Smoking engine now smoking up cabin

[Mike Jenkins]

Hi folks,
I just got going on my second sail this season. I know its a slow slow start. On this trip I noticed a considerable amount of "oil smoke" in the cabin after motoring only 10-15 minutes. It was wafting out of the cabin and could be seen from the cockpit. This is more than normal. I looked closer while the engine was running and noticed it was coming out the oil filler cap even at low RPMs. The engine performance has been Ok, it starts well and contnues to run well. I have probably run the engine more than half a dozen times this spring up to 20 minutes or so each time without this problem occuring. The exhaust out the wet exhaust tube does smoke a little as well, but this was always the case. Compression of the engine was checked last fall all cyclinders above 95 psi. I cleaned the plugs in the spring changed oil last fall. Oil pressure is 30-40 psi depending on RPM. I did add a "Lucas fuel treatment" to the gasoline this spring.

What should I check for and what solutions are available for this concern?

Regards, Mike Jenkins , Nova Scotia
Ardea

[msauntry]

Sounds like its time for the crankcase breather kit.
Don has one as well as Indigo. I installed the Indigo kit last year for the same problem and it promptly took care of it.

The kit plumbs your crankcase vent tube (going to the carb spark arrestor) and redirects it via a tube to fitting or spacer that goes between the carb and the manifold. Its pretty easy to install the kit. What this does is burn those oil fumes up in the combustion process instead of venting to the atmosphere.

[vabiker23518]

Indigo is the way to go!

I had the same symptons as you, and purchased the Indigo breather kit. Was able to install it and it works as advertised! Was not too difficult to install either, and I only have basic mechanical skills.

[Don Moyer]

Mike,

I'd start by checking the attached guide for blow-by.

Don

[Mike Jenkins]

Engine blow-by

Thanks folks for your input.

I do have the Indigo PCV valve kit and I removed the PCV valve to make sure it was free and working. I was able to blow through in both diections. There is some restriction, (I assume normal) blowing into the crankcase direction. I replaced it back on the engine.

Yesterday ,I was able to pour from the container, rather than squirt, approximately 1/2 cap full of MMO into each cyclinder. I noted My plugs were all coated with some black soot and cyclinders 1 and 2 had a more oily residue. This was no different from previous seasons. The plugs were cleaned up. I also put 4 ounces of MMO into the crankcase oil. The oil on the dip stick looks clean still. I havn't checked the compression yet this year .

I fired it up, it took two tries of cranking, I suspect because of the MMO in the cyclinders, but fired up easily on the second attempt. I let the MMO burn off. The engine ran under a slight load for about 30 minutes. I still have the the blow-perhaps a little less than before. I'm hoping to get the season out of it typically 40-50 hours and then atempt an overhaul in the fall and winter.

Don I will be looking for advice on which parts to order for this work.

I appreciate all your responses. Mike

[Marian Claire]

40 to 50 hrs

Mike

I had similar sudden blow-by issues. I was 1000 miles south and my A4 got me home. 150 +-hours at 2000 rpm. Maybe I was darn lucky.
Dan

[CruiserHopeful]

Any updates?

I'm having the exact same issue, and am curious what the final fix was before I tear my engine down 100%

http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/showthread.php?p=18951&posted=1#post18951