What did I do?

[Cruisergreg]

Been fighting an intermittent gremlin with my 350 TBI on and off for about two months. Truck wouldn't like to idel evenly and would sometimes quit at medium throttle. Addressed all the normal TBI problem causers and never quite got things right. Decided to check the fuel injectors for function and both were producing a weak stream, one worse than the other. Swapped in a spare I had and bought a new one. Somewhere in that process I didn't tighten down the injectors covers properly apparently.

So here's the rub: tried to start the truck and excess fuel blew into the throttle body and the motor seemed to seize. Wouldn't even turn over with the starter. Let things sit for a moment then did the full throttle flooded egine thing and it gradually cranked over blowing all kinds of black smoke out the exhaust until things settled out. But then it blew oil smoke for about 5 minutes. That seemed to settle out gradually also.

So what happened? Some kinda hydraulic lock from the extra gas? Over presurrised the cracnkcase and blew oil ino the cylinders? Been working on cars for 30 years and never experienced anything like this. Hope I didn't blow a seal somewhere...

 

[Cruisergreg]

Update

Started the truck this morning - no smoke on cold start. But there was some noticeable smoke during warm up and still a slight odor of oil in the exhaust when warm. I fear I somehow blew an oil ring or worse. Can anybody help me with a compression test sometime next week?

Also, does anyone have a spare 4 seat car I could borrow for the weekend to haul my kids around?

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Greg:

Sure does sound like a bad oil control ring to me. Could also be a leaky valve seal. I don't know much about the V-8s though, so that's just generic info from me.

I'd help with the compression test if I were in town.

Dan

 

[gr8wrk]

If you don't have anyone yet, I can help do the stupid part of your SBC compression test sometime next week. PM me and we can work out a time.
Just curious, just simple comp. test, or leak down test?

 

[Cruisergreg]

If you don't have anyone yet, I can help do the stupid part of your SBC compression test sometime next week. PM me and we can work out a time.
Just curious, just simple comp. test, or leak down test?

Another update.

Drove the 60 around a bit this weekdend and the oil burning seems to have stopped. As one poster to the 60 tech section suggested the excess fuel in the cylinders washed away the oil film from the cylinder walls so oil was being blown into the combustion chamber by blowby gas. Just needed to get the rings re-lubed to seal things up. Seemed to make sense and seems to be holding true.

Another poster said I needed to change my oil NOW because the gas would dilute it, but the oil has no gas smell and it would seem any small amounts of volatiles would boil off as function of normal operating tempertures. Since I just changed it with spendy synthetic I'm not inclined to dive into another $75 oil change if it's not needed. It's not a Ferrari, ferchrissake.

As for the "seizure" during cranking - no clue. Too much gas in one place and not enough in another with a detonation? A backfire through the throttle body that stopped things dead? Since it happened while cranking and not firing I don't think (fingers crossed) anything got severely broke.

Bottom line - Let's hold off on the compression test for now. But thanks to those whoe offered help.

 

[BionicCruiser]

fuel dilution of the oil is a real thing. as a diesel guy, I change the oil in my truck very frequently because diesels have this issue as a part of business, and at 14qts per change, it is spendy. my old truck was every 3k religiously, my new one I am able to spread out to 4k.

it probably won't kill your engine, just consider it as your oil is not working up to par right now, and change it as soon as feasible. it really depends on if it was a fuel hydro lock or something else.

 

[Cruisergreg]

fuel dilution of the oil is a real thing...

OK, OK, I'll change the oil. With cheap stuff for the interim.

 

[gr8wrk]

Have you driven this truck any more? Is it still smoking at all or has it returned to something like normal?

 

[Cruisergreg]

Have you driven this truck any more? Is it still smoking at all or has it returned to something like normal?

Drove it severeal times over the weekend and the oil consumption seems to have stopped. Still have the erratic idle that was present before but will deal with that over this coming weekend when I change the oil.

 

[juane]

Similar problem I had in a similar-colored similar model Land Cruiser with a similar 350 TBI engine?
All those years ago....

 

[Cruisergreg]

Similar problem I had in a similar-colored similar model Land Cruiser with a similar 350 TBI engine?
All those years ago....

And the resolution/remedy was?

 

[Beowulf]

And the resolution/remedy was?

IIRC, he got something with a Toyota engine in it like an 80 and now a Taco & a 100.

-Mike-

 

[pappy]

IIRC, he got something with a Toyota engine in it like an 80 and now a Taco & a 100.

-Mike-

Careful Mike. You know those Chebby boys are a bit sensitive about their engines.

 

[Cruisergreg]

Careful Mike. You know those Chebby boys are a bit sensitive about their engines.

You guys stop teasing! (sniff)

While I don't think its necesary, at least I can buy a new long block at 7-Eleven for the change in my cupholder.

 

[gr8wrk]

Yeah, there's always that. I usually get my SBC stuff at Albertson's.

 

[Cruisergreg]

Yeah, there's always that. I usually get my SBC stuff at Albertson's.

Lines at the counter are usually shorter at 7-Eleven, but then Alberston's have coupons from time to time.

 

[juane]

Oh you guys.
That was a great come back, Mike!

Greg, YOU solved my problem by giving me a different computer.

 

[Beowulf]

Greg, YOU solved my problem by giving me a different computer.

From 7-Eleven ?

-Mike-

 

[Cruisergreg]

Greg, YOU solved my problem by giving me a different computer.

Oh I thought you meant you had a similar flooed engine seizing hydrolock episode.

It wasn't so much I gave you a different computer but the CORRECT one, once I realzed you had the wrong chip for your TBI set-up.

 

[Cruisergreg]

From 7-Eleven ?

No, Albertson's