Reply To: Running in / Compression

[Richard LarterParticipant]

Hi Steve

I recently rebuilt the engine of my Light 15 with new pistons and liners but living in Scotland there are plenty of hills to bed the engine in. I used cheap 20/50 oil for the running in, as far as I can tell it is not using oil but there is a persistent oil leak which I call rust proofing! Some possibilities, did you check the piston ring gaps and were the gaps at 120 degrees to each other, if there is a problem with the rings or bores try putting a small amount of oil down the bores and do a compression check, if there is a marked improvement then the problem lies with the rings or more running in is required. Modern car engines are made to much tighter tolerances so little running in is required.

Cheers

Richard