U CAN Racing enigine issues

[v80z]

Round here, as in other places, we got a nascar race series at the local track called ucan. It is comprised of stripped down geo metro and such. Low buck circle track.

 

Anyway Young kid called me up said he was having engine problems. Geo Metro 1.3 liter? Smokin oil and no power after 11 1/3 mile laps. He suspected rings. I went over and did a compression check and all cylinders pumped to 162 162 168 164. Is this good? It sounded good to me.

 

If so what could be the cause of the oil smoke? Valve seals? He said he had to run the oil level at the bottom end in order no to make so much smoke that he got black flagged. After he put the plugs back in we ran it a while and then looked at the plugs. Not wet black but just rich black. Carbonized? So I am at a loss right now. Could the compression rings be good and the oil rings be letting ouil up? that doesnt sound right but asking anyway.

[Ledphoot]

Sounds like it is sucking oil through a vacuum line. Like Pcv valve pipe. See if any vacuum lines run directly to the crancase from the intake area for positive ventillation. Might even have oil returns clogged from head to pan and causing oil to back up in a vent or line and into intake.

[v80z]

Hey ledphoot

 

Thanks for the reply

 

When I looked under the valve cover I did notice that the rear of the head had 3 oil drains. The front had only one and the oil was pooled up in the front but in the back I could see the top of the head. I ran my finger around the front looking for another drain but there was none. The front drain seems to have a boss so that it is designed to hold more oil up front. the rear drains were flush with the top of the head. Dont know if that is by design or if there is an issue there.

 

Also side note. cam oiling is accomplished by a valley in the head under the cam created by 2 ribs that run parallel to the cam cast into the top of the cam. The cam turns in a pool of oil. I thought that was neat. Still not sure if it is by design though. How does the compression pressure sound OK?

 

Do you know any good ucan or geo racing sites?

 

 

Joe

[Ledphoot]

Compression sounds great. if the oil is building up enough around the valves and the valve seals are shot I would suspect the valve guides are also worn. If this either or both is the case the oil puddling is flowing past the seals into the cylinders. You wont register a compression loss and in fact will get a higher reading because the oil helps create a seal around the rings when testing. ( called a "wet" test..) That reading sounds high. I would expect more in the 120psi range. It "might" be oil rings sticking to the pistons instead of floating. You can pull the plugs and fill the cylinder with a mix of marvel Mystery oil and carb cleaner 50/50 mix and let it soak a day or 2 with the plugs in to slow evaporation. It will smoke like crazy on startup but will clear in a few minutes. This may loosen the oil rings so they can slide properly and stop oil from getting piled up and past the compression rings also. An engine that has had a poor service record will often stick the rings and the hydraulic lifters. We used to do this at the car lot often with some of the cheapies....Dont add any type of cleaner to the oilpan because if there is a lot of builup it will work loose and clog the oilpump screen.. But adding the mix to the cylinders is ok. Change oil to 20w50 add a 6 cyl can of Restore and a step hotter plug, and stay away from synthetics as they tend to leak easier when any kind of seal is questionable. Then just drive the SNOT out of it!!!! Keep a lookout on ebay. I see these motors from time to time cheap and i think you can sneek a prism/corolla motor in them also. if you can find an old VW they make a great beater.. use a fuel inj GTI converted to carb ( IF RULES REQUIRE) and the diesel tranny... ZOOM !!

[v80z]

OK man will do

mm oil n carb cleaner

20/50 oil

1 step hotter

 

got it

 

thanks