Hi, I'm after a bit of advice with my 1998 3.2 V8. She uses approx a litre every 1,000 miles depending how hard I drive which doesn't seem too bad for the mileage (110k). However annoyingly it seems to dump too much oil in the air intake which collects in the bottom of the throttle body especially on the overun (ie slowing for roundabout) then when you hit the gas again to move off there is a cloud of blue smoke (very embarassing!). I also get a cloud behind me under heavy acceleration in sport mode (5k revs +).

Now the part load breather is clear, I have even modified it with a one way valve which has made no difference.

The compression accross all cylinders is good (165-170psi average) and it performs really well, so the engine appears to be healthy.

Now am I just being fussy or could there be a problem somewhere which I haven't covered with my checks?

 

What grade of oil are you running?

The fix may be as simple as moving to a slightly heavier grade of oil.

 

I've tried 10w40 semi but now I'm on 5w40 fully synthetic which is giving pretty much the same result. Its got me stumped!

 

You could try a 20W40 or 20W50 for a couple of months since it is warm right now and see how it goes. It won't do any harm at the current prevailing temperatures.

Check to see that the oil separator screen and baffle which are inside the valve covers under the ports for the breathers are there. Sometimes they get removed because someone cannot be bothered to clean them and figures it won't hurt.

Check that the breather hoses themselves are clean and unobstructed.

 

Right did some seaches on the baffling in the cam covers, I can see the metal plate in the full load breather hole but I guess this doesn't mean there is baffling mesh in there for sure, but on the part load breather hole there doesn't appear to be anything, should there be baffling on this side too?

Looks like I will be stipping the cam covers off soon!

Thanks for your advice.

 

Jaguar recommend 5w30 semi synth, Shelix Helix HX7.

Valve stem oil seals are a possibility if compression is OK.

3.2 don't have EGR or VVT so no possible causes with either.

Part load doesn't have a filter. Full load does, but only a mesh screen like a heavy wire wool. Unlikely to block unless the engine has been abused, i.e. ran on junk oil for a long time that's turned to gunk.

 

That would explain why there is nothing under the part load one, I did wonder as the manual only shows one for the full load, think I might whip that side off to check the mesh screen hasn't been removed at some point. I know the recommended is 5w30 semi but the owners manual does still include 5w40 fully synthetic in the chart and though it may help if I have a valve stem issue. Are valve stem oil seals a common failure on these V8's? So far seems a lot less bullet proof than my old AJ16 4.0 what with the wide spread use of plastic everywhere!

 

It's down to individual engines in my experience - thrashed = oil burner. Looked after = teaspoon @1k.

3.2's have a harder life than the 4.0

Blame the accounting division for plastic - upgrades are available and a matter to address with owners of early cars.