1994 Ford Escort Oil Leak

[FordFocus]

I have a 94 escort that is leaking a lot of oil into the air cleaner from the engine vent tube. I replaced the PCV valve and emissions filter in the air cleaner box but I still is leaking bad. I also see a little oil leaking from the oil cap too. Is there a way to fix this leak cheaply? Somone told me that the oil is likely blow-by, because of worn piston rings and that is expensive to fix. This car has 169,000 miles on it with 4 cylinder 1.9L motor. Is there any temporary fix to get me by for a couple of months? What if I detached the tube going to the air cleaner and plugged the hole were it was plugged in and routed the tube to a pop can or someting metal to catch the oil?
Thanks for your help.

 

[tig1]

It could be worn rings, but it may also be coking of the rings, where the rings are stuck because of carbon and allowing oil to pass by. You might try taking the plugs out and squirting Marvel Mystery oil in the plug holes and letting it set for a day or two. Then change the oil.

 

[FordFocus]

Ok, I could try that. Were can I get Marvel Mystery Oil? What does it do- loosen up the carbon? I looked up my receipts and the last times plugs were put in the car was May '04 when the car had 72,650 miles and now has 169,000 miles. I know it probably been too long but this is my work comuter car.

 

[FordFocus]

I did a little research on MMO. I still have a question. YOu put the stuff in and let the car set for a while. Do you want to run the car to work the stuff into the oil or do you not run the engine after you put it in? You say put it in thru the spark plug holes, is this better than thru the fill cap? Why?

 

[The_Jeff]

When MMO goes through the spark plug holes it gets on top of the pistons so it can soak down that miniscule gap between piston and wall and spend more time cleaning the rings. Often the MMO disappears; this is bad or good depending on your world view. You might as well throw the rest of the bottle in with the oil for a few hundred miles; it works in there too.

What you probably want is a catch can, you can also get a breather filter and stick it on the hose that goes to your valve cover. This will protect your engine against unfiltered air; at least some of the time there's a vacuum present. Plug the intake hose nipple so you aren't getting a leak after your MAF sensor.

Cars can run a long time with blowby. I'd try a diesel 15w40 oil, more cleaners, thicker.

 

[FordFocus]

where do I get a catch can, or can you only make them. How, where do you install them?

15w40 oil, is this safe to run in an escort engine? It won't hurt it for being thicker would it?

 

[The_Jeff]

A catch can goes in the fresh air hose, the one that's spitting oil for you and the one you're considering cutting & capping. It's a little greener in that oily vapors don't get out to the atmosphere. Some people use/modify air compressor filters. If you go the breather route some oil condensate will wind up in your engine compartment or dripping on the street. Google "PCV catch can" FMI. 15w40 won't hurt your motor above 20'F or lower.

 

[mechtech2]

Lets start by making sure your PCV system is OK. The WHOLE system.
The valve iteslf should be tight where it seats, and the line to the manifold clear of obstruction, with no kinks or leaks. make sure the line is OK to flow to the manifold vacuum.

Bad rings/bores will overwhelm a PCV system. This sounds likely.
MMO may help clean the rings and slow this down. Use heavier oil in summer to compensate for the thinning of the MMO.

PCV valves don't work right if there are valve cover leaks - they don't draw properly. Also, if the valve cover is sludged inside.

A catch can normally goes from the line from the PCv to the manifold.
With severe and massive problems like yours, one may be of use in the inlet line.