oil in cylinder 3

simon911 · 10-18-2011, 01:10 PM

I am new to this forum site and have just last week got my first 911.(1985 targa)
the car has not run for about 7 years but has been garaged for this time(dry).
I thought I'd give the engine a turn over with the plugs out only to discover oil spurt out of no3 cylinder.
Any ideas what the problem could be.
The car is in great condition with 70,000 on the speedo.
Many thanks.

E Sully · E Sully's Garage

Oil can leak past rings and valve seals while sitting. Have you done a compression or leak down test? This can give you an idea of the shape it's in. Some 3.2's suffer from early valve guide wear, but this won't show in a leak down test. Do a valve adjustment and also check the head nuts. It may be fine with just fresh gas and oil to start it up.

simon911 · 10-20-2011, 08:04 AM

Hi Ed,
Thanks for the info ,I half thought about it leaking down the valve guides,
Many thanks
Simon911.

lindy 911 · lindy 911's Garage

Since oil to the head drains back to the sump via oil return tubes, the likelihood of it being a stem seal is remote. The guides themselves can't transfer oil unless the stem seal is bad. Most likely is oil draining back into the sump from the oil tank, filling the sump to the point the oil level reaches the cylinders and starts to fill the cylinders from the crank case side of the piston. That oil then seeps past the piston rings and into the combustion chamber. The condition is very normal for an opposed engine like a 911 six.

I would crank the motor with the pugs out (make certain there is nothing that can be sucked into the plug hole like dirt or small rocks) until most of the oil is cleared. Then start it and be prepared for it to smoke like crazy for a while, then drive it to clear the remaining oil. I think you'll be fine.

simon911 · 10-20-2011, 11:27 PM

Hi lindy 911,
Thankyou for your info,
simon911

JFairman · 10-21-2011, 08:52 AM

After 7 years in storage you should definately squirt some motor oil into all the spark plug holes and then spin it over on the starter motor while the plugs are out to spread it around the cylinders, pistons, and rings to some degreee while there is no compression to drag on the starter motor.

You should see oil pressure on the gauge after 3-6 seconds if the starter motor and battery are good and turning it over at a normal speed.

It's a good idea to change the oil next and when it's ready to run start it and run it to operating temperature.. at least 20 minutes if warm out and longer if it's cold out.

There could be rust in the upper levels of the steel gas tank if it wasn't filled up with gas all those years. More so if you're in a humid climate. hopefully there was stabil or something similar put into the gas before it sat 7 years.
The gas in it will smell like varnish by now and the octane will be lower but it might start on it if some fresh gas is mixed in with it.

simon911 · 10-21-2011, 10:12 AM

Hi JF airman,
Car has been in a garage for the last 7 years,
As we say (a barn find).
Many thanks for the info,
Regards
Simon911

911 tweaks · 02:57 PM

What I use to lube the cyl walls in a situation like this = an engine that has been sitting for a while...I spray marine outboard engine fogging oil into ea cyl & make sure no stones/crap is around the base of where the spark plug sits to avoid stuff getting sucked into the cyl's...spray using the long plastic 1/16" od tube/hose into ea cyl swirling the hose around to coat all of the walls as best as you can...
then, remove the fuel pump relay in the front trunk so as to NOT be spraying old or new gas into the cyls...
Have you taken care of the fuel ie is it fresh...?? If not, drain & refill w/ fresh gas...replaced the fuel filter...?? replaced a/o checked the usual replacable tune up parts...??
Once all of this is in order, THEN crank over engine w/o plugs in to get the cyl's used to working again + blow out the extra fogging oil + build up engine oil pressure...then install plugs...then install fuel pump relay...hope that the fuel pump buzzes & works & twist the key...when it starts, it will smoke as mentioned for a while = 10-30 minutes till it clears out of the muffler & cyl's & all...
Start off slow bringing the car back to road worthyness...check brakes, ect...pleanty of write-ups here on pelican on what to check for returning a car to road use...
Welcome & enjoy...!
Bob