help

medwaykent · Post by **medwaykent** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 7:41 pm

Hi folks just got into Spain on my v8 trike and major problems have occurred I'm smoking badly and when I say badly I do mean badly I suspect oil ring but unsure a moment my question is if it's rings or piston that's gone would it be possible to take plug lead of suspected piston and run it like this? I'm 717 miles from home and really don't want to get relayed home thanks in advance Paul

unstable load · Post by **unstable load** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:52 am

Have you pulled the plugs and checked them for oil and fouling to identify the errant cylinder? I wouldn't pull the lead and ride 700+ miles, personally, I'd keep topping up oil or put it on a car carrier.

I'd suggest checking your crankcase ventilation system for cleanliness first. The RV8 has a small filter at the back of the block that vents the case and if it blocks, it can cause mechanical misery.

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 8:08 am

I'd second checking the crankcase ventilation first. Had a P6 which suddenly produced the most amazing amount of smoke at speed - thought it was a holed piston. Just blocked flame traps and breather hoses. On an admittedly less than perfect engine. The clue was it didn't smoke as badly (or hardly at all) at slow speeds.

medwaykent · Post by **medwaykent** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 2:41 pm

Well guys had a check of engine and for some strange reason the oil is well over max on dipstick and I defo did/not overfill it --emptied about 2 litres out burned of excise oil in exhaust seems all ok so thanks guys- not question is who put the extra oil in?

harvey · Post by **harvey** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 3:56 pm

Did the oil you drained out smell of petrol?

medwaykent · Post by **medwaykent** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 10:01 pm

No smell of petrol once I burnt oil off. In exhaust trike ran really well, I have a jealous neighbour and trike was left in front garden and think he's sneaked in and topped it up with more oil! Can someone tell me approx how many litres a Sd1 3-5 engine takes

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Sun Aug 11, 2013 8:11 am

Official figure is 4.8 litres including filter. Will be more if you have an oil cooler.

medwaykent · Post by **medwaykent** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:05 am

Thanks for that Dave now up in middle of France rode trike about 250 miles yesterdayrode ok but when you take foot of throttle it smokes badly and when apply throttle all ok again and engine oil level is up again I'm having to top up auto box every 100 miles or so _ gm auto box so oil is going from gearboxto engine --any thoughts about this folks? Thanks in advance Paul

DaveEFI · Post by **DaveEFI** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:52 am

Ah. Is the gearbox changing gear normally?

The vacuum modulator valve on the GM box, that the vacuum feed from the engine connects to, has a habit of the rubber diaphragm failing. Since it is below the gearbox oil level, ATF gets drawn from the box into the engine and burnt. The clue this is happening is a white(ish) smoke, rather that the blue(ish) smoke of engine oil. And normally, the gearbox staying in a low gear for longer than usual. With total failure, the box will stay in a low gear until you exceed the maximum speed in that gear when it will change up.

If you disconnect the vacuum feed and blank it off at the engine end, it is safe to drive the vehicle - although inconvenient if it won't change up. But you'll not damage the box by doing this - unlike a BW box with a broken control cable.