[TR] Mystery Smoke

[Alex]

Hi John,
Will add it all to the list. I can try removing the cap and observing the
results this week. A pulsing as well as bubbling would also be a sure sign of
a bad head gasket. Hopefully, that is it, as I have a few head gaskets ready
to go.

I am still baffled on the heavy accumulation of water droplets on the carbs
and intake. I think I need to take a picture of this so everyone can see what
I am talking about.
Thanks again,
Alex
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: John Macartney
  To: Alex
  Sent: Monday, November 14, 2011 4:52 AM
  Subject: Re: [TR] Mystery Smoke


  Alex
  Before I re-read your report of the incident, my thoughts centred on the
crankcase breather pipe being covered in oil. I think you need to take a close
look at that and find out why. I'm suspecting some sort of blockage that's
building up crankcase pressure to such an extent that you might be having the
beginnings of a head gasket leak. Under normal circumstances the gasket could
well be sound but if there's a pressure build-up, a fine spray of water is
coming from somewhere. I obviously hope its a gasket and not a cracked head.
  Have you tried running the engine with the radiator cap removed? If you do
that and see there's an obvious 'pulsing' of water in the filler neck, that's
a sure guide the head gasket is going to/already has failed. Report your
findings to the list. This is an interesting one.

  Cheers, Jonmac

  http://standard-triumph-books.co.uk

    From: Alex <ambritts at bellsouth.net>
    To: *Triumphs List <triumphs at autox.team.net>
    Sent: Monday, 14 November 2011, 2:00
    Subject: [TR] Mystery Smoke

    After a 120 mile run trip drive today, my 59 TR3A developed a most
confusing
    issue.

    A club member following behind was engulfed in a cloud of smoke when
returning
    on this 60 mile run. This went on for about 20 miles where at times I
could
    not see his Mini.

    On the first leg of the trip, the car started running rough but would get
to
    speed easily. When parked (at a show) and opening the bonnet, I found the
    intake and carbs coated in water droplets. Completely coated. This has
    happened before but no ones has a clue as to the cause including the top
LBC
    mechanics in the area.

    On the way home is when the major smoking issued occurred. I needed to
keep
    the car at low RPM's to minimize the smoke screen. The smoke appeared to
be
    white as in a steam cloud. What one would expect from a blown head
gasket.
    After the trip, I spoke with my club member who was behind me for 60
miles.
    Even engulfed in smoke, his car had no visible oil coating of any
kind....not
    on his car or windscreen. There was also no smell of smoke or smell of
any
    kind.

    The oil in the sump is clear and clean. No visible water droplets or
milky
    look. Water level in the radiator is about 1" from the cap. There is water
in
    the neck of the radiator. The engine breather pipe is dripping oil which
never
    occurred before. The valve cover cap also showing smoke exiting, which
never
    occurred before. Carbs and intake covered in water droplets. Once before
I
    pulled the air cleaners and the inside of the carbs had the same water
    droplets. That time the car stalled from the water entering the engine.
These
    droplets are definitely from condensation. Oil level consumption in 120
miles
    of 60-70 mph driving about 1/8 of a quart of oil. Oil pressure strong at
about
    55 lbs. Water temp below 180. Car ran rough at idle as one would expect
from a
    bad tank of gas.....water in the gas type of running.

    So before doing the usual tests next weekend...........any ideas or
    suggestions..

    Thanks in advance.

    Alex Manzo
    59 TR3A