nova 1.4 luxe engine strip down

[novaboy941]

hello guys, big nova fan recently bought myself a 1.4 nova luxe, engine is a bit oily and i think there is a slight misfire, I am planning to remove the engine and give it a good clean up. Was just wondering if i could get any pointers on what is best to do, i.e new parts, things to look out for etc... thanks conner :)

[craig green]

Whats the mileage?

From the sounds of it maybe worth lifting the cyl head, replace the gaskets etc & traet it to service parts (plugs,leads,dizzy cap n rotor arm). The 8v motors go on for ever if well looked after, the single point injection ones especially so as they are fairly restricted.

Whatever you do, DO NOT use an engine flush when you perform an oil change. This can remove oil deposits that are taking up clearances in the bottom end that the engine is relying on to run smoothly. Ive known of happy/high mileage engines die shortly after a 'treat' flush.

[therealnovaboy]

It really depends on how much you want to spend.

Id advise finding out where the oil is coming from first. then youll know if you need to change the head gasket or end seals. Chances are its the cork gasket on the rocker cover. If you think you have a missfire then fix that first. Clean the carb (if it has one) change the leads, rotor arm and the distributer cap.

Id advise:
New cork rocker cover gasket
new timing belt
new fan belt
new water pump
new oil and filter - good quality brand eg casrtrol, GM
new coolant and coolant flush
new thermostat
new earths on the inlet manifold and gearbox.
consider changing the sump gasket.

[novaboy941]

its at 72000 have recently serviced it has not made a difference, will done cylinder head and replace all other gaskets, looks like oil leeks from cylinder, also i turned the car off this after noon and it was like the car was trying to start with no key, was told this is due to pre ignition any info on what that is would be very help full thanks guys...

[jimbob-mcgrew]

I hear engines can continue to run-on like that when the internals get covered in a layer of coke, or maybe oil vapours igniting in the cylinders.

are any of the spark plugs oily in appearance ?

have you compression tested the bores to check for any leaks ?

if its a 14NV model number engine, i'd check the carburettor out too myself, they get clogged up with gunk if not serviced, and can cause issues.

i'd pull the head off and have an inspection - worse case scenario theres scores in the bore walls or the piston rings need replacing (the compression test might give you an idea whats going on inside)

[meritlover]

sounds like its either (or a combination of being): grossly coked, wrong grade plugs, timing is excessively advanced.

[jimbob-mcgrew]

good point on the timing ML, didn't think of that.

yeah check the tming before you tear the engine to bits, might be something as simple as the belts a tooth out, or dizzy adjustment

[MK999]

Timing wouldn't make it run on as it won't spark with the ignition off.

edit: In fact if it's an SPI it shouldn't have fuel coming through either :confused:

[deneil_gsi2000]

As said check the timing. No spark is needed for pre ignition . A hot spot in the cylinder will ignite any oily carbon deposits, also theres enough heat generated in a compression cycle to ignite it,
I' start with timing then do a compression check . Amd also check for smoke on startup/under load. Which can indicate oil getting past stem seals or rings

[meritlover]

Timing wouldn't make it run on as it won't spark with the ignition off.

edit: In fact if it's an SPI it shouldn't have fuel coming through either :confused:

...no.... but overly advanced or retarded timing causes the plugs and carbon deposits to heat up above the auto ign temp of the combustion gas....causing it to run on.

[MK999]

Fair point! It still shouldn't really have enough fuel for it though, pretty odd for an injection to run on.