JazzRox

Hi,
1990, 13b non-turbo, conv. Runs great, starts in all weather, 20 mpg, 85k, VERY pretty (though I'm biased), but the oil smells like gas.
A friend of mine says the gas will evaporate & not cause too much harm if I run the car for extended periods warmed up. My daily commute is 30 minutes one way plus weekend errand use.
It also leaks a few drops of oil per day...very little, but its hitting soemthing hot on the way down & smelling pretty bad; I only mention this for the unlikely possiblity that its related.

Thanks,
Bob

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

Gas in your oil is NEVER good...It dilutes the viscosity and breaks down the oil... Replace the oil, maybe do a tune up (plugs/wires etc...) If gas keeps getting in there, it could be indicative of a bigger problem.. In my opinion, if its running fine, there probably isnt a problem.

Rat

Scott 89t2

mine gets gas in the oil too. I think lots do. maybe from running too rich. how long has your oil been in there? I change mine every 3000km (1800miles)

scathcart

Since the gas circulates through separate lines on the top of the engine, I doubt it can mix that way. Maybe gas injection vapour could get sucked into a vacuum line and into the crankcase (bad term) via the hose on the filler tube? Maybe before the mixture is ignited, it seeps past the oil control rings?
Those are my only ideas.... both seem far fetched.
How do you guys know its gasoline?

MIKE-P-28

iTrader: (1)

I think this is very common for rotaries. My has always smelled like gas when I changed it

JazzRox

>>How do you guys know its gasoline?

Well, I just sniff the dipstick & it smells like gas to me. I guess I could be wrong, but...

>>how long has your oil been in there? I change mine every 3000km (1800miles)

It smelled that way the day after the last oil change.

>>I think this is very common for rotaries. My has always smelled like gas when I changed it
>>if its running fine, there probably isnt a problem.

I like these 2 responses....the car is, after all, running fine.
I'll do the tune-up stuff, and keep my fingers crossed.

Thanx All,
Bob

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

Out of curiosity, what oil are you running?

JazzRox

Castrol synthetic 10w-40. I chose the weight based on the season & table recommendations from the book. Next change I'm gonna go heavier because of what I've read aroun this forum, and I'm gonna "brew my own blend" of 1qt synthetic + 3qt non-synthetic based on recommendations from gear-head friends. The smell of gas has occurred in all types oil.

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

That wasnt really what I was getting at...Just curious. I use Castrol 20-50. ANd truth be told, my new motor still has a little gas smell in the oil. As long as the oil pressure stays normal, I dont worry about it...

JazzRox

The oil pressure is fine. Great, thanks.

cirkitbrd

just out of curiousity... have you checked your fuel injectors lately, i had 3 bad primary injector , leaking fuel into the engine at all times, and this is why my oil smelled like gas....

J-Rat

iTrader: (2)

YOu had 3 primaries????

Mark S

iTrader: (1)

Its normal for the oil to smell like gas in rotaries. Something to do with the large swept area of the cumbustion chamber, incomplete side seal sealing, etc..

This is the main reason it so important to change oil regularly on rotaries. The gas dilution breaks down the oil, and it screws up your engine.