Knackered engine

[wrinx]

Ok, looks like my engine may be FUBAR...but before I commit to an expensive rebuild there's a couple of other things to try (in desperation!).

One is a decent oil change and top quality petrol...so recommend me a quality oil for the tubby 16v please.

wrinx

[arjunior45]

I still use 'Selenia Racing 10W/60' and I was thinking to try also 'Castrol Edge 10W-60' {not the 'Sport' one though}.
A decent oil is also the red 'Selenia Alfa Romeo formula 10W/40' recommended from Alfa itself for the Q4 {if not for a 'sportive' use}. I found it to be the best oil to use on my 'Bertone' {lower consumption and not smoke from the exhaust on this car}.

But you can have a look here http://forum.berlinasportivo.org/showthread.php?t=1507 and try to ask opieoils or 'Oilman' {http://forum.berlinasportivo.org/member.php?u=6595 }

[SteveNZ]

Whats wrong with it?

Enough it think an oil change may help?

[wrinx]

I've got excessive oil consumption. Last vague hope is using a better oil, which I'll try.

But I think I'm only delaying the inevitable

wrinx

[jimnielsen]

what about a compression test? - are you seeing any black smoke under acceleration?

[SteveNZ]

Thats not "knackered" at all IMO. These engines can use a lot of oil even in good condition. If its not smoking and had good compression dont worry.

[wrinx]

Oddly, no I'm not getting a lot of smoke...none at all that I can see from the drivers seat.

But the rear bumper is a bit sooty.

Compression readings are:

Cyl:-----1-----2-----3-----4

Dry:---132--132--139--140
Wet:---153--152--160--155
Hot:----142--142--148--148

From "max" to "min" on the distick is being used in 200 miles, I'm currently using semi-synth 10/40 and hoping a change to fully synth 10/60 might help.

Could still be the turbo chucking oil out so need to check crankcase pressure...so I'm told Last time I looked there was oil in the piping before the intercooler but not in the steel inlet pipe (has that before with previous turbo!).

wrinx

[SteveNZ]

Any deposits on the plugs?

If you leave it for a week or longer does it smoke on start up?

[wrinx]

This is how they came out when I did the dry/wet test...slightly different for the hot test but no picture of then.

I've just bought some "colder" NGK BPR7EIX plugs as it looks like they were running a bit hot...unless I'm missing something really obvious it doesn't seem to smoke and the car is often stood for a few weeks in between being used.



wrinx

[colibry]

well allmost all owners of Q4 that i know they put oil CATROL ( RS ) EDGE sport 10W 60. And i get better oil pressure on cold and hot engine with this oil.

regards Ivan

[wrinx]

That's one of the oils I'm looking at, the other is Selenia Racing 10/60.

wrinx

[ecl]

very happy with agip 10 60 racing

[wrinx]

Read one or two comments about that too...but it seems to be hard to find from the usual suppliers.

wrinx

[wrinx]

Fiat Coupe guys seem to favour 15w50 oil....any thoughts?

wrinx

[SteveNZ]

Interesting, you have an old gold NGK plug there! not that it matters. The plugs are showing some wear.

The cylinders are defiantly burning oil and its running pretty rich too, but that's pretty common for a turbo engine.

The engine compression is getting a little low but its not "knackered". Most of the oil consumption is probably due to worn valve guides and stem seals.

[wrinx]

Ah well, decided I'll stick some thicker oil in and see what happens. For the amount I use the car it won't cost me a fortune just yet...until I buy a new turbo

wrinx