Hint of mayonnaise in rocker cover

Big lumps of metals and spanners. Including servicing and fluids.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
jigarai
Registered user
Posts: 29
Joined: 18 Jan 2018, 14:09
80-90 Mem No: 16876
Location: Plymouth, Devon

Hint of mayonnaise in rocker cover

Post by jigarai »

I’m pretty new to all this so any advice is welcome!

Having the issues you can see in this video:

https://youtu.be/8X467JtGeJc[/url]

I decided a good place to start was to check the valve train and adjust the rockers/lifters.

Inside the right rocker cover I noticed some emulsified oil mix. Uh oh.

I’ll work out how to add a picture in a comment below in a moment.

It doesn’t burn oil. No oil in coolant reservoirs. Dipstick isn’t mayonnaisey.

So what’s the prognosis? I’m willing to have a go at most things and have enjoyed reading a number of threads on here recording people’s exploits as they undertake new challenges thinking I’d like to give that a go...
1985 Caravelle. 16v GTi. 4 speed, manual. LHD (US import)

Stesaw
Registered user
Posts: 1892
Joined: 10 Aug 2019, 23:30
80-90 Mem No: 17004
Location: Coventry

Re: Hint of mayonnaise in rocker cover

Post by Stesaw »

It certainly doesn't sound happy. 

When did you last do an oil change?
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project

User avatar
jigarai
Registered user
Posts: 29
Joined: 18 Jan 2018, 14:09
80-90 Mem No: 16876
Location: Plymouth, Devon

Re: Hint of mayonnaise in rocker cover

Post by jigarai »

Here’s a link to an image of the offending article:

https://jigarai.blogspot.com/2021/02/ro ... er_21.html

(Tips on better ways of getting images on here welcome)
1985 Caravelle. 16v GTi. 4 speed, manual. LHD (US import)

User avatar
jigarai
Registered user
Posts: 29
Joined: 18 Jan 2018, 14:09
80-90 Mem No: 16876
Location: Plymouth, Devon

Re: Hint of mayonnaise in rocker cover

Post by jigarai »

Hi Stesaw, thanks for your reply. The oil was changed within the last couple of months with 15-w40 mineral oil as sold by brickwerks.
Last edited by jigarai on 22 Feb 2021, 00:34, edited 1 time in total.
1985 Caravelle. 16v GTi. 4 speed, manual. LHD (US import)

Stesaw
Registered user
Posts: 1892
Joined: 10 Aug 2019, 23:30
80-90 Mem No: 17004
Location: Coventry

Re: Hint of mayonnaise in rocker cover

Post by Stesaw »

Only reason I asked was to see if you had any nasties on the drain plug or mayo-oil. 
I think they can sometimes go mayo a bit in/ on the rockers with condensation.
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project

User avatar
Mocki
Membership Admin
Posts: 16957
Joined: 29 Sep 2005, 09:27
80-90 Mem No: 428
Location: Mansfield Notts
Contact:

Re: Hint of mayonnaise in rocker cover

Post by Mocki »

jigarai wrote: 22 Feb 2021, 00:23 Here’s a link to an image of the offending article:

https://jigarai.blogspot.com/2021/02/ro ... er_21.html

(Tips on better ways of getting images on here welcome)

Image
Steve
tel / txt O7947-137911
👀
________________

1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
1988 2.1 Caravelle TS TinTop Camper 
 

User avatar
jigarai
Registered user
Posts: 29
Joined: 18 Jan 2018, 14:09
80-90 Mem No: 16876
Location: Plymouth, Devon

Re: Hint of mayonnaise in rocker cover

Post by jigarai »

Image

Thanks Mocki!
1985 Caravelle. 16v GTi. 4 speed, manual. LHD (US import)

Stesaw
Registered user
Posts: 1892
Joined: 10 Aug 2019, 23:30
80-90 Mem No: 17004
Location: Coventry

Re: Hint of mayonnaise in rocker cover

Post by Stesaw »

Does the white exhaust smoke smell of coolant or fuel, as it's petrol white smoke is coolant or water getting in.  

