Conference turris::mechanix_3

    
    Rob L.
    BSS::Bussard
    DTN 522-2144
    CXO01-2
    
    Problem:
    
    Wifes'  '89 Tercel EZ with the 3E engine freezes up a timing belt
    bushing,  timing belt goes to toast and burns through,  failing at
    speed.   Car is towed home,  upon teardown discover oil in the 
    air filter housing,  filter is also soaked.  
    
    Timing belt is replaced,  timing set,   oily and deposited plugs
    cleaned and gapped to specs, oil and filter change.   Upon ignition,
    discover oily fumes from valve cover hose (non PCV) to air cleaner.
    PCV appears to work fine,  rattles nicely and has a good seal one-way.
    
    I thought blow-by might be the problem,  but I really hope not.  I 
    gave this simple engine a mini-rebuild two years ago;  new rings and
    rod bearings.  I'll check for PCV vacuum,  wet and dry compression
    test,  etc.   Where else could crankcase pressure come from?  And then
    of course this morning the car wouldn't run until I manually fingered 
    the choke open,  and there is more oil in the newly cleaned (again) 
    air breather.
    
    Ideas?
    
    Thanks in advance.
    
    Rob 

>    discover oily fumes from valve cover hose (non PCV) to air cleaner.
>    PCV appears to work fine,  rattles nicely and has a good seal one-way.
    
>    I thought blow-by might be the problem,  but I really hope not.  I 
>    gave this simple engine a mini-rebuild two years ago;  new rings and
>    rod bearings.  I'll check for PCV vacuum,  wet and dry compression
>    test,  etc.   Where else could crankcase pressure come from?  And then
>    of course this morning the car wouldn't run until I manually fingered 
>    the choke open,  and there is more oil in the newly cleaned (again) 
>    air breather.

All engines have blow-by, some just more than others.  Little 4 bangers 
develop a lot of crankcase pressure for some reason.  Chances are, your 
PCV hose is plugged.  Checking for vacuum is the first step.  The engine 
speed should change when you take off the PCV hose.  If it doesn't, the 
vacuum source is restricted or plugged totally.

    The hose could also be collapsing - they get weak with age.
    This effectively plugs it up very nicely!  Been there, done that ..etc.
    etc.
    
    So even if it looks clean, it's pretty cheap to replace it.
    
    /tb/