Suzuki Club UK

Hi All,
Well as you know the vitara engine self destructed on me a couple of months ago and so it was replaced with a standard 1.3 which ran fine for shall we say....well not long (1 day).I originally thought that it was running very rich as it had the carb from the vitara fitted but i have just been out and dipped the oil and its dry! This engine has burned its full contents in 2 outings on a pay and play so am i right in thinking its knackered or can it be revived cheaply? I recently did a compression test and the readings across all 4 cylinders were around the same and so didnt think anything of it. The engine starts really easy and runs well and shows only a little back pressure from the breather on the top of the rocker cover.The exhaust smokes from start up and carries on smoking all the time and the back of the exhaust is wet with oil. Could this be valve stem seals or do i bite the bullet and get another engine?

To lose that much oil....I'm not sure how that could happen really. Sounds like there's something up with the sump almost. I doubt you could lose a full load of oil through your piston rings or a crack in the block.

The last 1.6 I had in mine needed oil 3 times a day The rings had gone and it was going to take to long to get replacements so I just put another lump in

The engine runs well and is as dry as a bone as regards to any leaks so the oil is definately being burned.There is no overheating and no mixture of oil and water and water level has remained at the same level. I dont have any history as to mileage or servicing as it was bought as a donor engine and all i know is that the engine had been stood for quite a while but was assured that it was all good before it was removed.The engine seems to have all its power still and is very quiet and like i say there does not seem to be any noticeable problems.

I only knew i had a problem as the chap behind me on the trip told me over the cb he couldn't see me for smoke. The engine felt fine was smooth and pulled really well

It sounds as though maybe the rings then so i will have to see about re-ringing it then but it also gives me an excuse to put the vitara head on aswell while its all apart?

Just because there is no oil on the dipstick, doesn't mean there's no oil left between the 2 marks on the dipstick is about a litre of oil so if its off the bottom you might've only used 1.5l? Top it up and see how much it takes.

might as well do the rings if you have the engine apart

ScottieJ wrote:Just because there is no oil on the dipstick, doesn't mean there's no oil left between the 2 marks on the dipstick is about a litre of oil so if its off the bottom you might've only used 1.5l? Top it up and see how much it takes.

might as well do the rings if you have the engine apart

I will top it up tomorrow and see how much it has used as like you say it might only take 1.5l to top it up but i still have the problem of it burning oil somehow. Been talking to a few people and they reckon that if the engine has been stood it could be down to valve stem seals going brittle as the engine is still showing good compression so might not be the rings?

I would go for valve stem seals. You can actually change them without splitting the head from the block although I've never tried it that way myself.

im gonna have a 1300 lump up for sale in next few weeks 77k on clock runs well doent use oil £150 ono