I've recently noticed condensation inside the oil cap which caused a little bit of alarm as I immediately thought "oh no, cylinder head gasket
gone". But the oil itself is clean. A mechanic (who happened to be loitering at the time) said it was more than likely breather pipe problems as they
are apparently common on V8s. I've cleaned out the main breather pipe but found very little rubbish in it to cause any blockage and I've still got the
problem. Now I probably ought to point out that the car isn't used that often in the winter time (just the odd journey on decent days and then only for
half-hour at a time). Are V8s known for this kind of problem? I can literally shake droplets of water out from the inside of the oil filler cap. Does the
car need a good long journey to get it thoroughly warmed through? I only ask because I didn't notice the problem last year although I accept it wasn't
nearly as cold with the large variations in temperature. Any help would be gratefully received.
V8 Condensation problems
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 paulo |
V8 Condensation problems |
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Posts: 71 Fri, 13-Feb-2009 14:17 Apprentice mechanic |
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Major Bloodnock |
A possible answer | #1 | ||
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Registered Member
Posts: 304 Fri, 13-Feb-2009 17:16 |
I once new a lad that kept taking his new escort back to the garage repeatedly because of a slimed oil cap due to condensation.
They said they could find nothing wrong but he was having none of it. When he told me about his plight , and me knowing a little about some of this lads habits, I asked him how far away was work. He said barely a mile there and the same coming home. A stone cold engine having some heat put into it will attract mositure. Simply because its in the air. Over such a short distance the engine hasn't a chance to thoroughly warm up and expell the moisture. so vapours I guess mix in the breather cap and along with the oil vapours mix and form a sludge. The young lad changed his driving habits for a while and the oil comtamination went away. I suspect you are suffering something similar. I hope this will help. Regards
Si Via Difficilis Sit. Hanc Eligam!
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OldNoccer |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 520 Sat, 14-Feb-2009 00:21 |
Water in oil is not so bad, oil in the water is much more of a problem !
I think the major is right, the cooling engine has a cunning way to suck air in and then cool further and condense water. Oil floats on water so I suppose the condensed water may lurk in the sump, but lots of short runs makes a nasty 'snotty' mix of oil and water in the breathers and can even mess up the flame traps. The Efi trap is above the rocker cover, but the carb engines have one in the middle of each rocker breather pipe, and they tend to clog. Anyway, its a good excuse for taking it on a decent run. Steve
There's a lot of talk these days about green transport. Well, I am ahead of the game, I already have green transport ... British racing green.
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HYDRAULIC1 |
CONDENSATION | #3 | ||
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Registered Member
Posts: 103 Mon, 16-Feb-2009 17:37 |
I also have a v8 marcos mantula and used to suffer from a similar problem, this was evident when starting the car for the first time after a winter lay up.
The condensation from the exhausts and vapour was always evident, i changed the breathers and
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paulo |
Thanks! | #4 | ||
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Posts: 72 Sun, 22-Feb-2009 17:13 Apprentice mechanic |
Apologies for the delay in responding (snowboarding all last week!) but thanks everyone. I feel a little better about it now as it makes sense. Have to
confess, even my wife suggested this, but I wanted to be sure.
My Marcos is over at Torque Technique in Salisbury at the moment having a new stainless exhaust system fitted with a balance pipe (apparently should add 10 -12 BHP) and new brackets etc fitted. Mick (the proprietor) says she sounds gorgeous so I can hardly wait to pick her up next weekend! I was a bit nervous because whilst the car was ridiculously loud and, quite frankly, ear-splitting at top end, she did have a lovely pop and crackle on the over-run. I hope this hasn't disappeared. However, they needed replacing after about 10 repairs, with the last repair involving strapping a tin can around the two halves that had snapped apart. Didn't look nice from behind with one side almost trailing on the ground. This new system should last me a few years anyway! 
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