I learned something in real life today so I figured I'd share.
I had honed and re-ringed a cub a few years ago after which I had compression of ~120 in all cylinders. Over time and with just "fun" use -no real work- the blue smoke has gotten worse and worse. Lots of blue smoke at anything over idle, oil residue out of the muffler, and even oil on the head around the spark plugs. Don't know how that's possible, but there it is.
We all know that rings cause the burning oil but I did some research on the leak down test and was intrigued that I can check valve condition, head gasket, and rings. Check it out:
Cylinder compression Leak down test
1 105 40
2 112 85
3 110 32
4 110 94
So the compression is good but still bad shape on 2 cylinders. For the bad ones air was coming out the oil fill but also the valves, mostly exhaust. I did do a manual valve cut and lap but, you know, I'm an amateur and to my eyes it looked good. The compression test was done by spinning the motor with the starter. It makes sense that it is that high as each compression stroke bumps the pressure up a bit until it reaches steady state.
Regardless, the valves will improve power but that's not a problem. The oil burning is. I will replace the rings again. So what went wrong? I can't say for sure. I used plenty of assembly lube, but I gave lots of demos of engine operation to my kids (and me) by spinning the open motor with a right angle drill. Also, I know I did not prime the pump properly, although I was watching the pressure gauge on startup and it came up quickly.
I honed with the straight stone-type hone and did not get the nice cross-hatch pattern I get with the ball-type I use now. So that may have contributed.
The motor starts instantly and runs like a top. But the oil is bad enough now that we don't want to drive it. We will do the rings with the motor in place and will reveal results.
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Compression test vs Leak down test
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Compression test vs Leak down test
2005 Legacy XL subcompact w/loader/backhoe/PHD/60" deck/DR logsplitter w/ 4-way wedge
1984 Allis Chalmers 912H
1951 Farmall Cub
New Cub-Frankie: 1948 engine; 1954 back half
1984 Allis Chalmers 912H
1951 Farmall Cub
New Cub-Frankie: 1948 engine; 1954 back half
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Re: Compression test vs Leak down test
measure the bore to make sure it is within specs, it is worn or these old engines the cylinders tend to wear out tapered and need to be bored
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Re: Compression test vs Leak down test
What TST said.
With that kind of compression and pumping oil. My guess is the oil scrapper rings. Could be installed upside down.
With that kind of compression and pumping oil. My guess is the oil scrapper rings. Could be installed upside down.
I have an excuse. CRS.
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Re: Compression test vs Leak down test
Also check the fit of the rings in the ring grooves of the pistons. The grooves could be badly worn. Excess space there turns each piston ring into a little oil pump.
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Re: Compression test vs Leak down test
I didn't know the second ring was an oil wiper ring, I believe the manual merely said second compression ring. Researched how those rings work and wrong-way rings do describe my symptoms. I'm certain I did it the right way but there's only one way to prove it. I will also mic the cylinders now that I have real calipers and bore gauge as well.
Also found a terrific vid by Antique Cars and Stuff channel on YT and I am going to go over the valves again.
Also found a terrific vid by Antique Cars and Stuff channel on YT and I am going to go over the valves again.
2005 Legacy XL subcompact w/loader/backhoe/PHD/60" deck/DR logsplitter w/ 4-way wedge
1984 Allis Chalmers 912H
1951 Farmall Cub
New Cub-Frankie: 1948 engine; 1954 back half
1984 Allis Chalmers 912H
1951 Farmall Cub
New Cub-Frankie: 1948 engine; 1954 back half
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Re: Compression test vs Leak down test
Piston rings shape and design vary by manufacturer. Written instructions or marks on the rings are provided for proper installation.randyny wrote:I didn't know the second ring was an oil wiper ring, I believe the manual merely said second compression ring.
Go by the provided instructions or marks, not the IH Service Manual.
I have an excuse. CRS.
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Re: Compression test vs Leak down test
We opened her up and mic'd the bores. Note that this motor probably has <50 hours on it since I replaced the rings. Oil all over but one cylinder on the head is dry but still messy. All the rings had the taper to the bottom which is anecdotally correct though I do not have the docs from the ring kit. The oil all over the cylinder walls I attribute to pumping 100psi into the block during the leakdown test. I should have fired it up again right after. After wiping down I don't see any crosshatch pattern.
The measurements are over the 2.627 max acceptable but is that really going to cause huge oil leakage?
My plan is to ball hone, check/lap valves, put new rings in. These ones says "STD TOP" on the 2nd rings so no confusion there. If this doesn't reduce smoke considerably I will bore the block but I'd rather not have to go that route. I'm not doing it now because I have another torn down motor in progress. One at a time... - this is just a normal service.
The measurements are over the 2.627 max acceptable but is that really going to cause huge oil leakage?
