Hey all! Need some help with an engine problem. I have an 84 GSL-SE that is turbocharged. I thought I dropped an apex seal so I pulled the lead spark plug from each side and turned the engine to listen for the compression. The front had 3 strong bursts, the rear only one. "Must be an apex seal." So I took off the turbo and the manifold so I could feel inside and actually touch the seals to see if they are ok. All 3 on the rear seem intact, but when I push on them, one doesn't feel very springy. What I am wondering is if one or both of the springs undernieth has broken or maybe still an apex seal, but just on the sides where I can not touch. Any ideas? Thanks for the help!!!

 

Sounds like the springs are broken under that one seal as you have described. Either way spring or seal it has to come apart.

 

the apex seal could be fouled with carbon.

 

what are the syptoms when an apex seal is fouled with carbon? I have never heard of that.

 

it just gums up and gets stuck.
you may have a light case of it.
there are different ways to decarbon it. seafoam or atf, ive never done it.
might be worth a shot before you teardown and rebuild your engine though.

 

seafoam?

 

Yeh, it's the stuff that comes up from the Ocean and comes to the surface on shore. You know, Sea Foam

Sorry, didn't sleep much.

You can pick it up at most good parts stores like Napa. It's a multi usage additive that can either be used in your fuel,oil,etcc.

You use it or ATF and squirt some into the rotor housings, rotate the motor by hand , squirts some more in and let it soak. It will help to break up any carbon deposits you may have. It's worth a shot.

 

Sounds good to me. Would this happen though while driving? My car dies when it is cold unless you give it gas. I had just started driving and it died, so i restarted it and it was running crappy. Made it home and here we are! Would be great if I dont have to tear it apart.

 

I have doubts the seal suddenly stuck while driving due to carbon. Might as well try the atf, works quicker than the seafoam.

Fwiw, apex seals break/crack, springs don't, they bend and deform. I have yet to find a broken apex spring.

 

I thought that would be odd to for it to stick like that. But when I feel in there, the seal is pushed in, like the spring has broken or the seal is stuck. I dont think the spring would flatten out that fast either. I got some seafoam and put some in. I let it sit for a bit the turned by hand, then cranked. Still feels the same. Guess I'll keep trying it and the atf. Any other ideas? Thanks for the thoughts so far!!

 

i have'nt either, thats why i was thinking carbon.

 

Seals stick for 2 reasons, carbon, or they are broken in some manner. If broken and stuck, then there is usually some sort of damage to the apex groove in the rotor that pinches it. While you have the exhaust off, rotate the engine and inspect the bottom of the housing for any scoring. A boroscope comes in real handy for this.

 

Dont have a scope, but did reach in with fingers as far as possible and it feels perfectly smooth. The last engine I lost a seal on made deep gooves all around. So thats a good sign I guess.

 

maybe you could stick a feeler gauge in the apex seal grove to see if its collapsed.