Triumph 2500 tc

[Pints]

Hi everyone my brother has posted on here a couple of times regarding problems my Triumph has had, which you guys have kindly solved both times (correctly diagnosed a faulty prop last time)
So I'm on here hoping someone can shed some light on my latest head scratcher!
Over the last 6 months I've replaced the head gasket and cylinder head. Also replaced/repaired anything that was required, during the process.
She's running really well, probably the best I've known but one concerning thing is that it is using a lot of oil.
There aren't any visible leaks, no pools on the drive.
No oil in the water that I can see.
As I say, she running brilliantly which makes this all the more strange. If anyone has any ideas, it'll be hugely appreciated!
Thanks guys

 

[Rannsachair]

Lovely cars.

I suspect you will have already checked the obvious - If no visible external leaks- Is it smoky or plugs oily when you check them?

Did you change valves/guides? Am guessing you would get an indication of any bore wear when you had the head off?

 

[merryman]

How much is "a lot"? I bought an MG Metro new in the 1980s that did circa 850 miles per pint. Complained to the garage I got it from, "anything over 750 miles per pint is normal sir" When I finally stripped it for the dreaded idler gear rattle, I found it had special pistons with very narrow rings, only fitted to a few MGs. Point is, what is normal for pre 90s engines is not the "I never need to look at the dipstick between oil changes" of modern stuff. If it is using and not leaking, it is burning it, through valve guide seals, which usually shows as a puff of smoke on deceleration, or rings.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I was going to suggest valve stem seals. But was beaten to it.

I guess it is being burnt off as you drive.
My mum had a 104, it did the same.

 

[Pints]

Hi thanks for the replies guys,
There a bit of smoke on start up but nothing too concerning
Valves, guides were replaced and bores show no signs of wear.
If the dipstick shows max level oil that would have gone down to near minimum over a couple of days of probably doing 60 miles in the duration, if this helps at all.

 

[merryman]

When you top up jot down the mileage, then note how much oil it needs the next time, and how many miles it has done, but even if it only takes half a pint in 60 miles you should be able to see the blue smoke. A puff on start up is valve guide seals, most were pretty crude on old British engines, I guess so that some oil got through to lubricate the guides, but it looks like you haven't fitted the seals properly when you changed the guides if they are leaking already.

 

[cocker]

Has it got the right dipstick in it ?
Had a works van once , smoked a lot and dripped all the time .
Some dipstick had put a shorter one in .

 

[pedrobedro]

Has it got the right dipstick in it ?
Had a works van once , smoked a lot and dripped all the time .
Some dipstick had put a shorter one in .

I had to put a longer one in ours as the one in it didn't reach the oil Some of the old valve stem oil seals were little more than an O ring and didn't always stay at the bottom of the valve stem so oil leaked down while you were stood. If it's burning that much oil you should be able to smell it as well as see it.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Has it got the right dipstick in it ?

A classic BL Metro issue.

 

[Paul.]

As said a feature of the engine!, I had the PI version of that and wouldn't dare go any distance without a gallon of duckams 20/50 in the boot.

 

[Hopefuldave]

Having been a bit of a petrolhead from an early age, I remember road tests in Autocar etc. listing oil consumption alongside fuel, from new in the 60s a lot of cars were around 400 - 500 miles per pint, 600+ was considered a sign of quality...

Dave H. (the other one)

 

[mr haynes]

What grade of oil are you using? Thin modern stuff gets guzzled at an alarming rate in old engines.
No obvious bore wear doesn't guarantee rings and pistons intact

 

[indy4x]

I would have thought that 60miles to a pint would have given some pretty obvious smoke if it was rings or valve stems?

I had a 2.5PI engined Triumph Spitfire 30yrs ago and yes I carried a can of 20/50 everywhere but pretty sure I could get more than 600 miles to a pint, pity the fuel consumption wasn't in that ball park

 

[RWD3M]

Hi Pints,

I run a 73 GT6 so virtually the same engine. 500 - 1000 miles per pint is the norm for these engines so if you are getting through a pint in a thenth of that and not visibly leaking it then you are burning it somewhere. Valve guides could certainly account for some of it but that sort of consumption is motre likely to be past the pistons. Have you done a compression check yet?

If not, that would be your first step and report back.

Good luck,

Richard.

By the way, if you are not already a member, I can heartily reccommend Club Triumph.

 

[zzr1200]

Be thankful you don't have a series land rover, the only thing you had to do was top up the oil and change the oil filter once a year (maybe), draining the oil wasn't really required...

 

[Farside]

I would have thought that 60miles to a pint would have given some pretty obvious smoke if it was rings or valve stems?

I know from direct experience that 60 miles per pint leaves a nice blue haze in the mirror. It's not enough to be a noticeable smoke screen, but you can definitely see it. The reek of burned oil is quite distinct, too.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Check the rear panels, if it's smoking they'll be covered in a fine, oily coating. By Dad had an A40 Farina, exactly like this

and the oil light used to come on at idle - STP sorted it for a while but the back of the car was minging.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

back of the car was minging

The front is not that good either.

 

[Olderisbetter]

Fantastic looking cars and now quite rare, Guy round the corner from us had one when i was a kid that was a huge chocolate coloured estate with alloys that went through a few changes, Started as a 2000 auto and he put a 2500 with MOD into it which was much nicer but the last time i saw it it was being converted to a V8 the fella must be about 80 now i wonder if he is still about with it? Probably worth a drive across town to have a look.

 

[Olderisbetter]

Spotted this a few days back and had to take a pic.