[symon]

Just for comparison I did a compression test on a clients Mito QV today fitted with a 1.4 MA 170HP.
Conditions - Engine at operating temperature, throttle wide open, reading taken at 7th cycle of engine.

Dry - 180 185 185 185
Wet- 220 215 215 215

I know your readings are with cold engine but there shouldn't be that much difference!

It looks like that one has some leakage past the rings as well, albeit consistent across cylinders.

I wonder if MA engines have got to the age where problems like this are starting.

 

[wbanham]

Just for comparison I did a compression test on a clients Mito QV today fitted with a 1.4 MA 170HP.
Conditions - Engine at operating temperature, throttle wide open, reading taken at 7th cycle of engine.

Dry - 180 185 185 185
Wet- 220 215 215 215

I know your readings are with cold engine but there shouldn't be that much difference!

What does 7th cycle mean ? I wondered about the throttle as the OP never mentioned that. There should be an absolute min of 142psi (9.8 * 14.5) plus whatever the temperature adds.

 

[bazzbazz]

What does 7th cycle mean ?

7 full rotations of the motor.
You know . . . Chuff, chuff, chuff, chuff, chuff, chuff, chuff.

Also the engine had 168,000 km.

 

[Kevman]

Update. G is in at Alfa specialist so will get an update in the week of the damage and give feedback. Hope this would help al the G owners or 1.4 MA owners out there even if it is just my 5-cent of contribution.

 

[Kevman]

Update on the G. It is confirmed that cylinder 1 are a bit low on compression. Rings have been ruled out and might be valves that got a bit of carbon on. They put in rings easy or something that soak over a 72hr. Did an engine flush, new oil filters and gain 1.5bar more compression. After 5000km will do the exercise all over again. They also recommend Liquid Moly - Injector cleaner. After this if it still use oil will remove the head and get it redone.

 

[wbanham]

You were getting about the same improved compression with oil as @bazzbazz's figures so the valves seem to be a good shout. I take it they did all of the cylinders...

 

[Tickets]

Just to clarify… You had high Oil consumption? You used a piston ring release.. The compression improves and they say it’s carbon build up on the valves but you don’t have a misfire? You did tell them about the oil consumption didn’t you?

 

[Kevman]

Yes I did tell them about the oil consumption. As I said, the compression did go up and they also said that there is carbon build up on the valves. They don't want to strip the motor, they want to do the process over again after 2000km and only after the second process is done and the oil consumption is still present, then they will open the motor and do and assessment on the motor, but currently no damage rings or broken rings, pistons and sleeves still in good condition. They advice to run a will with liqui moly injection cleaner.

 

[Tickets]

Yes I did tell them about the oil consumption. As I said, the compression did go up and they also said that there is carbon build up on the valves. They don't want to strip the motor, they want to do the process over again after 2000km and only after the second process is done and the oil consumption is still present, then they will open the motor and do and assessment on the motor, but currently no damage rings or broken rings, pistons and sleeves still in good condition. They advice to run a will with liqui moly injection cleaner.

Can I ask, how much warranty do you have left on the car? The reason I ask is.. to this point they have carried out what could be a temporary repair and once the vehicle is out of warranty you might struggle to get them to revisit the repair free of charge. In the UK a repair done under warranty doesn’t (or didn’t if the rules changed in the last couple of years) carry a warranty for any period outside the vehicle warranty period. Although most manufacturers will carry out goodwill gestures. In short, it might be prudent to check that the warranty regarding your oil usage will be honoured after your vehicle warranty expires as your issue will already be logged. I hope that makes sense 🙄.

 

[Kevman]

I didn't clam it through warranty, I paid cash. The problem is that I have to show the warranty company I did try to resolve the problem other wise they will state its ware and tear. So we are working with a plan to get it cover. In South Africa these aftermarket warranty's are a lot of bul...........s.......... I will not give up on my G and will get it sorted. I must say after the attention my G got, its much better. The smoke is less if u rev it hard.

 

[Tickets]

Ahh, okay. Fingers crossed it works out for you.

 

[Kevman]

Good day.

Just an update on the G. I did a cylinder leakage test and find that air is leaking through spark plug well. All spark plugs threads are socking wet with oil. I ordered all gaskets and seals for the G. Will update soon.

 

[Tickets]

Good day.

Just an update on the G. I did a cylinder leakage test and find that air is leaking through spark plug well. All spark plugs threads are socking wet with oil. I ordered all gaskets and seals for the G. Will update soon.

If it’s leaking from the plug hole when you performed a cylinder leakage test is the O ring on the adaptor in good condition and was it tight?

 

[Kevman]

If it’s leaking from the plug hole when you performed a cylinder leakage test is the O ring on the adaptor in good condition and was it tight?

Brand new Cylinder leakage tester. Cylinder 1 was on TDC and air coming from the spark plug well. I heard that these spark plug tubs is pressed in and can become loose. I guy that works at the local Alfa dealership said, they had 4 MA with this problem. They reheat the tub and push it back in. So will see if I replace all the seals and gaskets. They just let me know that all my parts have arrived. Will update on the findings and progress.

 

[symon]

Assuming that your cylinder head is like this one

Fiat 500 Dodge jeep 1.4 Multiair Dart Renegade SOHC Cylinder Head | eBay

Resurfaced with the Poly Crystalline Diamond, all the valves are refaced at 45 degree, seats grinded with 3 angle valve job, New valve steam seals installed. The warranty covers the cylinder head only.

www.ebay.com

I cannot understand how cylinder leakage causing low compression would happen unless either the spark plug thread itself was damaged, or if the head was cracked etc.

The Tubes that the spark plugs go into could leak oil into the spark plug well but it should still remain sealed from the cylinder, and compressed charge shouldn't be able to escape.

 

[Kevman]

Well, got my parts and will start stripping. Only after stripping and inspecting I will know what is at fault. At this stage I just suspect and got no facts.

 

[Tickets]

What Symon said 👆

 

[symon]

Piston rings on modern engines tend to be thin and low tention to reduce friction.

It is quite common for them to become gummed up in their grooves, and then not seal properly against the cylinder walls.

I had a 2.0 Duratec Ford Focus which had this issue, it would use about a litre of oil every 500 miles.

 

[Tickets]

Just a thought. Didn’t you do a wet compression test? If so the squirting of oil into the cylinder may explain the oil on the spark plug threads.

 

[Kevman]

Good day. Update. Confirm that that my piston rings are shot. They leak 15%. The air is coming out of my dipstick. So now need to strip more off to inspect the cylinder bores and test if they are not oval. Will update as I go on.

Kind Regards