[TR] Big Blow By -- TR3A

[wbeech at flash.net]

I should think you will see traces of failue if it is indeed the head
gasket.  Have you given the head and the #4 valves a good check and test?
Stand the head on edge with the ports facing up and pour some gas into them
and look for a leak.  Maganaflux the head, could be a crack that you can't
see when it is cold.

If you broke a ring, I should look for signs of scoring in the bore.  You
didn't mention if this is something that came on quickly or over time.  A
burned piston will usually leave debris on the plug electrode.  You might
even pour an inch of gas into the cylinder and see how fast it seeps
through, don't forget to change the oil.

This is a perfect example as to why everyone should have a spare TR in the
garage, enjoy your TR4 this weekend.

All the best,
Bill

Bill Beecher
'58 TR3A TS/30766L "Tarbaby"
'62 TR3B TCF/2549L " Aunt B" (in rehab)
www.triumphowners.com/1566
'68 Land Rover Series IIa 88" "The Beast"
"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit
there"  Will Rodgers



-----Original Message-----
From: triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net
[mailto:triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Geo Hahn
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 7:31 PM
To: Triumphs
Subject: [TR] Big Blow By -- TR3A

My TR3A engine is blowing lots of smelly but only slightly visible fumes out
of the breather tube.  Enough that is was clearly noticeable to those
unfortunate enough to be following me when I got on it.  My interpretation
was a massive amount of blow-by from one or more cylinders.

A compression check yielded:

1 - 135#
2 - 140#
3 - 135#
4 - 85#

Adding oil into #4 did not raise compression at all so I thought it unlikely
to be the rings.

A leak down test on #4 sent copious amounts of air out the breather tube.

Took the head off this morning -- no hole in #4 piston and the gasket shows
no noticeable (to my eye) signs of failing around #4 cylinder.

Anyway, head gasket failures I have had have always been either coolant into
the cylinder or combustion products into the coolant -- the rim of the
cylinder is a (relatively) long way from the oil galleys.

I will note that the projection of the liners above the deck is very slight
so I do plan to use 'Randall's Fire Ring' 26awg copper wire enhancement on
the next gasket.

Now my choices -- put an 'improved' head gasket back on, torque the head
down and do another leak-down test or...

Open up the bottom end and push #4 piston out to see what the rings look
like.

Would a broken ring produce the problem & numbers I am seeing?

Is there something else I am completely missing?

Thanks for any advice, guesses or sympathy.

Geo

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