Oil and smoke out of tailpipe 73.5 CIS Targa

rockreid · 04-30-2015, 07:12 AM

OK, I finally was able to get my project 73.5 CIS rebuild up and running after sorting out the fuel distributor air flap sensor adjustment issue. I put new dino oil of course into the car up to the Min level dot on the oil tank dipstick but now with the engine running I am getting oil spitting out of the tailpipe. All of the spark plugs are fouled with oil now with smoke pouring out of the exhaust. The Oil Pressure gauge appears to be working and registering a good level.

This car hadn't run since 1988 or so and I rebuilt this 2.4T step by step with Wayne's book. Is this simply an overfilled oil system? To me it shouldn't be because the level is right at the Min dot in the tank. The heads were rebuilt by an unknown machine shop (long story), I updated the chain tensioners, but cylinders and pistons are stock and original. If it is an overfilled tank can I just take a quart or two out and go try and run it again?

jpnovak · 04-30-2015, 08:33 AM

If you filled the tank to the dot while cold you have probably overfilled the oil.

Check the intake behind the filter and look for oil as a tell-tale sign that it has been sucked up through the oil tank breather and into the engine. Makes a mess, sucks to clean up but no damage is likely done other than fouled plugs.

It will eventually burn-off if you can get it to run and nice and warm.

rockreid · 04-30-2015, 10:18 AM

Hi. No oil in intake filter area. Maybe since the car has been sitting all fall and winter with oil topped up the oil seeped into places it shouldn't be . This should burn off? All the plugs are fouled but this should burn off correct?

smokintr6 · 04-30-2015, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockreid

Hi. No oil in intake filter area. Maybe since the car has been sitting all fall and winter with oil topped up the oil seeped into places it shouldn't be . This should burn off? All the plugs are fouled but this should burn off correct?

I have seen that be the case. I would not have thought it would happen on a new engine, but I guess it could. If you're sure that its not overfilled you could try to let it burn off. Did this on a friend's SC. The smoke was fantastic and raw oil was dripping out of the muffler tip. Eventually cleared up and all was well. I guess have a fire extinguisher on hand

rockreid · 04-30-2015, 12:51 PM

SUCCESS!

I took out 2 quarts of oil, re-fired up the engine. And it roared to life. Smoke everywhere however. I let it burn a bit at 2000rpm using the hand throttle. I checked for any oil leaks, and found none. I checked for traffic and drove the car for a very short up and street and back a few times. This car hasn't run on its own since 1988. After a few Italian tune-up runs and about a 30 minute run time in the driveway the smoke seems to diminishing. I hope it was just the pistons rings being seated and it will continue to improve. Anyway, no misses or weird clunks. My initial trans linkage install even seems to be right on. Smooth shifts all the way.

I re-checked the engine oil level while it was still hot and now it registers right in the middle. So I did overfill it by 1-2 quarts. Engine oil temp and Pressure gauges work fine. Thanks for all the help in this forum. Now to check the distributor timing and dial in the FD sensor flap adjustment a bit more as I think it's a little lean.