Hi I brought a vlct off a bloke on here. Apparently the motor was rebuilt 30,000 ks ago. The reciept says it had a bore and hone, forged pistons, acl rings, a head gasket and few more things. The block is just a6. On the reciept it also says block has been acid dipped which it has. Ne way the car was blowing smoke and I thought maybe a turbo seal had gone. I did a compression test on it and and all the compression ratios were all over joint. The highest being 110 and the lowest being 60 which kept fowling plugs. I've pulled motor out and takin the head off. The pistons dnt say nothing on them at all on them but they look different to standard. If it was bored wouldn't they have a number? Also they have a slight bit of movement. Alot more then standard. Is this because there forgies and they expand? I'm only new to this engine stuff. I have put an n/a engine in car for bow just for red p plate laws. Ne help about this motor would be much appreciated. Thanks dan

hi there dan was it a white VL SL ?? yes forgies do need to expand a bit more then normal. No sometimes the marking are under the skirt etc . Maybe it has the wrong size pistons / rings to suit the bore . Use a micrometer to measure the bore size and the try to see if u can get a measurement of the piston . If not u might have to take the sump off and take a rod off and push it up the cylinder gently . Use this to work out you correct compression ratio u might have to use some metho and a beaker with a perspect square on the end to measure the head room u have in the cylinder head allso, unless u take it to the engine shop they can measure it for u and also measure the springs for peace of mind . Cheers Rob ---------- Post added 31-01-11 at 21:42 ---------- are u getting smoke, oil, or excessive pressure comming out of you dipstick . Place you finger over it to tell " to check the blow by past the rings". Does the smoke seem to slow down after the engines warmed up i had the same issue with Rb motor awhile ago. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

G'day mate. It was a Maroon over silver Calais. Okay ill try get some measurement and ill post them up. It was only blowing smoke over bout 3 grand. Somtimes it stopped then wen I backed off it would poor out. It was very weird. Ill pull it down a lil further tomorrow night. Thanks for ur help mate. Ill keep u updated. I might even just take it to someone.

what colour smoke may i ask , U might running it rich as all **** , what injectors and fuel pump do u have. The reason i say that , its because u keep fouling plugs ( is the bridge gap set right u cant just bang em in there and what heat rating are they) and its it smoking only when its spooling or loads applied . Atleast u dont have smoke from idle that would be a dead turbo seal giveaway ---------- Post added 31-01-11 at 22:07 ---------- Symptom: Gray or blue smoke from the exhaust. You notice gray smoke coming from the exhaust when you start your car. The smoke may or may not disappear after the car is warmed. If it is, it is less noticeable. The smoke may have a bluish tint to it. Possible causes: The engine's piston rings may be worn. The Fix: Replace piston rings. (Generally not a DIY job) The engine's valve seals may be worn. The Fix: Replace valve seals. (Generally not a DIY job) Damaged or worn valve guides. The Fix: Replace valve guides. (Not a DIY job) Symptom: Engine uses more oil than normal, and there is some smoke from the exhaust. The oil level is low between oil changes. It appears that the oil is being burned by the engine because of the smoke in the exhaust. You may or may not notice the engine doesn't have the same power as it used to. Possible causes: The PCV system is not working properly. The Fix: Replace PCV valve. The engine may have mechanical problems. The Fix: Check compression to determine engine condition. The engine's piston rings may be worn. The Fix: Replace piston rings. (Generally not a DIY job) The engine's valve seals may be worn. The Fix: Replace valve seals. (Generally not a DIY job) ---------- Post added 31-01-11 at 22:08 ---------- Symptom: White smoke or water vapor from the exhaust. You notice white smoke coming from the exhaust when you start your car. If it is cold out, this may be normal. If the smoke does not disappear after the car is warmed, you have a problem. Possible causes: Transmission fluid may be entering the intake manifold through vacuum modulator. The Fix: Replace vacuum modulator Cylinder head gasket(s) may be bad. The Fix: Replace cylinder head gasket(s). Cylinder head(s) may be warped or cracked. The Fix: Resurface or replace cylinder heads. (Resurfacing is not a DIY job) The engine block may be cracked. The Fix: Replace engine block. ---------- Post added 31-01-11 at 22:09 ---------- Symptom: Black smoke from the exhaust. You notice black smoke coming from the exhaust when you start your car. The smoke may or may not disappear after the car is warmed. If it is, it is less noticeable. Engine may or may not be running rough or misfiring. Possible causes: If you have a carburetor, the carburetor choke may be stuck closed. The Fix: Repair or replace choke. Fuel injectors may be leaking. The Fix: Replace fuel injectors. You may have a dirty air filter: Replace the air filter. There may be some other type of ignition problem. The Fix: Check distributor cap and rotor. Ignition module may be bad. ---------- Post added 31-01-11 at 22:09 ---------- not every thing here is applicable for you here but its some good info cheers Rob Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

thanks rob. the smoke it blowing is blue. theres even oil splattered on the back of car after a drive. i have a feeling that the turbo seal is gone as well beacause there was oil in my cooler piping. the 6th cylinder which was the one foweling plugs had a really low compression ratio. wen i pulled head off there was even oil in it. makes me think that the rings are gone. ill pull the pistons out tonight and see how they are.

Yes if its only 60 psi and oil everywhere your rings are definately gone mate time for a rebuild. Have you been running too much boost or something?

probly wasnt run in right and glazed the bores, give it a slight hone with new rings and it should bed in fine.

Yer I thought it was the rings. Well the bloke I brought it off said he only ran 10psi so wether that's true or not. Yer ill give it a hone and new rings and see how we go