| 96rdstr |
05-06-2008 09:55 AM |
so I got one of the biggest scares of my life.
I installed the MS on Friday, but I dont get to really tinker on the car until Sunday afternoon. I had to get my round of golf in 1st.:) Anyway, I proceed to remove the MAF and install the IAT, no sweat. I redo the intake plumbing and for some lame ass reason I remove the breather line from the valve cover and cap it off. So I start the car for the 1st time with the MS. The car cranks for a second then fires right up. Sweet! I start adjusting the timing. A few seconds later, I happen to look and there is oil all over the place. Think Exxon Valdez, although it was only about 1/8th of a quart. I quickly shut the car off and I see oil weeping from the turbine housing. Of course the 1st thing that comes to mind is always seeing Scott's post about pressurized crankcases and bad rings. I felt the doom come over me. I kept thinking I never have had ring issues, and I haven't been able to push the car into boost to pressurize the crankcase. I pulled the #4 plug and sure enough the plug is lightly coated in oil, but all the other plugs are A-OK, clean as a whistle. I figure I had nothing to lose, so I decided that I would remove and clean the compressor housing which was full of oil, and replace the breather line that I removed. I started the car and it smoked, although not as bad as it was on Sunday. I did the remainder of the MS set up, and I took the car out. I pulled onto one of the main boulevard and lightly accelerated killing all the mosquitos for blocks. As I kept driving I kept watching the oil pressure, Megatune and the boost vac gauge. Everything seemed fine. The car was burning less oil. I then hopped onto the intersate and drove about 30 miles at a constant 70mph. Watched the AF, oil pressure, gauges, and everything seemed fine. The car had good power, although I have not ventured into boost yet. I return home and shut the car off. At that point there wasn't anymore white smoke. I drove it this morning to take my son to school, and thank the Miata and MS gods, the car is perfect. No smoking, it idles perfect. Nothing. I dont know the reasoning behind it, I have never looked into the breather line. I have heard from some people that capping off the nipple didnt do anything adverse. It seems in my case that it would not allow the turbo to drain the oil, and what didn't leak through the seals was draining into the #4 cylinder and exhaust.
And that folks is my 1st real FI scare. Thanks for reading.
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