Lots of smoke

[S3mon]

I seem to have a rather large oil problem on my 83 S3

I noticed it was using a lot of oil recently, and its just come back from a 1000 mile round trip and it started to push out a fair amount of smoke when i press the loud pedal. now i'm back in england it's getting pretty bad, turn on the engine and it bellows out with the tiniest of throttle.

Engine itself was running without missing a beat (can't be a good sign) So I guess I need to get it looked at ASAP.

Does anyone know where I can take it please? I am in London (wimbledon) and would prefer not to have to go too far before it goes bang.

thanks

Simon

[Paul C]

Could be many things, but piston/rings could be it.

My N/A S3 used oil and smoked when i gave it throttle. Turned out to be a cracked piston.

I was new to the car at the time, and the seller (UK sportcars) told me it would use a little oil. As it was the oldest car i had ever owned at the time, and the only high performance car, i trusted them on that. But after a few months of topping up oil as much as i water the houseplants, and seeing only a mist behind me when i overtook people, i got it looked at and the fault was found.

[andydclements]

How about a trip to Watford to see Sparky?

[Mike6]

Wht not try a compression test. You can buy one from Halfords for about £19.

[S3mon]

Well the garage have done a few tests, and are tending to agree that it could be the rings.

They've quoted me 3500+vat to strip out the engine/gearbox to take a look and sort, obviously going on nothing else needing doing at that price. Which would be wishful thinking.

3.5k+vat is not small amount of cash, but as i'm in the middle of moving it's a headache I dont need.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what my options are for this? if I a spending that much cash, I'd want a bit more return that just new rings (how much would it be to drop a nice audi V8 in there? )

Any thoughts would be gratefully received

cheers

Si.

Edited May 25, 2010 by S3mon

[Bibs]

It's not a lot more money for a brand new (old stock) S4 engine from Garry Kemp, speak to Simon350s.

[Paul C]

They've quoted me 3500+vat to strip out the engine/gearbox to take a look and sort, obviously going on nothing else needing doing at that price.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what my options are for this? if I a spending that much cash, I'd want a bit more return that just new rings...

If thats a strip down and check with no parts then its a LOT (LOT) of money.

A LOT!

As i guide, when my cracked piston was found, i decided that as the car was new to me that i would go for a full rebuild to make it good for years. I had four new piston and liner sets fitted (£1200 for just those at the time) as i did not see the point of doing one when they were all 20 years old, i had a reconditioned head with all new valve gear, all new engine bearings throughout and every bit that could be replaced was done. The bill for this was £4,700 and well over half that amount was Genuine Lotus parts.

Labour cost aside, i'd say that £3500 quote means you would be paying about £1500 - £2000 for a piston ring set.