My plan is to ball hone, check/lap valves, put new rings in. These ones says "STD TOP" on the 2nd rings so no confusion there. If this doesn't reduce smoke considerably I will bore the block but I'd rather not have to go that route. I'm not doing it now because I have another torn down motor in progress. One at a time... - this is just a normal service.
2005 Legacy XL subcompact w/loader/backhoe/PHD/60" deck/DR logsplitter w/ 4-way wedge
1984 Allis Chalmers 912H
1951 Farmall Cub
New Cub-Frankie: 1948 engine; 1954 back half
1984 Allis Chalmers 912H
1951 Farmall Cub
New Cub-Frankie: 1948 engine; 1954 back half
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Re: Compression test vs Leak down test
measure the cylinder in 3 spots, top/ middle and bottom to see if its tapered
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Re: Compression test vs Leak down test
Slip your rings into the bores about 1/2" - 3/4" down from the top of the cylinder and again down near the bottom of the ring travel and measure the end gap. Excessive end gap will allow oil to enter the cylinder bore. When you adjust the end gap on your new rings, do it in the middle of the bore where the wear is minimal and adjust the end gap to the ring manufacturers specs.
1929 Farmall Regular
1935 John Deere B
1937 John Deere A
1941 John Deere H
1952 John Deere B
1953 Farmall Cub
1935 John Deere B
1937 John Deere A
1941 John Deere H
1952 John Deere B
1953 Farmall Cub
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Re: Compression test vs Leak down test
Also, make sure that the ring gaps are clocked 180 degrees from each other when installing. This forces the compression to go around the piston to find the next ring gap.
Ya don't want both gaps lined up allowing a straight path for compression to access the bottom end of the block.
Ya don't want both gaps lined up allowing a straight path for compression to access the bottom end of the block.
184 w/ Creeper & 3-Point
IH 3160a Mower
IH Model 15 Tiller
IH-54 Blade
IH 3160a Mower
IH Model 15 Tiller
IH-54 Blade
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Re: Compression test vs Leak down test
Ring gap calls for .007 - .017. The two worst ones here are .027. Also starting honing it up and it looked great compared to the before condition. I got to cylinder #3 and saw quite a rough patch in the wall. Fine, I need to bore it out. I was just going to hone it up and deal with a boring later in the season. Then I see the rod bearings with copper wear. What does that indicate? Just on the top center of each rod bearing. Oil pressure was good. I really don't get it. I try and do the right thing, got the time, the tools, micrometers, calipers, plastigauge, assembly lube, torque wrenches, service manuals, and I do tons of research on everything. Maybe it's like the guitar for me, and precision assembly is just not my thing. But I'm going to keep on going.
Anyway, I will bring it to the machine shop to see what's what.
Also check out the cylinder 2 piston. Something was bouncing around for quite some time. This was there the first time I took it apart but other than looks, didn't think much of it.
Anyway, I will bring it to the machine shop to see what's what.
Also check out the cylinder 2 piston. Something was bouncing around for quite some time. This was there the first time I took it apart but other than looks, didn't think much of it.
2005 Legacy XL subcompact w/loader/backhoe/PHD/60" deck/DR logsplitter w/ 4-way wedge
1984 Allis Chalmers 912H
1951 Farmall Cub
New Cub-Frankie: 1948 engine; 1954 back half
1984 Allis Chalmers 912H
1951 Farmall Cub
New Cub-Frankie: 1948 engine; 1954 back half
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- Team Cub
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Re: Compression test vs Leak down test
randyny wrote:. . . Then I see the rod bearings with copper wear. What does that indicate? Just on the top center of each rod bearing. Oil pressure was good. . . .
Those two things together make me wonder if somebody decided to make up for wear and get some more life out of the bearings by filing the rod caps down to reduce the clearance. I suggest that you take the connecting rods along to the machine shop so they can verify the condition.
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Re: Compression test vs Leak down test
piston something small was in the cylinder like a small nut/screw ??? probably and the piston took the beating, it most likely went out the exhaust at some point, , check the valve also,check valve side to side play for worn stems and guides, yes the bearing is worn out, rod bearing does not matter for oil pressure much, mostly the main bearings job, by the look of the wear on the bearing I bet that crankshaft journal is out of round
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Re: Compression test vs Leak down test
Looks to me like all the rod bearings showed a similar wear pattern. If only the tops are taking a beating, I'd bet that there are a couple of things are going on. TST mentioned a possible out of round crankshaft journal and I'd add to that a timing issue - where there is early timing (spark occurs prior to TDC) or pre-ignition (spark knock).
184 w/ Creeper & 3-Point
IH 3160a Mower
IH Model 15 Tiller
IH-54 Blade
IH 3160a Mower
IH Model 15 Tiller
IH-54 Blade
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