I took my car to the inspection station today. It failed due to extremely high carbons in the exhaust emissions. I noticed, too, that the whole time I was out the oil pressure gauge was all over the place (very low all the time, rarely getting to where it should be at idle). So when I got home I decided to check the oil. The dip stick was bone dry. Now, I just changed the oil 700 miles ago (Mobil 1 tri-synth 10w30). The oil pan and oil filter are both where they should be, and there are no spots on the driveway or in the garage.

So where'd my oil go? The mechanics who put in the new engine think that the rings may not have sealed or that it's getting so hot it's just burning it off (thus explaining the high carbons in my exhaust).

I saw no leaks and doubt that I have one (seeing how the new engine is only about 1500 miles old) -- unless it's only leaking at high pressures, like while I'm driving.

Anyone ever hear of anything like this? I'm stumped. I added more oil to the engine and now it's idling well and the oil pressure is normal. Is it safe to drive it over the weekend? I'm not taking it back to the shop until Monday, and sorta need transportation this weekend. I'm thinking about just carrying around a few quarts with me everywhere I go, just in case.


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Maverick
1989 Formula 350 TPI
5spd Tremec 3550/TKO
several suspension mods

 

I would think it is alright to drive if you have been for 1500 miles, just keep checking the oil level and make sure its got enough. You don't see any smoke or anything from the exhaust? Some guy came into my store today with the same problem, he said his oil was evaporating =p

 

Did you break the new engine in with NON synthetic oil? If not, that could be your problem. Who installed the engine and where did you get it from?

 

Yeah, I drove it for approx. 800 miles with regular oil before switching over to synethic. I was originally told to change over to synthetic after 500 miles, but I figured I'd put additional miles on it just in case.

I've noticed no blue/black smoke coming from the exhaust. There's a lot of white smoke coming from it, though. It smells pretty bad too.

The parts and labor are still under warranty and the engine will be checked out tomorrow. I got the work done at Westwood Auto. The engine was custom built from the ground up. I'll post a followup as soon as they pull the engine and let me know what's going on.

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Maverick
1989 Formula 350 TPI
5spd Tremec 3550/TKO
several suspension mods

 

Westwood did your engine?

I have heard some BAD things about that place. My buddy had a 383 LS1 engine doen there and they really F'd it up.

I just hope it is ok.

 

Well, the engine and work are guaranteed for 1 full year. If the engine is burning oil at an alarming rate and my emissions are that high, when I was told from the get-go that I would be emissions legal, then the shop that did the work is bound by contract to fix the engine free of charge (unless a non-related part went bad -- like an oxygen sensor or EGR valve or exhaust manifold, or something like that).

While I've had some minor problems with the engine, I still have faith in the Westwood guys -- mostly because I have no choice at the moment seeing how they've already been paid for the parts and labor. The 2 guys at the shop seem to play good cop/bad cop -- one is very personable and seems to know what's going on, the other is kinda rude and seems like he can't be bothered -- which can get annoying. But that's the only negative thing I've experienced there.

Who knows? What other kind of stuff have you heard about them, if you don't mind my asking?

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Maverick
1989 Formula 350 TPI
5spd Tremec 3550/TKO
several suspension mods

 

Well, if you look their site, you will see the LS1 engine. I guess it knocks like a wood pecker. The owner was not too happy with it.

A buddy of mine had some gears installed, TWICE. They screwed them up royally the first time.

I have heard that the guy that owns the place is a real nice guy, offers great prices. The guy that does the work is kind of a jerk. That is what others have told me.

I guess they are more keen to Mustang stuff rather than GM stuff.

 

From my experience it's the other way around. The guy that does most of the work is pretty laid back and cool, while the owner is sort of a *****.

Which LS1 belongs to your friend? The T/A? I was talking to the owner on Friday and he told me that T/A is back in the shop again. Why? It was burning oil (though he was using 5w15, and I used 10w30.. still new engines shouldn't be burning 4-5 quarts of oil in under 1000 miles).

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Maverick
1989 Formula 350 TPI
5spd Tremec 3550/TKO
several suspension mods