Oily spark plug

[Reverend Frog 10]

My VR6 has been running poorly for ages, so I decided to change the spark plugs today - which did the trick. The worst one was on no. 1 cylinder, and it looked like this (click for bigger image)

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]84341[/ATTACH]

 

I suspect either worn bore in that cylinder or valve stem seals - what everyone else think? Oil is obviously getting in and fouling the plugs - you can smell burning oil as well.

 

(The car does give a puff of blue smoke when you press the throttle after downhill engine braking)

[Jim Bowen 1]

Probably the valve seals

[Dox 22]

Isn't number 1 cylinder that suffers with bore wear?

 

Compression test or better still leak down test should reveal worn cylinders.

 

20+ year old valve stem seals will be rock hard and cracked by now too.

[dr_mat 0]

A puff of oil smoke on burn after engine braking does point to bore wear pulling oil past the rings, from what I understand.

[fendervg 30]

No.1 will always be somewhat oily on cars this age with a VR engine, unless the head has been rebuilt. Compression test will tell all.

[Reverend Frog 10]

No.1 will always be somewhat oily on cars this age with a VR engine, unless the head has been rebuilt. Compression test will tell all.

 

The head was rebuilt and compression tested before I bought the car, and all was fine at the time, apparently.

 

if a rebore is required, that would involve getting a 2.8 block and getting everything ground out to 2.9, is that right? or would I be better off just getting a new engine?

 

The thing still performs fine, worst case scenario is I just change plugs every so often and keep an eye on the oil level.

Edited August 22, 2016 by Reverend Frog

[fendervg 30]

You don't even have to change them more often - just clean them occasionally.

[dr_mat 0]

Exactly, it'll run for ages like this. Just burns a bit of oil.

[graham1971 10]

Just as I thought everything in Corrado world was looking good I've noticed a puff of smoke on startup along with that smell of burning oil. I changed the plugs and leads two weeks ago, do I now need to change my engine too or is this something that can be remedied by a competent VW specialist? Mines only on 119k, seems small mileage compared to lots of others!

[Dox 22]

Just as I thought everything in Corrado world was looking good I've noticed a puff of smoke on startup along with that smell of burning oil. I changed the plugs and leads two weeks ago, do I now need to change my engine too or is this something that can be remedied by a competent VW specialist? Mines only on 119k, seems small mileage compared to lots of others!

 

That's typical of worn guides or old hardened stem seals, oil runs down the valve stems and fuel washes it off the valves causing a puff of smoke on start up or when throttling up after decending a steep hill in gear

[graham1971 10]

That's typical of worn guides or old hardened stem seals, oil runs down the valve stems and fuel washes it off the valves causing a puff of smoke on start up or when throttling up after decending a steep hill in gear

Bottom line, what sort of price would I be looking at to get that done? Just so I have some idea what's normal before my trip to the local tooth suckers for another walletectomy!

[Jim Bowen 1]

Think you have to remove the head to change the seals, i was trying to work it out at the weekend. So being a corrado its a good time to do the clutch/chains/tensioners/headgasket/fit a turbo and 6 spd gearbox.

[graham1971 10]

Think you have to remove the head to change the seals, i was trying to work it out at the weekend. So being a corrado its a good time to do the clutch/chains/tensioners/headgasket/fit a turbo and 6 spd gearbox.

 

I was thinking more of a walletectomy than going straight to becoming homeless!

[graham1971 10]

I've just been reading about some oil additives that can allegedly rejuvenate the rubber seals inside your engine and prevent the above mentioned problem. Has anybody here tried them? Do they work and if so what's the best one?

[Dox 22]

I've just been reading about some oil additives that can allegedly rejuvenate the rubber seals inside your engine and prevent the above mentioned problem. Has anybody here tried them? Do they work and if so what's the best one?

 

Not used it, wouldn't bother either, 20 odd years of heat cycles and the seals will be rock hard and cracked by now. The usual method of replacing stem seals is to pass thin rope into the cylinder via the spark plug hole before bringing the piston up to TDC holding the valves against there seats. You then have to fathom a way of compressing the valve springs to remove the collets, caps, springs then remove refit the seal.

[graham1971 10]

Not used it, wouldn't bother either, 20 odd years of heat cycles and the seals will be rock hard and cracked by now. The usual method of replacing stem seals is to pass thin rope into the cylinder via the spark plug hole before bringing the piston up to TDC holding the valves against there seats. You then have to fathom a way of compressing the valve springs to remove the collets, caps, springs then remove refit the seal.

 

That's WAY above my pay grade! Sounds as though I'm going to have to bite the bullet, see the local toothsucker and take out another mortgage!

[Dox 22]

This type of thing - not watched the whole vid

 

[dr_mat 0]

If only a "small puff of smoke on startup" was the biggest issue on my Corrado repair list. I might choose to live with that until something serious happens!

[Dox 22]

That's WAY above my pay grade! Sounds as though I'm going to have to bite the bullet, see the local toothsucker and take out another mortgage!

 

When you say that what's the most complex job you've done so far? There's plenty of help available here if you get stuck and you only need basic hand tools, a bit of rope and a cam locking plate so why not step out of your comfort zone and have a go?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vr6-Timing-Locking-Plate-Camshaft-Alignment-Tool-/142310560648?hash=item21225ed388:g:n8IAAOSw4CFYvyMz

 

Contains a nice pic of the plate in use

[graham1971 10]

When you say that what's the most complex job you've done so far? There's plenty of help available here if you get stuck and you only need basic hand tools, a bit of rope and a cam locking plate so why not step out of your comfort zone and have a go?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vr6-Timing-Locking-Plate-Camshaft-Alignment-Tool-/142310560648?hash=item21225ed388:g:n8IAAOSw4CFYvyMz

 

Contains a nice pic of the plate in use

 

Most complex job I've tackled by myself to date was dismantling repairing and replacing the now working sunroof! In terms of the oily bits I basically do my own servicing, plugs, leads, filters and fluids etc. At no point yet have I tackled anything like what you've described, I'd be worried about leaving bits in or out and never getting it back on the road again.

It's only because of help from the forum members generally that I've been able to do as many of the little jobs I've been able to do myself, the knowledge and attitude of the other members on here is immeasurable.

I've spoken to a local VW specialist today who's estimated about £550 in labour and around the same in parts so around £1100 in total.

He's said he's done this in the past and said it would be better to replace the chain and tensioners at the same time, as was mentioned by other members, it looks like I'd better start saving!

[Dox 22]

Most complex job I've tackled by myself to date was dismantling repairing and replacing the now working sunroof! In terms of the oily bits I basically do my own servicing, plugs, leads, filters and fluids etc. At no point yet have I tackled anything like what you've described, I'd be worried about leaving bits in or out and never getting it back on the road again.

It's only because of help from the forum members generally that I've been able to do as many of the little jobs I've been able to do myself, the knowledge and attitude of the other members on here is immeasurable.

I've spoken to a local VW specialist today who's estimated about £550 in labour and around the same in parts so around £1100 in total.

He's said he's done this in the past and said it would be better to replace the chain and tensioners at the same time, as was mentioned by other members, it looks like I'd better start saving!

 

 

Ive not done a sunroof, it fills me with dread tbh, I'll cross that bridge one day.

 

You sound more than capable of doing the seals yourself - it may not cure it after all and you may have to go deeper in the engine eventually.

 

There nothing that gives me greater satisfaction than doing a job myself and saving money

 

Good luck with whatever you decide to do