2003 1.8 petrol using lots of oil and smoking when pullind away

Hi nodge,

Since the cat repair, when the oil was last topped up, it has done 500miles and I had to put about a ltr and half in on sunday.
Its going somewhere and not over the drive.

swingy said:

Hi nodge,

Since the cat repair, when the oil was last topped up, it has done 500miles and I had to put about a ltr and half in on sunday.
Its going somewhere and not over the drive.

Click to expand...

That's a lot of oil in such a short distance and almost certainly the reason the cat has failed. The cause needs to be investigated before the new cat fails too.

Tell me about it.

Ive checked the oil and water again today and no oil in the water or visa versa.
ive checed the 2 breathers at the back of the cam cover and they are clear.
If the piston rings were passing would this show on the spark plugs ??

swingy said:

Tell me about it.

Ive checked the oil and water again today and no oil in the water or visa versa.
ive checed the 2 breathers at the back of the cam cover and they are clear.
If the piston rings were passing would this show on the spark plugs ??

Click to expand...

The plugs will would show no matter how the oil getting into the cylinders. Doing a compression testw would be a good idea. All cylinders should be 175 psi +or- 10%.

Hi nodge,

Ive done a compression test and all 4 cylinders read about 14 bar after 3 or 4 turns.

If I let it run for 10 secs as the Haynes manual says the pressure keeps rising until the compression tester goes pop !!

At 200 psi the compression is fine, almost to high. Maybe the valve guide oil seals are shot?

Hi nodge,

Thanks for your replies.

I've had some advice from a friend of a friend who used to be a rover mechanic. He says that more than likely one of the rings is broken or stuck, or the rings are carboned up.
He's recommended/suggested that I put some oil additive/conditioner in and then take it for a good old thrashing !!!!
However, i'm a little concerned cos he said this will cure it or kill it !!!!!!

I'm thinking of biting the bullet and getting a full gasket and seal kit and stripping the head down.
you mentioned breathers in an earlier post. The Haynes bible doesn't really show where they are and which ones to check. The only 2 I found were the ones from the cam cover to the air inlet set up.

I'll try the thrashing thing later and let you know if anything improves.

Once again thanks for you patients and help.

Hi nodge/guys,

Put some Wynnes stop leak in the oil and some injector cleaner in the tank......

And, 280miles and a decent thrashing up and down the A1 later. And still the same.

No problems whilst driving. Engine running sound. Speeds of 95mph and still some left in throttle.
No visible smoke whilst zipping along or changing gear. Smoke only appears when I stop at lights or a junction and then pull away.

Starting to get on my thrupney bits !!!!!!!!!!!!

I will be down your way in a few weeks collecting a set of wheels. Can drop an engine off at the same time