hey folks. was out for a quick jaunt this evening in the RX (mudrat's old car) and about 15 minutes into the drive I feel the car studder/hesitate/lurch ever so slightly; this was at about 75... it did it two or three times. Then I start to loose acceleration ability and I am able to notice the oil pressure dropping a bit. Since it's dark I don't notice the HUUUUGE billowing smoke cloud behind me until I pass underneath a few street lamps (i live in the boonies). But then the smoke dissipates and sorta comes & goes during my prompt and direct drive home.

 

I had a few hills to conqur on the way, and the motor strained to pull the car up all of 'em. Oil pressure would drop to almost 0 at idle, and would be less than 45 while I was making my way home. About 5-10minutes after the initial studders I begun to hear a quiet ticking/tapping noise coming from the engine; which I guessed to be the top end starting to complain due to insufficient oil. Engine would also backfire randomly during "cruise", something it never did before. But never once during the drive did I hear any sort of "BANG" or "POP" or pounding sound or anyting to indicate that I'd broken any of the vital internal parts.

 

So in the end I managed to limp home, poped the hood, and got some oil into the engine. Started the car (yes, it did turn over).... still rough running, still ticking, no smoke though, and OilPress didn't really rise as it had previous times. A dipstick check revealed that there was MORE than enough oil in the Crankcase. I looked at the tailpipe and there was liquid oil ALL over the inside.

 

Oddly enough the engine & its bay was prettymuch oil free, same with turbo and whatever else. This leads me to believe that it was something internal, and probably important... a piston ring (or two), or perhaps a seal somewhere.

 

My question to you all (John included) is WTF happened!?! It's too dark right now for me to dive into it, and besides I gotta work tomorrow. But I'd like to know what I'm up against. I was scared that in driving home one instant the whole show would be over and I'd be looking at a hole in the side of the block. Any guesses from you guys? I'm good with basic and overall mechanical principles, but I need to learn each different car/engine as I go. TIA, I owe ya'll a big one for this...

 

take care

 

-Rob

exhaust valve, rings,cam seals...in that order

 

 

just a guess.if i win do i get something:drunk: lol

exhaust valve bent, stuck....? any remedies? I'd sooner have cam seals over rings

 

I'll FedEx you a beer if I ever get this problem fixed :-\

grrrr, stinkin' Sube

im betting on rings man. do a compression test and post results.

 

 

 

 

~Josh~