Interesting oil consumption issue

[tom4bren]

I might start with this one to test out on the Amigo before I copy over to the Vehicri:

http://www.pepboys.com/product/details/9291218/00031/

I'm starting to like Ldubs approach with an oil accumulation can more & more though. It looks like this might get messy if too much oil is present with the fumes.

Also keep in mind that this modification is slightly illegal. IIRC, it's been required since the 60's to NOT vent the crankcase to the atmosphere. Those gasses are required to be incinerated.

One thing I'll need to check when we pull the valve covers off of Boy's VX is for a baffle under the PCV. There's supposed to be one to prevent the oil from splashing into the PCV.

Mebbe dis one:

http://www.s2carbonworks.com/mfbialoilcac.html

[MSHardeman]

Tom,
I have been tearing down my old engine in my garage and I would be happy to take any pictures of anything that you would like to see so you don't have to rip into anything of yours. I seem to remember seeing baffles under both valve covers, but my memory ain't what it used to be.

Let me know and I'll snap away (that goes for anyone else too).

P.S. - pulling the driver side valve cover is a MAJOR PITA!! The valve cover fastener that is on the bottom closest to the fire wall requires VERY small hands or some serious ingenuity and tool creation to get at it at all, much less actually remove it. I have a tool that I bought at Lowe's which ended up working fairly well, but I'll have to take pictures of that too because I can't remember what it's called. The other thing; in order to get the driver side valve cover back on without twisting the gasket like a pretzel I actually had to remove the driver side engine hoist point to get enough room to work. Iffn' you don't HAVE to remove the valve cover DON'T.

[tom4bren]

Tom,
I have been tearing down my old engine in my garage and I would be happy to take any pictures of anything that you would like to see so you don't have to rip into anything of yours. I seem to remember seeing baffles under both valve covers, but my memory ain't what it used to be.

Let me know and I'll snap away (that goes for anyone else too).

P.S. - pulling the driver side valve cover is a MAJOR PITA!! The valve cover fastener that is on the bottom closest to the fire wall requires VERY small hands or some serious ingenuity and tool creation to get at it at all, much less actually remove it. I have a tool that I bought at Lowe's which ended up working fairly well, but I'll have to take pictures of that too because I can't remember what it's called. The other thing; in order to get the driver side valve cover back on without twisting the gasket like a pretzel I actually had to remove the driver side engine hoist point to get enough room to work. Iffn' you don't HAVE to remove the valve cover DON'T.

We're doing head gaskets so it hasta be done. Son is a mechanic & he's helping to make sure Dad doesn't FUBAR the whole thing.

[Mark B]

I had a 1999 isuzu amigo.
Still have a 2001 isuzu rodeo sport and 2000 vx
All vehicles have minimal oil use.
Change oil regulary with mobile 1 synthetic and change PCV too.

[tom4bren]

I had a 1999 isuzu amigo.
Still have a 2001 isuzu rodeo sport and 2000 vx
All vehicles have minimal oil use.
Change oil regulary with mobile 1 synthetic and change PCV too.

That's what I'm trying to achieve - minimal oil use.

Amigo has 130K on the clock so it's not surprising that there is some oil consumption ... but PO said that it didn't use any.

This modification gets rid of the PCV so with the problems we've been experiencing with them, this can only be a good thing ... even if it doesn't help with my oil consumption.

[evillecutter]

tom when you get a chance can you snap a picture of what and how you installed please

[tom4bren]

sure. I'll try to snap some pix tonight.

Here's the one I ordered (only in black).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNIVERSAL-HI...40bb05&vxp=mtr

BTW, I had to get a new PCV grommet for the install, mine was torn. The fitting that goes into the grommet was VERY tight but worked.

[tom4bren]

[blacksambo]

I like the way it looks. How do you empty the oil back into the engine and how often? Thx

[tom4bren]

I prolly won't try to re-use any of the oil caught by the canister. It'll contain a lot of gunk that tends to accumulate on top of the baffle inside the valve cover.

So far there's been no appreciable accumulation (just enough to 'wet' the plug on the bottom of the canister).

I'm thinking about modifying mine slightly: Add a drop tube to the inlet so that those gasses come into the canister about 1/2 way down. Add steel wool or sump'n to act as a baffle to condensate more of the liquids before going into the combustion chamber. Haven't quite convinced meself that it's needed yet. Since I've gotten so little accumulation, I think it's worth a shot.

BTW, with mine bolted to the airbox, there's little access to the drain port on the bottom of the canister. If I were accumulating enough that it needed to be emptied very often, I'd prolly relocate it so that the drain was more accessable.

[evillecutter]

any wiring on it or is it just the tubes and canister? and wouldnt we lost the same amount of oil if the canister is just accumulating and saving what would have been burnt off?i was under the assumption that it would reuse the oil so we dont lose it...

[tom4bren]

any wiring on it or is it just the tubes and canister? and wouldnt we lost the same amount of oil if the canister is just accumulating and saving what would have been burnt off?i was under the assumption that it would reuse the oil so we dont lose it...

Nope, nope, & nope. Strike 3

No wiring, the canister just replaces the PCV.

The thought was that since our PCV tends to get all wonky, the canister would serve the same purpose as the PCV without clogging. Positive pressure in the valve covers would cause all kinds of leaks (more consumption) whenever the PCV is clogged. The canister should just collect the liquid oil & still allow the gasses to get to the combustion chamber.

There's no automatic return from the canister to the valve cover. If'n you want to pour it back in yerself, I won't tell nobody.

Mebbe Ldub can splain it better'n me since he's been running his for a year or 2 now.

[evillecutter]

i thought we wanted to get rid of the gasses and keep the oil? is the oil that is accumulating in the canister oil that was in vapor form but then condensed? is that what would be going out the exhaust if it was not for the canister? if a train leaves the station at 7:45 going 90 mph headed east into a 7mph headwind and.......sorry

[tom4bren]

Yah, gasses from the valve covers need to be evacuated so that there is no positive pressure built up. There will be some oil suspended in those gasses. Before the 1960's the gasses could just be vented to the atmosphere & you can still get little filters to allow that to happen. Car manufacturers are however required by law to supply the vehicle with a means of combusting those gasses rather than venting them. Drip canisters are legal and do work but the manufacturers choose not to use them for cost & maintenance reasons.

[evillecutter]

Yah, gasses from the valve covers need to be evacuated so that there is no positive pressure built up. There will be some oil suspended in those gasses. Before the 1960's the gasses could just be vented to the atmosphere & you can still get little filters to allow that to happen. Car manufacturers are however required by law to supply the vehicle with a means of combusting those gasses rather than venting them. Drip canisters are legal and do work but the manufacturers choose not to use them for cost & maintenance reasons.

so a breather where the pvc is would in theory work better or the same as a canister system right, except its illegal?