Boost spike -> Oil leak
 

After 4 glorious boosted years including one replaced moter, I think I finally did the stupidest thing I've ever done.

I was adjusting the wastegate can and forgot to reconnect the tubing. the result was a boost spike at least to 20 psi. I saw it right away and lifted immediatly, but my car still stalled and wouldn't restart for few turns of the key. I was on my way to pick up oil for a quick change before heading out to Vegas. It finally started up. I did the oil change then hit the road. No problems all theway from L.A. to Barstow. I did a quick check under the hood and noticed oil leaking from all over the front of the block.

I figure I blew the head gasket. Now I'm in Vegas but I'll need to get back to LA to get it repaired. If I keep the oil topped off, should I be ok?

Thanks, and Merry Christmas!

I betcha blew the rings and it's coming out of the breather line and various places...

Ok, so I get to get my rebuild for a late Christmas gift, or is it a paperweight? Can I limp it back to L.A.?

ouch, i guess its motor number 2 now.

good luck with that my friend! towing from vegas to LA would not be fun..

Buy a case of oil and plan to clean up one hella crazy mess including the IC and plumbing when you're done.

Umm, it's still running fairly well. Is it going to go thermonuclear if I try to drive it back?

Stuff like that is going to be up to you. We can't judge how well it is running from here. If you're worried to a quick compression check to see how bad things really are. Then make your own educated decision.

Understood. Before I can make an educated guess, I need a bit of an education from someone who might have a bit more experience.

Checked the breather hose, clean as a whistle. I'll check the pipes in the morning. No White smoke at all, but I see what might be oil residue on my rear bumper. As far as I can tell, the only indication i have that something happened is the oil leak and the oil residue all over the front of my engine.

I'll check comppression befoere I leave, but for now, is this typical of a Miata with blown piston rings and/or unrepairable internal damage? I was planning on a rebuild this Spring, but no biggie if I have to get it done in January.

Meh, just gonna enjoy the Christmas with the family and decide on Wednesday.

Thanks!

If it isn't baying smoke out the exhaust yet, it hasn't gone to hell. But expect it to go to hell soon.

it's possible that you boosted the crankcase and shot the front main, oil pump, and/or cam seals. If you breather and compressor outlet are oil free and you aren't burning oil than it's likely not the rings.

anyone with a miata in the vegas area? maybe someone can help FHS out

+1.... make sure to check your radiator fluid... if that fizzes up and builds up a lot, then you def have broken head gasket.... at least that's what i experienced

Meh, yeah, as far as I can tell the oil is leaking just from the front of the block. My oil pressure was constant at just under 60 of whatever the miata stock oil gauge reads. It looks like it's acting the way it always acts. If I damaged the oil pump, would the oil pressure gauge show it or could the engine just lock without any warning?

Thanks Goku, one more thing to check. :vash:

sure you didn't leave the oil cap off? that would suck to have to admit that now.


if you are gonna drive it home like that i suggest propping the waste gate fully open.

That was my first thought Paul, but no.

I was trying to say that you may have popped the seal on the oil pump... it wouldn't be on the pressure side though since that is an o-ring seal. The pump itself isn't going to get damaged that easily.

Ok, did as much diagnosis as I could on Christmas day with nothing open but the liquor store. :)

I lost around 2 quarts of oil on the 300 mile trip to Vegas:

1. There was oil in the intake pipe, maybe 10 mls.
2. There was oil in the hot side pipes. The pipes were coated and there was maybe 20 mls pooled before the intercooler.
3. I pulled the plugs. All 4 were dry and looked good.
4. Still no visible blue smoke from the exhaust. There might be white smoke but it's cold here in Vegas and there is nothing obviously different from condensation.
5. I checked the radiator while the car was running cold and didn't see any bubbles or notice any change in color/texture. The coolant level was unchanged from before the trip.
6. The front of the block is coated in oil and I can clearly see oil leaking from under the timing belt cover.

The strange thing about this whole experience is that after the spike but before my oil change, I didn't notice any sign of leakage while I was crawling around under the car prepping for the change.

Anyway, I'm planning on doing a compression test tomorrow but I've never done one before. I'm guessing I can just run to Autozone to pick up a tester. I'll have to pull the plugs, unplug the coils, and disable the injectors (I'm assuming I can just unplug each one or do I have to disable the whole fuel system?). Anything else?

Thanks again!

Ouch man... fuck

Similar thing happend to me and thank god i dont need a new motor, except my mbc had come apart and i only boosted to about 13lbs before i saw it and let off.

Gl

I still think your rings are compromised.