Oil and coolant issues at track
Thread Starter
V8 Miata Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 635
Likes: 37
From: SW Ont.
Oil and coolant issues at track
To start with, my car runs great. No overheating, no major oil useage, no real weird issues.
Went to a lapping event last night, and by about the 3rd lap I noticed coming off some long turns that I was burning coolant. I pulled in and saw that the coolant reservoir tank was overflowing and boiling over. Well, I did just replace the lower rad hose as I felt it was close to rubbing the sway bar, so I figured I maybe overfilled it after replacing and trimming that hose. No prob, I siphoned a bit out after it cooled down a bit. Next session, I remembered to manually leave my fans on.
Next sessions, I didn’t seem be be boiling coolant, but level was still pretty high in the tank. I did have an issue though with a cloud of burning oil smoke, particularly leaving one large sweeping right hand curve. Seemed to be mainly the drivers side. I pit again and look for leaks, see signs of burned oil on my DS header, and oil light spray around the DS engine bay, plug wires etc. Kept an eye on oil level, kept lapping and smoke wasn’t bad unless I was really hooning around that corner. Afterwards I let things cool down, went for a drive for about an hr and came home.
Today I check coolant, reservoir is empty, and coolant level is down. Not sure how much down, need to pick up another jug of antifreeze.
Cleaning up the oil spray, it appears that it may have seeped up the dipstick and dripped down, as I have some oil on my plug wires only on DS.
What’s going on here?
Went to a lapping event last night, and by about the 3rd lap I noticed coming off some long turns that I was burning coolant. I pulled in and saw that the coolant reservoir tank was overflowing and boiling over. Well, I did just replace the lower rad hose as I felt it was close to rubbing the sway bar, so I figured I maybe overfilled it after replacing and trimming that hose. No prob, I siphoned a bit out after it cooled down a bit. Next session, I remembered to manually leave my fans on.
Next sessions, I didn’t seem be be boiling coolant, but level was still pretty high in the tank. I did have an issue though with a cloud of burning oil smoke, particularly leaving one large sweeping right hand curve. Seemed to be mainly the drivers side. I pit again and look for leaks, see signs of burned oil on my DS header, and oil light spray around the DS engine bay, plug wires etc. Kept an eye on oil level, kept lapping and smoke wasn’t bad unless I was really hooning around that corner. Afterwards I let things cool down, went for a drive for about an hr and came home.
Today I check coolant, reservoir is empty, and coolant level is down. Not sure how much down, need to pick up another jug of antifreeze.
Cleaning up the oil spray, it appears that it may have seeped up the dipstick and dripped down, as I have some oil on my plug wires only on DS.
What’s going on here?
V8 Miata Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 421
Likes: 33
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Your oil problem is caused by too much crank case pressure. Check your PCV system.
If you're blowing coolant, the first thing to consider is a bad head gasket. Borrow a coolant test kit from Autozone and run through the procedure. It takes about an hour or so to do, and you gain a tremendous amount of information. I would also use the kit to analyze the coolant for products of combustion.
You might also consider underdrive pulleys for the water pump.
If you're blowing coolant, the first thing to consider is a bad head gasket. Borrow a coolant test kit from Autozone and run through the procedure. It takes about an hour or so to do, and you gain a tremendous amount of information. I would also use the kit to analyze the coolant for products of combustion.
You might also consider underdrive pulleys for the water pump.
V8 Miata Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 412
Likes: 30
From: Tulsa OK
On the coolant situation it sounds to me like you might have (or had) a restricting thermostat.
My car did that when I first installed the V8 and I traced it back to a sticking thermostat.
Just for grins I removed the thermostat completely and have not had an issue since.
Another possibility that comes to mind is that maybe you have some air bubbles in your coolant system.
Are you running a high point vent in the heater core return line to burp that part of the system?
My car did that when I first installed the V8 and I traced it back to a sticking thermostat.
Just for grins I removed the thermostat completely and have not had an issue since.
Another possibility that comes to mind is that maybe you have some air bubbles in your coolant system.
Are you running a high point vent in the heater core return line to burp that part of the system?
Thread Starter
V8 Miata Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 635
Likes: 37
From: SW Ont.
Well I think the oil blow by issue is solved. My catch can filter off my pcv valve was completely plugged. That would do it. That sucker is gone for now. Thanks Bob for the advise on checking pvc.
Topped up coolant... I measured about 1 1/2 cups low in the rad, and I put a cup in the reservoir. Went for a spirited drive and saw no signs of blow by, but reservoir coolant still bubbling. It’s weird, because the car is not running hot enough for the fans to even kick on. Could still be an air pocket. I don’t have a vent, but I did refill coolant with the front end jacked up.
Btw, even with this iron boat anchor 5.0 it handled superbly on the track. Small small amount of understeer that could be overcome with my right foot. I may try the Racing Beat tubular front sway bar as I’m currently just running stock.
Topped up coolant... I measured about 1 1/2 cups low in the rad, and I put a cup in the reservoir. Went for a spirited drive and saw no signs of blow by, but reservoir coolant still bubbling. It’s weird, because the car is not running hot enough for the fans to even kick on. Could still be an air pocket. I don’t have a vent, but I did refill coolant with the front end jacked up.
Btw, even with this iron boat anchor 5.0 it handled superbly on the track. Small small amount of understeer that could be overcome with my right foot. I may try the Racing Beat tubular front sway bar as I’m currently just running stock.
