PDA

View Full Version : 2.8 TD eats oil - why?



modustollens
28th May 2012, 11:06 PM
So, I am burning a lot of oil. More than I thought would be possible in an engine that would still go. I have never owned a vehicle that ate this much oil.

The manual said if there is excessive oil consumption then there is something wrong with the turbo seal.

The temperature gauge shows that the engine is not overheating.

There is also a lot of black smoke coming out the back (and, as I understand at present, that is unburnt diesel).

People have said to me in the past if the engine is burning oi then the piston rings are gone. I have not done a compression test; so, I do not know if the piston rings are shot.

Otherwise, this old truck (it is a 1990) goes ok - I have been taking it out in the bush and into the sand dunes, been camping a few times too. It is fun to drive, if only a bit smelly and smokey.

http://modustollens.org/Kazakstan/pictures/Okonki_Lake_OR_1_2012_04_30/Okonki_Lake_OR_1_2012_04_30_002.JPG

http://modustollens.org/Kazakstan/pictures/Okonki_Lake_OR_1_2012_04_30/Okonki_Lake_OR_1_2012_04_30_040.JPG

I can keep just pouring oil in; or, I can try and figure out the problem.

I won't be doing anything major (like rebuild the engine) for I am a foreign worker living in Kazakhstan for the next year and half and only bought this thing for weekend fun - cars here are terribly expensive and this patrol was one of the cheapest things around. It has never been cleaned and it does not look like it has much care - indeed - the transfer case and the differentials were all empty of fluid (and what a difference fluid makes too)! Don't even ask about the electrical problems.

Anyone care to speculate or suggest a course of action to help the diagnosis? Of course, being Kazakhstan, getting parts will be really hard, if not impossible. And I can't talk directly to the mechanics here (for Russian and Kazakh I speak not). But if I could improve the oil problem without spending too much it will be easier to sell the truck at the end of my contract here (or, better, prevent me from getting trapped out on the steppe).

Good luck!

MT

97_gq_lwb
29th May 2012, 09:51 AM
How good is the oil your using.
Is it the right grade etc
Or are they using old cooking oil lol

nissannewby
29th May 2012, 10:54 AM
Oil quality, turbo seals, worn engine, valve stem seals. There are a range of things check your crankcase breather isnly blocked but if its burning as much as you say there should certainly some sort of bluey coloured smoke coming out your exhasut.

modustollens
29th May 2012, 12:07 PM
I have been using oil for diesel engines; one brand was specifically for turbo engines. I have used some esso, valvoline, and magnatec. I tried using 10w30 but given that it was burning so much oil I started using a heavier grade- 15w40 - I read somewhere on this forum to try doing that if oil was being eaten.

There is certainly a lot grey/blue smoke coming out the back end, especially when it first starts up.

MT

Richo460
29th May 2012, 01:15 PM
What work takes you to Kazakstan? I know someone who went to a mine over that way. Anyway. Check your turbo first, it could be passing oil into the intake. Take your intake pipe off and see if there is lots of oil in there. If its bad on startup it could be your valve stem seals. Check for excessive crank case blow by, if there is alot then it could be your rings or again valve stem seals.
How much do mechanics (hahahaha, i work overseas too and i use the term mechanic very loosely) charge over there?

modustollens
8th April 2013, 08:38 PM
I work in a private school here. Mechanic labour is pretty cheap.

The few I talked too could not read a service manual but could fix things nonetheless - from years of hands-on knowledge. They were surprised at my manual relay switch but impressed at the same time.