Engine Maintainence

[tricky_celica_gt4]

i know you guys probably get asked this all the time, but what sort of oil should i be using for my celica st185?? i've been using fully synthetic, but im getting told that it might be too thin....

also im gettin oil coming out of my dump valve, i know turbos burn some oil but i didn't think it was a major thing that you would see.

one last thing, see either when its really damp or cold, you know the typical scottish weather, my turbo seems very sluggish, until the engine gets really warm. im not boasting when the engine is cold, i sit for 5 maybe 10mins in the mornin let the old girl heat up, then head off, but its a good half hour before the turbo is spooling up properly, if that makes any sense, could someone please advise

thanks

[daktari]

i know you guys probably get asked this all the time, but what sort of oil should i be using for my celica st185?? i've been using fully synthetic, but im getting told that it might be too thin....

Bit of a tricky subject, with several schools of thought. I,ve seen threads ramble on for days about what is or isn't suitable. My own experience is that fuly synthetic is ok provided you use the correct grade. I'm currently using Silkolene PRO S 10w-50 Ester Fully Synthetic.

There's a thread over on gt4oc that I would recommend you read. It's full of useful info on this subject. You may have to register if you're not a member already. Use the search function and type in OIL ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS

also im gettin oil coming out of my dump valve, i know turbos burn some oil but i didn't think it was a major thing that you would see.

This is normal as there is a breather from the rocker cover which feeds back into the air intake. Provided it's not pouring out it shouldn't be a problem. One way round it is to fit an oil catch can.

one last thing, see either when its really damp or cold, you know the typical scottish weather, my turbo seems very sluggish, until the engine gets really warm. im not boasting when the engine is cold, i sit for 5 maybe 10mins in the mornin let the old girl heat up, then head off, but its a good half hour before the turbo is spooling up properly, if that makes any sense, could someone please advise

Not sure about this one. Could be heat soak. Because the intercooler is sat on top of the engine and hot air rises it invariably warms up the I/C at low speeds. Not enough airflow to cool it down. Once you get to a more constant and higher speed air flow increases and the I/C is cooled enough to do it's job. I think this may be your problem.This is one very good reason to fit a FMIC.

thanks

Hope this helps a bit.

[tricky_celica_gt4]

i know you guys probably get asked this all the time, but what sort of oil should i be using for my celica st185?? i've been using fully synthetic, but im getting told that it might be too thin....

Bit of a tricky subject, with several schools of thought. I,ve seen threads ramble on for days about what is or isn't suitable. My own experience is that fuly synthetic is ok provided you use the correct grade. I'm currently using Silkolene PRO S 10w-50 Ester Fully Synthetic.

There's a thread over on gt4oc that I would recommend you read. It's full of useful info on this subject. You may have to register if you're not a member already. Use the search function and type in OIL ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS

also im gettin oil coming out of my dump valve, i know turbos burn some oil but i didn't think it was a major thing that you would see.

This is normal as there is a breather from the rocker cover which feeds back into the air intake. Provided it's not pouring out it shouldn't be a problem. One way round it is to fit an oil catch can.

one last thing, see either when its really damp or cold, you know the typical scottish weather, my turbo seems very sluggish, until the engine gets really warm. im not boasting when the engine is cold, i sit for 5 maybe 10mins in the mornin let the old girl heat up, then head off, but its a good half hour before the turbo is spooling up properly, if that makes any sense, could someone please advise

Not sure about this one. Could be heat soak. Because the intercooler is sat on top of the engine and hot air rises it invariably warms up the I/C at low speeds. Not enough airflow to cool it down. Once you get to a more constant and higher speed air flow increases and the I/C is cooled enough to do it's job. I think this may be your problem.This is one very good reason to fit a FMIC.

thanks

Hope this helps a bit.

thanks very much for that, great help.....i will read up on that page you are sayin about the oils......the oil is pouring out, but tbh due my laziness, i very seldom clean around that area, so im thinkin it just looks worse than what it is, if you know what i mean.....had the car 2 and half years now.

erm, i thot maybe havein a sponge induction kit could be causing issues, im thinkin about either takin it off completely or getting a steel one.

one other thing maybe you can help me with....my celica goes through a lot of water, its been into a mechanic and he says he pressured tested the system, and everything seems all good, checked the oil for water, that was also a negative and there dont seem to be any oil in the radiator water. i dont know if, when he tops the water up he is using the red coolant, i very much doubt it. im thinking he just uses water. the thermostat has been changed and so has the water pump last year. im losing a bit of faith in my mechanic, so im kinda looking for more advice on this topic, as he aint that keen on fixing my car due to the time it takes to do anything.

thanks again

[daktari]

I doubt very much that the induction kit will be causing problems provided it's clean and lubricated. As for the water issue... Another can of worms I'm afraid. Possible causes could be. Rad cap not sealing. Look for staining around the top of the rad. Water pump is a favourite. Gland seal can fail and because it's pretty well hidden it'll be difficult to notice. You'd need to remove the cam cover and again look for tell tale signs. It's quite probable that any leaks won't occur until the system is presurised and hot so be careful. Also check all pipes and connections for cracks and security. Finally.. There are two water pipes that are often overlooked because of their location. One at the front of the engine, behind the turbo/downpipe. and one at the rear that you can only see if you've got the car on a ramp. These are affectionately known as devil pipes for obvious reasons.

Just noticed you've had the pump replaced. So probably not that unless it's got a dodgy seal or gasket.

[tricky_celica_gt4]

I doubt very much that the induction kit will be causing problems provided it's clean and lubricated. As for the water issue... Another can of worms I'm afraid. Possible causes could be. Rad cap not sealing. Look for staining around the top of the rad. Water pump is a favourite. Gland seal can fail and because it's pretty well hidden it'll be difficult to notice. You'd need to remove the cam cover and again look for tell tale signs. It's quite probable that any leaks won't occur until the system is presurised and hot so be careful. Also check all pipes and connections for cracks and security. Finally.. There are two water pipes that are often overlooked because of their location. One at the front of the engine, behind the turbo/downpipe. and one at the rear that you can only see if you've got the car on a ramp. These are affectionately known as devil pipes for obvious reasons.

Just noticed you've had the pump replaced. So probably not that unless it's got a dodgy seal or gasket.

thanks very much for the help, sadly im not a mechanic and know very little about working with an engine. i know when somethings is wrong, but im hopeless at sorting the stuff, mostly due to lack of a garage and equipment etc.. do you know any mechanics that are keen on these cars around my area, im from ayr, on the west coast, around half an hours dirve from glasgow.

thanks again mate

[daktari]

do you know any mechanics that are keen on these cars around my area, im from ayr, on the west coast, around half an hours dirve from glasgow.

thanks again mate

Can't help with that one I'm afraid. If you put a post on the general forum I'm sure someone will help.

ATB

dak. :)