V8 Miata Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 634
Likes: 15
From: Seven Hills, OH
Agreed. Fingers crossed. I will say that when I have drained my coolant it has taken at least 3-4 heat cycles to burp it all out and not have to add any coolant and that is with Martin's high water fill neck.
Thread Starter
V8 Miata Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 635
Likes: 37
From: SW Ont.
Yes, I think I got it licked. Topped up, squeezed hoses for a few minutes while warming up. Went for a spin, got wheeled over for no front plate, came back and no bubbling. I recall this being the case when I first got the car on the road.....wow nearly 3 ago. Time flies.
Thread Starter
V8 Miata Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 635
Likes: 37
From: SW Ont.
Would it help to pull the 2 little coolant lines off the egr spacer when refilling in the future? Would that act as an air vent? Even with the front of the car on ramps the egr spacer is still higher than the rad fill.
Last edited by MX-Brad; May 27, 2018 at 11:58 AM.
V8 Miata Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 421
Likes: 33
From: Colorado Springs, CO
With a SBF, you should drill a small hole in the thermostat base plate, about 1/8-3/16" is big enough. Install the thermostat with the hole at 12 o'clock. That creates an open circuit, and the engine will be pretty much self-burping.
V8 Miata Fan
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 48
Likes: 3
To start with, my car runs great. No overheating, no major oil useage, no real weird issues.
Went to a lapping event last night, and by about the 3rd lap I noticed coming off some long turns that I was burning coolant. I pulled in and saw that the coolant reservoir tank was overflowing and boiling over. Well, I did just replace the lower rad hose as I felt it was close to rubbing the sway bar, so I figured I maybe overfilled it after replacing and trimming that hose. No prob, I siphoned a bit out after it cooled down a bit. Next session, I remembered to manually leave my fans on.
Next sessions, I didn’t seem be be boiling coolant, but level was still pretty high in the tank. I did have an issue though with a cloud of burning oil smoke, particularly leaving one large sweeping right hand curve. Seemed to be mainly the drivers side. I pit again and look for leaks, see signs of burned oil on my DS header, and oil light spray around the DS engine bay, plug wires etc. Kept an eye on oil level, kept lapping and smoke wasn’t bad unless I was really hooning around that corner. Afterwards I let things cool down, went for a drive for about an hr and came home.
Today I check coolant, reservoir is empty, and coolant level is down. Not sure how much down, need to pick up another jug of antifreeze.
Cleaning up the oil spray, it appears that it may have seeped up the dipstick and dripped down, as I have some oil on my plug wires only on DS.
What’s going on here?
Went to a lapping event last night, and by about the 3rd lap I noticed coming off some long turns that I was burning coolant. I pulled in and saw that the coolant reservoir tank was overflowing and boiling over. Well, I did just replace the lower rad hose as I felt it was close to rubbing the sway bar, so I figured I maybe overfilled it after replacing and trimming that hose. No prob, I siphoned a bit out after it cooled down a bit. Next session, I remembered to manually leave my fans on.
Next sessions, I didn’t seem be be boiling coolant, but level was still pretty high in the tank. I did have an issue though with a cloud of burning oil smoke, particularly leaving one large sweeping right hand curve. Seemed to be mainly the drivers side. I pit again and look for leaks, see signs of burned oil on my DS header, and oil light spray around the DS engine bay, plug wires etc. Kept an eye on oil level, kept lapping and smoke wasn’t bad unless I was really hooning around that corner. Afterwards I let things cool down, went for a drive for about an hr and came home.
Today I check coolant, reservoir is empty, and coolant level is down. Not sure how much down, need to pick up another jug of antifreeze.
Cleaning up the oil spray, it appears that it may have seeped up the dipstick and dripped down, as I have some oil on my plug wires only on DS.
What’s going on here?
V8 Miata Zealot
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 51
From: Canton, Georgia
Or use a Motorcraft thermostat. They come with a check ball in that same location (if installed correctly).
V8 Miata Zealot
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 51
From: Canton, Georgia
I STRONGLY suggest that you get one of these Vacuum filler things. I have this one:https://www.tooltopia.com/uview-5500...SABEgLhlPD_BwE and it is worth every penny.
Thread Starter
V8 Miata Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 635
Likes: 37
From: SW Ont.
Thanks Tom for the advise. I'm 99% sure I did use the Motorcraft thermostat during the build. Thanks for the link on the tools. That same company UView makes a good combustion gas test kit too- which I'm hoping I won't need. )
Thread Starter
V8 Miata Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 635
Likes: 37
From: SW Ont.
Well my blow by issue is solved. No more clouds of oil smoke. However after a few laps I came on to check coolant. It isn’t overflowing or puking out like it did last week but it bubbles slightly for a minute or 2 after shutting down
Could it be anything other than a head gasket?
Going out to do a few more laps.
Could it be anything other than a head gasket?
Going out to do a few more laps.
V8 Miata Fan
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 48
Likes: 3
Well my blow by issue is solved. No more clouds of oil smoke. However after a few laps I came on to check coolant. It isn’t overflowing or puking out like it did last week but it bubbles slightly for a minute or 2 after shutting down
Could it be anything other than a head gasket?
Going out to do a few more laps.
Could it be anything other than a head gasket?
Going out to do a few more laps.
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