I think the wikipage should have some info on your problem, also do a search on the forums you should find some topics that might help.
Could be coolant getting into a barrel, are your head stud nuts all there and tight? I wouldn't try and undo them, just give them a look to make sure it all looks OK and I guess you could check if they are tight, just don't go crazy on them.

It will be worth doing some basic checks anyway, picking up a cheap USB endoscope to check your lifters are all OK and take the sparkplugs out and check inside the cylinders as well as check timing, check the sparkplugs themselves along with the leads although they look new, but that doesn't mean they are OK. Again these are all just things to maybe eliminate from the equation and to check anyway. I had some rough running due to the carb not being setup right and the timing being out, but mine wasn't smoking. Could just a matter of fiddling a bit as long as you record what you do so you can revert stuff back if need be. 

How did you adjust the valves?

If you don't have a haynes manual or the bentley one, It would be best to invest in one they are very helpful.

Just giving your thread a bump, there are much more knowledgeable people on here so hopefully they might see this and pipe in!
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project

davidoft1
Trader
Posts: 2579
Joined: 27 May 2009, 18:56
80-90 Mem No: 16628
Location: hayling island

Re: Hint of mayonnaise in rocker cover

Post by davidoft1 »

Sounds like a cam follower isn’t fully pumping up, the smoke is linked to the misfire it’s causing , sounds to be running on 3 and the exhausts leaking, as above have you checked the valves settings, are there any loose rocker arms ? As in the hydraulic cam followers aren’t fully pumped up, a drive usually cures a lazy cam follower, I would put the mayo down to a combination of winter cold / damp air etc,( it looks like it’s just condensation) same with the exhaust, needs an hours run then check smoke running etc. Do you have all the engine tinware in place ?

User avatar
Mocki
Membership Admin
Posts: 16957
Joined: 29 Sep 2005, 09:27
80-90 Mem No: 428
Location: Mansfield Notts
Contact:

Re: Hint of mayonnaise in rocker cover

Post by Mocki »

Just condensation I would say from the picture on my screen 
as has been said , check the rocker arm nuts are tight and then check adjustment on the rockers 
Steve
tel / txt O7947-137911
👀
________________

1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
1988 2.1 Caravelle TS TinTop Camper 
 

User avatar
jigarai
Registered user
Posts: 29
Joined: 18 Jan 2018, 14:09
80-90 Mem No: 16876
Location: Plymouth, Devon

Re: Hint of mayonnaise in rocker cover

Post by jigarai »

Thanks for all the advice folks - I've adjusted the rocker arms as advised (This video below was super useful) which has made a big difference. It is however still a bit smoky and lumpy on startup but much less so and settles down much more quickly. 5 minutes into a run and it's fine - do I need to be concerned about the initial misfiring causing any long term damage though?

On cylinder 4 the rocker arm adjusters seemed to go a long way in - before they met any resistance - to the point of almost running out of thread for the lock nut... Any thoughts about this? Could the lifters be in need of attention/replacement?

It is still a bit smoky and lumpy on startup but much less so and settles down much more quickly. Will try to make a video and update here soon. 

All engine tinware is in place I believe David. 

I'll look a the exhaust bolts/gaskets next time I'm having a tinker. It's a JK stainless exhaust installed by some local guys about 3 years ago. I had to replace a gasket soon after as it was blowing and wasn't convinced at the way one of the studs was holding so have my suspicions as to what's going on there. I've read that this might be a be a case of helicoiling it or re-tapping it a size up and using a stepped stud? Any advice on this appreciated too. 

Thanks again for the advice everyone - It is really much appreciated. 

1985 Caravelle. 16v GTi. 4 speed, manual. LHD (US import)

Post Reply