little timing belt incident did more of a number on my head than I thought, damaged valve guide or stem seal maybe? But then again it runs fine and all the valves passed the screwdriver test.. And I haven't noticed it smoking any more than usual (although its hard to tell from the driver's seat).

Or is it something to do with the fact I'm running veggie now...

My friend was kind enough to donate a can he had sitting around, bunged a couple of litres in for the journey home (about 25 miles), will check to see how much is left in the morning, with any luck the leak is a slow one.

Any thoughts or insights would be appreciated.

Sigh, it's just one thing after another. Really don't want to take the bleedin' head off again

Many thanks in advance.

-Alex

p.s.
XUD9 turbo etc etc etc etc

Edit :

Chlorate wrote: Hehe all the work I've done to this beast, it'll have to be creative if it wants to break something again...

Probably shouldn't have provoked it there...

Unread post by **citroenxm** » 11 Feb 2011, 07:41

It certainly shouldn't be a guide or seal, if the valves moved freely when pushed down then there should be no guide damage...

Ive not had an oil issue after a cam break before now.. it sounds simmilar to a problem I had on an XM TCT Turbo Petrol... oil misteriously disapreared, I only cured it by fitting another engine!

Paul

Chlorate · Unread post by **Chlorate** » 11 Feb 2011, 11:37

The mystery is solved.

Had a peek around with a torch - camshaft seal is wonky.

Apparently I'm a berk.

Ah well, not a difficult fix.

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 11 Feb 2011, 12:03

good news Alex.. we've all done similar

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 11 Feb 2011, 21:25

Good news indeed, and the feeling of being a berk is very pleasant compared to the feeling of having a terminaly dead car

D

Chlorate · Unread post by **Chlorate** » 11 Feb 2011, 23:26

Haha yes, perhaps the only time I shall be happy to see oil leaking from my car:
"Oh thank naughty word! It's only a seal somewhere"

Was having horrible visions of having to take the whole thing to bits to mend it..which I don't have the time or facilities to do really.

Luckily it only took 20 minutes to mend

Seems the oil level sensor in my car is on the blink.