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Re: [TR] TESTS FOR POSSIBLE COOLANT/OIL LEAK

To: triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [TR] TESTS FOR POSSIBLE COOLANT/OIL LEAK
From: ZinkZ10C@aol.com
Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2006 08:10:26 EDT
In a message dated 10/14/06 6:15:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time, DLylis@aol.com 
writes:

<<  Go directly to the guy  who rebuilt the engine and put him on notice now. 
 >>

That sounds rather confrontational considering the engine in question was 
overheated at least twice due to issues beyond the control of the builder.  Be 
sure to "put the builder on notice" that the engine was over heated at least 
twice due to a clogged rad.
 
 We also don't know if the engine had a full fill of coolant during the 
initial start or at any time during operation.  If the coolant level is low the 
gauge will read lower than the actual engine temp.   In this case the cylinder 
head could have been much hotter than indicated.

  Overheating the engine is not good and will cause damage.  There are two 
sources of water to oil leakages that can be caused by poor sealing, the base 
of 
the liners if a wet liner motor and the oil feed through the head gasket.  
Oil to water from the head feed is rare for any engine, oil to the outside is 
more common.  The other source of leakage can be a crack from the water jackets 
to the crankcase.  If there was a crack from pressurized oil there would be 
oil in the water.

Was the head ever removed after the builder finished the engine?  There is a 
possibility the liner gaskets were disturbed.

If the engine has been started and stopped many times before it has warmed up 
moisture will build up in the crankcase, especially if a PCV system is not 
present.

The other issue is this engine has never been run under a load.  Running 
under a load is vital to preventing the next likely problem,  excessive oil 
usage 
due to rings not seated.  

Harold


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