Looking for a garage to work on Miss Zora

[misszora]

Miss Zora's #1 cylinder has a leak on the intake valve...according to Heckmann & Thiemann. I don't have $800 for an engine drop to investigate nor do I have a garage to work on her.

Looking for a garage and some assistance. Talk about timing. We've had gorgeous weather for months! :)

Anyone out there in the Portland area with a chunk of dry space for me to work in?

thank you!!!
- paige

[Bleyseng]

Always happens when it's pouring rain doesn't it? Sorry I am so far away to help.

[misszora]

Yep! :)

[Westy78]

I've got dry shop space but wont be of much help for the next couple of weeks. And I'm out in Boring...
It's much more clean and organized now too. Plenty of space for a second bus.

[misszora]

Awesome! Thanks Jason! I don't have any other transportation besides MZ so I'm still looking for something close by right now. I'll let you know.

[Amskeptic]

Awesome! Thanks Jason! I don't have any other transportation besides MZ so I'm still looking for something close by right now. I'll let you know.

Heck . . . intake valve is not sealing? Low compression? What is the number?

Do we have valve recession? If you do, it will show up in your valve adjustment as a tight valve AND the threads will be sticking out above the locknut more than the other valves in the area. If no recession, no tight valve, experiment:

Rotate engine to TDC #1
Adjust intake valve to .008" (put valve cover back on).
Now rotate engine backwards 180*
Remove #1 injector
Spray carburetor cleaner into the injector hole all around.
Let sit for a few minutes.
Spray carburetor cleaner into the injector hole all around.
Let sit for a few minutes.
Spray carburetor cleaner into the injector hole.
Now remove the spark plug and squirt some engine oil into the hole.
Replace spark plug.

Button up and drive a few days. Carbon can lodge between the valve margin and seat. Carb spray can loosen it up a bit, and the .008" clearance can help to reseat the valve. Do another compression test.
Colin

[misszora]

I will give that a try on Tuesday morning! It has been so long since I've worked on MZ myself I need to re-engage my brain.

#3 cylinder is also leaking a bit at the base of the flange.

Here are my numbers:
Compression -
#1 - 110
#2 - 130
#3 - 120
#4 - 130

Leak Down Test -
#1 - 36%
#2 - 4%
#3 - 5%
#4 - 6%

2 weeks ago the compression was 125 across all four cylinders.

She was running lean but I don't know for how long. She's been gets premium gas.

[Amskeptic]

I will give that a try on Tuesday morning! It has been so long since I've worked on MZ myself I need to re-engage my brain.

#3 cylinder is also leaking a bit at the base of the flange.

Here are my numbers:
Compression -
#1 - 110
#2 - 130
#3 - 120
#4 - 130

Leak Down Test -
#1 - 36%
#2 - 4%
#3 - 5%
#4 - 6%

2 weeks ago the compression was 125 across all four cylinders.

She was running lean but I don't know for how long. She's been gets premium gas.

You can catch this at such an early stage. Let me know if you see extra valve adjustment threads . . .

FOR EXAMPLE:



Note how the outboard valve adjustment screws are sticking out more than the intakes here. This is Chloe's engine when the exhaust valves were drilling into their seats in October 2010.
Colin

IF YOU HAVE threads sticking out by a noticeable amount on that #1 intake, you should go into the engine and inspect the head. IF you do NOT have any particular valve adjustment screw sticking out, let's try a carb spray baptism of love and good roads to come.
Colin

[misszora]

Button up and drive a few days. Carbon can lodge between the valve margin and seat. Carb spray can loosen it up a bit, and the .008" clearance can help to reseat the valve. Do another compression test.
Colin

Do I readjust the clearance to .006" before the compressions test?

[Amskeptic]

Button up and drive a few days. Carbon can lodge between the valve margin and seat. Carb spray can loosen it up a bit, and the .008" clearance can help to reseat the valve. Do another compression test.
Colin

Do I readjust the clearance to .006" before the compressions test?

Yes, to be the same as the other cylinders.
ColinPraaaaaayin'

[misszora]

Thank you.
I've been a little distracted and haven't started yet.

[misszora]

OK.
Took a peek at the adjustment screws. Both intake and exhaust on #1 looked about the same height.



Intake



Exhaust

Before I adjusted the intake on #1 to .008", I checked to see if it was tight or loose from .006". It was slightly snug - only had to turn the screw counterclockwise by 1/8 of a turn.

Then I proceeded to follow Colin's suggestion (see above).



Getting at the injector (note: I vacuumed the debris out of that area shortly after I took this picture! =D> )



Getting the carb cleaner down the hole.

Drove MZ two days around town and then took her out on the freeway for a longer trip to get her nice and hot.

She goes in tomorrow for a compression test. Fingers crossed that I blew out the carbon (if there was any) and got the valve nicely seated (if it had a gap due to carbon build up).

[Amskeptic]

OK.
Took a peek at the adjustment screws. Both intake and exhaust on #1 looked about the same height.

Before I adjusted the intake on #1 to .008", I checked to see if it was tight or loose from .006".
It was slightly snug - only had to turn the screw counterclockwise by 1/8 of a turn.
Drove MZ two days around town and then took her out on the freeway for a longer trip to get her nice and hot.
She goes in tomorrow for a compression test. Fingers crossed that I blew out the carbon (if there was any) and got the valve nicely seated (if it had a gap due to carbon build up).

Here's hoping!

Now #1 was what, 110 lbs/in? What number have they deigned to be "insufficient"?
The factory says 76 !! is the lower limit, 85 ! is the bottom side of normal. Tell your compression tester people. A lot of people do not know that Type 4 engines have a 85-135 psi compression test range.
Colin

[misszora]

Well that's a relief. It was sudden though and just that one.
And she isn't running very well - less power than this summer. But I had solid power before the 3000 mile tune-up before driving to Burning Man. huh.

[Bleyseng]

She was running lean but I don't know for how long. She's been gets premium gas.

Why do you say this? An air/fuel ratio test?