The 'E' Type Forum

I have just changed the oil and filter on my S1 3.8 FHC.

All very straightforward, however a couple of hangover items:
1. I hadnt noticed before the amount of rubbish coming out of the tail pipes after idling and then blipping the throttle. It quickly clears, but is more grey brown than white and not something that has occured before. I decided I had overfilled the engine (found to of put 1 litre too much in) so drained that out. However problem persists so far - will this clear or could it be more sinister - valve guides, rings etc!! Odd that it has occured after an oil change. Oil pressure is 40lbs at 3k RPM.
2. I have had a small leak from the pipe that runs from the filter housing to the sump (relief valve pipe?). I have tightened up the jubilee on either end of the rubber pipe (is this standard fitment?). It seemed to be weeping from the top jubilee, which seems odd given the nature of gravity. I believe there is a brass fitting that fits into the oil filter housing that this pipe is connected to - could this be the issue and any experienece of tightening/resealing this - its a bit of a pain to get to so only one to get in there when I know what I am doing.

All help advice gratefully recieved.

You do not say what oil you have used for the change. If you use synthetic or semi-synthetic, you will have excessive oil usage and in all probablity clear evidence of burning. Mineral 20/50 is the ideal, but 15/40 is perfectly usable. These engines always use oil, and as they wear the common usage is down the valve guides, hence blue smoke under high vacuum conditions such as during gear changes or on a trailing throttle . Frankly, provided you get 150 or more miles per pint, it is nothing to worry about.

As far as your hose leakage is concerned , the most likely culprit is a gradually delaminating and/or cracking hose . The first thing I would do is change this before worrying about it further

That was my overnight thought - I used Morris' Gold Film 30. Therefore not a multi grade, recommended for classics, although maybe not ideal for performance classics.

I think I will change it for a multi grade and see whether that sorts.

Starting with the pipe makes sense.

Thanks

Interesting . I would not have thought that the Morris 30 would have been that unsuitable given that the XKs always used either straight 30 or 40 before multigrades came along. I would run it for a bit to see what consumption you get, and if it is excessive, then try a change to 20/50 . Just one suggestion : these cars have a large volume exhaust system and it takes quite a lot of running to get them really warm. Until they are, a lot of condensation gets blown out, and this might account for the visual effects you have noted

Ok, I will bash on for a bit. Thanks for the advice.

Update on this, I changed the oil to Halfords Classic and the smokeness has disappeared. Strange but true!!

Thanks