One side is smoking...

[Jonny Rock]

Hi kevtherev,
Not sure about a wet cylinder or dry. Could you explain.
And NO to the draw down test. I would remember that.

One thing i tried today was to change the The amplifier to a new one that I had been saving and also by passed the stabilizer, as in when you set timing. Joined the two connectors together.

This seemed to help a little with the smoking, (wishful thinking?) but only had chance to rev up on drive. Not been for a run yet. And it was quite chilly this morning when I did this. Might have a bearing on matters.

Will try to go for a run tomorrow.

Thanks for your help.

[Jonny Rock]

Right, can confirm that a draw down test was done. Everything was fine.
Went for a run today, and putting a new amplifier on and by-passing the stabilizer made no difference at all.

Think I may drop engine and re-check piston rings/put new on.

Bar doing this, I don't have any idea as to why I'm smoking on one side as everything checked out.

Anyone got anymore thoughts or suggestions.

[kevtherev]

Wet cylinder compression test is done with a squirt of oil in the cyl and a dry test is with out oil
Although in a flat four this test is a bit difficult due to the position of the cylinders

it confirms are negates piston ring wear/breakage.

were the heads checked for cracks?

though it was checked as you say, I am still of a mind this is guide wear or a ring fault, a broken one even,
it is not easy to identify valve seal leakage unless the head is taken off. Leaking valve guides usually show as heavy deposits on the back of the valve.

[Jonny Rock]

Hi, heads were checked for cracks so can rule that out.
Engine out over weekend so will check for deposits at the back of valves.

But i'm leaning towards broken ring as its very smokey on the one side but in a random way. Always smokey but sometime REALLY heavy and sometimes not so.
Collecting rings tomorrow and will let you know the out come next week.
Thanks for your info and knowlegde kevtherev.
Jon

[kevtherev]

I am very intrigued to hear your findings.
Lets hope it's a simple thing.

I had a cylinder with the circlip broke out of the wrist pin in the piston
The pin then travelled to the bore wall and dug a nice trench in it

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Smokey and random on one side eh??

No irritating tinkly noise mentioned, (broken ring)

My close look would be at the brass valve guide.

With the spring stripped off, if there is even the slightest rock, oil will get past.

My second close look would be the valve stem oil seals, (are there any)

Have fun this weekend. Me I'm rebuilding a 1600 CT this weekend.

Cordialement,

[Jonny Rock]

Thanks all, a mucky weekend it is for me and a mate.
Hopefully a simple one, Mmm.
If done by Monday, feeling hopefull, I'll let you know.
Enjoy your re-build.
Got a 1700 type 4 that I keep lifting the tarp off in the shed and saying to myself, 'really should have a go myself at a rebuild, maybe next month' Been doing that for two years now. One day......
Ta, Jon

[Jonny Rock]

Right where were we with this...
So on Saturday my mate and I got engine out. In the mean time I'd managed to get a couple of good used cylinder heads with all the gubbins. All guides etc in great nick.
Cylider heads off to see what was going on.
First thing we noticed when checking around was that one of the piston rings was flapping around like a fish. Big gap. This being on the smokey side too.
Bores and pistons checked, no scaring or any sign of damage. But my cylinder heads were in a very used state.
So, lapped valves and new 'used' heads. Checked for leaks with parrafin. New piston rings. Everything checked and re checked. Then put new 'used' heads back on.
Did front crank seal whilst we were at it.
Engine back in and all connected up then double checked.
Fired her up and.....
Bit smokey but coming out of both sides of exhaust. This soon burn off. Oil when inserting new rings etc.
Went for a gentle spin, couple of miles and everything seems ok at the mo. Fingers crossed.

One thing I will say, which dugcati mentioned in an earlier reply, is that I do think I may have a problem with over fueling on the the right hand side, the smokey side. When we balance carbs, became a bit of a nightmare to set/get right on the right hand carb.
So disconnected the wiring to chokes, tapped both with a hammer and tried balancing again. This also seems to have worked. Sticking on full choke?

So, I definatly had a problem with a piston ring. But I also have a problem with over fueling/choke stuck on full.
And between the two, I created an awful lot of smoke.
The next step will be to sort chokes/carbs out.

I do have a, (NO abuse at this), A weber progressive that I may stick on as a temp carb. And yes it is jetted to a 2lt engine, and yes I know about icing.
But I know it runs and I know the bus it came off. This at the very least will remove the over fueling and keep me mobile till I can sort/afford some more carbs.

Many thank for the replies, very helpful.
Just goes to show you, you could have one problem or a combination of a couple and they all lead you in to a dark place. But we love it.....
Cheers Jon