Found in the sump.

[Pdv]

Hi All,

I started to clean my replacement engine today, it had obviously been leaking oil for quite some time as it came covered in oil mixed with dirt, such that I could scrape it off with a putty knife. Reason for the leak, the sump bolts were not done up tight.

So having removed the sump there was a residue of oil left and as I drained it into a tub this fell out with the oil.

I really don't know what it may have come from, the engine is a 1500 which would have been fitted to the Dolomite 1500 cars.

Thanks for any help.

Steve

[Bfg]

The only spring of that sorta size which comes to mind (within an engine) is that of the pressure relief valve. 

I don't know what type of timing chain tensioner you have in that engine, but this spring looks too small for that (..bearing in mind only those I'm familiar with). 

Pete

[Clive]

Not timing chain tensioner, they are a flat bit of spring steel about an inch wide. 

Agree, looks like a PRV spring, though how it got in the sump I have no idea. Unless somebody put the spring and plunger the wrong way round?

[Sparky_Spit]

Definitely a PRV spring.  Which means that the plunger is rattling up and down now with nothing to hold it against its seat?

[Pdv]

I used to have a 1500 and I had a tidy up recently and you guessed it got rid of the Haynes manual.

So please excuse my ignorance but not sure where the PRV is, help would be appreciated.

Steve

[Wagger]

Pressure Relief Valve, I hope.

[NonMember]

30 minutes ago, Pdv said:

So please excuse my ignorance but not sure where the PRV is, help would be appreciated.

left side of the block, low down, close to the distributor pedestal and oil filter. It's a big long hex that sticks out.

[Pdv]

 Hi Non member, had just found a pdf on replacing it.

Thanks for the post.

Steve

[JohnD]

How the ¥¢={° did that get into the sump?   The spring is on the other side of the valve from any access to the sump.    Unless the valve, or it's seating had broken up, but you will find out when you go to replace it.  OR, someone put it in the wrong way around!

John

[Pete Lewis]

agree with john  the only way into the sump is if it was fitted wrong side of the valve plunger and the valve seat is big enough for the spring to pass into the sump

all a bit worrying   whats the rest of the engine going to reveal ????

Pete

[dougbgt6]

When rebuilding my engine I did keep "things" in the newly cleaned sump I can see how an item mighty get overlooked.

Doug

[Pdv]

Hi All,

Well having removed the valve this is what I  found.

Not the same length, obviously or width?, also when I undid the valve it took just a tap on the spanner to move it and little effort to undo it, so been undone in the past.

Makes you wonder what else I will come across. 

Thanks 

Steve  

[Pdv]

Forgot to add that ii all came out as expected.

Will replace the spring as advised in the Service Manual (with reference to the original post forgot I have the 13/60/Spitfire manual.

Steve 

[dougbgt6]

It's not a particularly high torque and I do recall there was a go faster spring on Rimmers, it was just a little bit longer.

Doug

[Clive]

Not a great idea to use an "uprated" spring as it only controls the oil pressure to be in the correct range. Too high an oil pressure is not helpful at all. And as low oil pressure is caused by (usually) worn crank bearings, it won't improve that at all. Unless the spring is knackered, in which case a new standard spring is all that is required. 

[dougbgt6]

Indeed! I was wondering if this WAS the uprated spring, in which case get rid of it!

Doug

[Steve P]

Back in the day, i put a washer behind the spring to imrove oil pressure on my Mini before i sold it.Deception?! no a performance improvement.

S

[johny]

Unfortunately any of these mods only changes the maximum pressure you can get not the minimum which is usually the more worrying☹️

[Pete Lewis]

theres nothing like lets keep a spare one in the sump   !!!!!

bigger............... is one of the worst nmyths we come across to cause headaches later on 

at least you found it 

Pete

[dougbgt6]

26 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said:

bigger............... is one of the worst nmyths we come across

i keep telling the ladies that.

Doug

[Pete Lewis]

its the pils you know      wreck all that 

Pete

[daverclasper]

Apart from the blue ones

[PeteH]

I have 2 Blue (and white) ones twice a day?, along with................................................... A shed load (well 4) "others". Occasionally the Pharmacy change them to yellow, just for the hell of it I think?.

P.S. anyone else keep getting the E-Mails offering performance enhancing medications?. My Spam box seems to be full of it.

Pete

 

[Anglefire]

23 minutes ago, PeteH said:

I have 2 Blue (and white) ones twice a day?, along with................................................... A shed load (well 4) "others". Occasionally the Pharmacy change them to yellow, just for the hell of it I think?.

P.S. anyone else keep getting the E-Mails offering performance enhancing medications?. My Spam box seems to be full of it.

Pete

 

I don't look  - but I have had two texts that say they are from the NHS and that there is a letter that I need to read - with a helpful link.  Given that I am waiting for one, I thought I'd have a look later as I was at work and very busy - forgot and got the second a few days later. Being a bit more awake I thought very odd. So checked the NHS app - nothing! So it is another scam - makes my blood boil - not for me, I very rarely click on that sort of link regardless, but for others that are not necessarily that untrusting and cynical.

[ahebron]

Lost a piston once, big hole in the side of the block but no piston outside the engine.
Once the engine had cooled down I put my hand in the hole but still no piston.
We all know a piston will not drop into a sump with a baffle plates so where was the piston.
Started to strip the engine down to remove what was left of the engine and I found the piston.
It was in one of the airfilters in lots of tiny pieces.
Valves were probably shot as well.