ing-schu@online.no Posted April 26, 2008 Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 I replaced the rear valvecover gasket, and was pleased with the view when I took off the valvecover: This KL has covered 154k km's , the last 108k by me. Maintenance: Performed according to Mazda recommendations, part from more frequent oilchanges the first 50k, unknown oil quality. I have used only Castrol since, TXT 5W-30 the first 50k and Magnatec 5W-40 the last 50k, changed with filter every 15k km's. Both fully synthetic oils according to Castrol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mts Posted April 26, 2008 Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 Always good to see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MazdaMomma Posted April 27, 2008 Report Share Posted April 27, 2008 very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troutman Posted April 30, 2008 Report Share Posted April 30, 2008 There are some who say it is important to rev a bit more for engine cleanliness. Did you know there is a thread in the watercooler in which one may inquire and purchase an official MW.net decal? Deadline is now..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ing-schu@online.no Posted April 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2008 Revving an engine, within reason, is beneficial once its warm, but I believe what's crucial is decent oil and above all to avoid shorttrip driving. I rarely drive less than 15 miles unless the engine is already warm. Here are some pics of the internals in my Toyota shorttrip banger, that's not a pretty sight... 21 years, 290k km, the last 30k with dino Castrol diesel engine oil, previous history unknown/ dodgy but still running smooth: The Castrol managed to loose up the gunk; it was easy to remove mechanically but certainly not enough to make the internals clean during driving. I removed two large handfuls from the valvecover and valvetrain, no kidding. Buildup was evident everywhere. I suspect dodgy maintenance and crappy oil, but these engines are tough. Not even a single valvetic from the HLA's... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troutman Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 Most impressive. I concur regarding short trips and oil also, I am extremely strict in both areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
///BHRpowered Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 ....damn that 2nd pic is dirty as hell. I assume you replaced the gaskets due to a leak? I believe in avoiding shorttrips, in the Millenia I never drive less then atleast 7 miles, which in my area can be 20-40 minutes, most importantly I let it warm to operating temp before ever shutting off the engine. *I drive no less then 7 miles, 90% of the time its 20-30 miles* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ing-schu@online.no Posted May 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 No I was troubleshooting a misfire or lack of compression, and suspected a burnt valve due to a cylinder #2 lack of bang. It turned out to be a vacuum leak, notice the missing cap on the vacuum outlet on, correct, cylinder #2 intake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troutman Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 Warming up is a no brainer, but warming 'down' is an interesting concept because in theory, an already hot, idling engine in a stationary with little air flow should get hella hot rather than cooling down. One thing I do do however is lift the bonnet when I get home and shut off the engine. The reason being, this is when the engine is hottest (due to full engine heat, but cooling system shut down). I figure it would help reduce heat soak into hoses and such. My own tests have proven this effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MazdaMomma Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 never thought of that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ing-schu@online.no Posted May 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 Leaving the engine to idle a couple of minutes after hard driving (like hillclimbing) is a good idea; crucial on turboed cars without watercooled turbo. The point is the heat production during hard driving is mainly in the heads, meaning they are hotter than the rest of the engine and also the average coolant temperature. Idling will allow the coolant as well as the oil to equal engine temperatures before shutdown. Flipping the hood does not harm of course but what about spectators? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troutman Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 No spectators in my garage, but I will take this information on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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