[Che]

I got a 1.3 in my LPG Sierra with near 230K on the clock, and I reckon i'm using 2-3L of oil every 5000 kms, which has me a little concerned. But - i'm not hearing knocks, grinds, pings or other perculiar tones/noises from the engine.

It's rough to start, but once theres a bit of temp there it'll never look back. It still goes pretty hard if I give it some stick, but you can feel the lost pep due to the Ks on the clock. I though it was a minor timing issue, but now I think it's just old age.

How long do you reckon I have before I need to start thinking about a rebuild/replacement? I'll put if of as long as possible, but I don't wanna be left stranded either

[Fatzook]

The cam will sieze in the head soon.

[shep]

do you use a quality 15w40 oil?

[Che]

I use Nulon's High Km oil (from SCA) - can't remember the grade of the top of my head. After reading the Haynes manual i'm gonna swap to a synthetic and see if that makes any difference, but yeah... wrong end of the engine lifecycle to really improve my options.

If the cam siezes will the engine be proper fucked for a rebuild?

[Che]

Proper fucked... I mean - not rebuildable, or will it just result in head damage

[zooker]

Head is basically fucked if the cam seizes. Pull the engine apart now and rebuild it, or get a cheap second hand one.

[foolsp33d]

engine is a non interferance head, so if cam seizes.. there goes timing belt, but the pistons SHOULDNT munch the valves... head will be rooted.. why not just get it bored n ringed now have the head tested n flowed now while its still in a running state and give it a relife?

[Che]

Money is tight right now so I have to take my chances for probably the next 10 - 15,000 Ks... just hope it'll hold out.

I should say - I think it may be the LPG regulator that causes the poor starting - it takes a minute to warm up and give a good constant regulation... but i'm not discounting the mileage effect either.

[Fatzook]

che_guitarra wrote:

Money is tight right now so I have to take my chances for probably the next 10 - 15,000 Ks... just hope it'll hold out.

I should say - I think it may be the LPG regulator that causes the poor starting - it takes a minute to warm up and give a good constant regulation... but i'm not discounting the mileage effect either.

LPG, massive oil consumption and high kms......its only a matter of time. For your sake I hope you get your 10-15,000kms out of it

[Che]

Damn it

Oh well... Perth or bust

[alien]

LOL lets hope its not bust - and make sure you take plenty of water and a CB radio!

You know, you could line up a new engine for when you get here... have it fitted in 2 days... suzistore did my 1.6 in 1.5 days once... lol (Dropped off wed after work, got a call friday lunch to say it was ready).

[Che]

Yessiree Alien, that is the plan... but by the time i'm there i'll need another 10K in mileage outta the rubber band

[MacDaddy]

230,000kms isnt a really huge amount... but it is getting there... depends how long it has been on LPG, and if its LPG only, or dual fuel.. as LPG can make the valves run hotter, due to little or no lubrication, like from Petrol...
If its an older type LPG system like i had in my Holden PV, it will run rough until the engine gets warm, as it is connected to the cooling system, and uses the hot coolant to turn the liquid, into a gas before going into the carby, and you do have to adjust the timing a bit different with LPG as the primary fuel...

I would do an oil change before you leave, and run an Oil Flush through, to get max unblocked oil flow, then put in a semisynth oil of 15W or even 10W40 or 50 , so it flows really well... then just top it up every 400 to 500kms... i think that will give you the best chance of getting to Perth, without any failures... i am sure i will be corrected if i am wrong...

[DropBear8]

good luck sounds like the engine has already dug five foot down but how long is that last foot?

[shep]

i think the nulon high km oil is a 60w, not real good for a suzi motor

[royce]

ok heres another thread where everybody should just SHUT THE FUCK UP if they dont have the answer

thats not unusual consumption for an engine with those km on it, gas has nothing to do with it and is probably helping the engine to live longer given the oil isnt being destroyed by carbon contamination from petrol

youll probably find its worn valve stem seals and or valve stems letting the oil in, you could do a compression test to see how your rings are fairing but I would say they are going to be in spec and unless you really want to spend some good money rebuilding it properly to keep the car for quite a few years yet I wouldnt worry too much

[ajsr]

royce wrote:

ok heres another thread where everybody should just SHUT THE FUCK UP if they dont have the answer

thats not unusual consumption for an engine with those km on it, gas has nothing to do with it and is probably helping the engine to live longer given the oil isnt being destroyed by carbon contamination from petrol

youll probably find its worn valve stem seals and or valve stems letting the oil in, you could do a compression test to see how your rings are fairing but I would say they are going to be in spec and unless you really want to spend some good money rebuilding it properly to keep the car for quite a few years yet I wouldnt worry too much

X2 Ive got small bore machine engines on work sites ie 22hp v twins that use a litre a week and ony hold 1.5 litre total that just keep going for years.
just because its using a bit of oil doent mean its going to lunch its self, it may do another 50,000 quiete happily and all this oil makes a good lude for that dry gas.
I wouldnt swap to a syntetic oil now just use a good oil with the right spec and make sure you keep it topped up.

[shakes]

Before your trip I would give the engine a good service. Rocker cover off. Clearance the valves. Sump off clean the pick up and any crud out. replace hoses etc and you'll be fine. The only real thing to be worried about is lpg availability and your range.

[ajsr]

shakes wrote:

Before your trip I would give the engine a good service. Rocker cover off. Clearance the valves. Sump off clean the pick up and any crud out. replace hoses etc and you'll be fine. The only real thing to be worried about is lpg availability and your range.

I'd leave it alone if its running fine,change the oil ckeck everything and enjoy the drive.
IMO sometimes you are better to leave things undisturbed in older engines you may cause more problems than you fix.
ps I also would not oil flush the engine and loosen up all that carbon buildup, leave it where its happy doing nothing.

[atari4x4]

seven

[Che]

Thanks Royce and Ajsr, was fearing the worst last night, but not convinced the motor is that far done just yet. Nice to have a bit of reassurance.

BTW - The Nulon Hi KM oil I use is 20 - 50W grade. Seemed like a likely choice seeing there's high kms on the engine. I'll stick with the Haynes manual recommendations in future.

[MrRocky]

my blue zuk uses about 1ltr of oil per 400kms as well, just keep it full or just over full and it should be right, its an unusual feeling pulling up at the lights and then waiting for the smoke cloud to catch up and engulf the car, sometimes i long for a hardtop *cough*cough*, i find if i keep the rpm down then oil usage isnt so bad but if i change as per normal at 3500-4500rpm then i have to keep a close eye on the oil level.

[Scrawny]

IMO that's not real high klms and also not huge consumption.