So, many of you may be familiar (and if you aren't, you should be) of the infamous issue that e30's (m20s to be specific) have when a head goes back on after being removed. SOMETIMES that headgasket doesn't seal due to bolting sequence or something (what is the actual reason?) and ends up dripping oil down the side of the engine the whole time you're driving/running. (passenger side front corner)
Well, for about 2 years I've had this issue. I've dealt with it, disliked it - but dealt with it. I would usually put a qt in every 2-2.5k miles, due to this leak. And you can see the oil all over the side of my engine and underneath my car (joy! haha).
Anywho - this last weekend I did two days at Mid America Motorplex. On my drive home (450 miles one way) I had to top off my oil 1 quart. The kicker here is, I did the same on Friday afternoon when I drove to Omaha. So, in roughly 2.1 days, I went through a quart of oil!! It's worth noting that since my engine started leaking like this, I've only done 1 day HPDE's - so this is my first 2 day-er with this leak. I did MAM in 06 with the stock eta engine, and Hastings in 07 with my stroker, but before the leak started (I created the leak...stupid long story...lol).
A few aspects I'm considering:
- My drain for my oil seperator (from an e30 m3, and drained back into pan) does not seal very well - it's possible the consistant high rev's kept oil pressure high and pushed oil out of here
- The consistantly high oil pressure forced more oil out of the headgasket leak than normal
- I'm burning it cause of worn rings (comp test this weekend) - or it's getting past the oil seperator (no one complained of smoke)
Any other thoughts? My first, and most hopeful, thought is the elevated oil pressure basically pushing out a qt of oil out the leak in 2 days. I drove a solid 200+ miles on probably 65-70% full throttle, so I could see that as a possibility.
Anyone else have this issue? Seemed excessive to me.
This winter, I am fixing it once and for all! LOL
I'll now open the floor to brainstorming.
Well, for about 2 years I've had this issue. I've dealt with it, disliked it - but dealt with it. I would usually put a qt in every 2-2.5k miles, due to this leak. And you can see the oil all over the side of my engine and underneath my car (joy! haha).
Anywho - this last weekend I did two days at Mid America Motorplex. On my drive home (450 miles one way) I had to top off my oil 1 quart. The kicker here is, I did the same on Friday afternoon when I drove to Omaha. So, in roughly 2.1 days, I went through a quart of oil!! It's worth noting that since my engine started leaking like this, I've only done 1 day HPDE's - so this is my first 2 day-er with this leak. I did MAM in 06 with the stock eta engine, and Hastings in 07 with my stroker, but before the leak started (I created the leak...stupid long story...lol).
A few aspects I'm considering:
- My drain for my oil seperator (from an e30 m3, and drained back into pan) does not seal very well - it's possible the consistant high rev's kept oil pressure high and pushed oil out of here
- The consistantly high oil pressure forced more oil out of the headgasket leak than normal
- I'm burning it cause of worn rings (comp test this weekend) - or it's getting past the oil seperator (no one complained of smoke)
Any other thoughts? My first, and most hopeful, thought is the elevated oil pressure basically pushing out a qt of oil out the leak in 2 days. I drove a solid 200+ miles on probably 65-70% full throttle, so I could see that as a possibility.
Anyone else have this issue? Seemed excessive to me.
This winter, I am fixing it once and for all! LOL
I'll now open the floor to brainstorming.
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