new problem - where has my oil gone?

[valman]

hey guys,
just a quick question as the title really, in a 4 speed 1.4, what speed is achieved at red line in 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th? need to figure out if my clutch slips a bit now and then
cheers

[jon-ovlov]

The 1.4 doesn't really have a red-line. It's pushrod, so will keep going until it explodes.

[wiganer31]

jon isnt jokeing either lol

[Speedy88]

If you've got a clutch problem a good test would be try accelerating up a hill. If it's going to slip, you'll feel it.

[valman]

yeah i meant redline on the rev counters forgetting they arent standard on 1.4s
i think they do have a technical redline one i had never wanted to rev more than 6.5k (i was very angry with it)

[Attack2001]

I dont know if the ratios are changed or not, but with my 5 speed, red line in 2nd was about 30mph iirc

Thomas...............

[Ride_on]

Gearbox ratios are all the same, 4speed/5speed, its the diff that is different depending on the engine/model/year.

From memory 1st redlined at about 28, there are little dots on the speedo that indicate it, at least there was on my 1980 345 DL.

edit:
Checking a owners manual
1st 28
2nd 45
3rd 71 (75 for 2l)

Don''t seem to be any dots on the mk 3 speedo I have.

[theo2468]

I dont know if the ratios are changed or not, but with my 5 speed, red line in 2nd was about 30mph iirc

Thomas...............

2nd 30mph!?
thats 1st surely?

[valman]

I dont know if the ratios are changed or not, but with my 5 speed, red line in 2nd was about 30mph iirc

Thomas...............

2nd 30mph!?
thats 1st surely?

i second this,

Thanks for the info Ride_on! it seems that my clutch only slips after a few roundabouts then once it cools down its good to go again

[Speedy88]

Hmm either your technique is bad (slipping surface too much), you're REALLY giving it some or you've possibly got an oil leak thats seeping into the bellhousing.

It's worth a check dude, clutches shouldn't slip that much due to heat.

[macplaxton]

From memory 1st redlined at about 28, there are little dots on the speedo that indicate it, at least there was on my 1980 345 DL.

Don't know if they made a comeback in later years, but on the MY79-MY82 style Smiths dash, the MY82 ones don't have dots. (I've checked both manual and auto, neither has them). Not sure about MY81, but MY79 and MY80 have dots, at least for manuals.

[valman]

Hmm either your technique is bad (slipping surface too much), you're REALLY giving it some or you've possibly got an oil leak thats seeping into the bellhousing.

It's worth a check dude, clutches shouldn't slip that much due to heat.

ok well maybe this will help explain the next problem i've got - just checked the oil level and theres nothing in the car atall. maybe a 1mm on the dip stick, if that. after i did a service on it, that was about 12k ago, i checked the oil and topped it up two weeks after and all was well. no oil warning lights or anything, engine always below half way on temperature. but it seems that its been very low on oil for a very long time - so really, with no oil leaks that i can see, and no decrease in power - where the fuck has my oil gone? and more importantly why does it still drive as normal? any ideas guy? cold the piston rings be gone? it dosnt smoke, only when its first started it blows out a puff but im pretty sure thats just from the built up fuel in the carb as it takes 4 - 5 spins of the engine before it fires up?
heeeelp

P.S i know it needs servicing again, but im not too keen on doing it if all the oil will just disappear again, i cant afford to spend £20 on service bits to find its all gone in two weeks time with insurance renewal in a week along with £50 on a new starter i just got for it. any suggestions for getting a new engine? i cant find another 1.4 anywhere atm and i need it sharpish, what other options do i have? buying another car isnt an option atm im afraid

[Nimminz]

from your post and speedy's, I'd be checking for an oil leak into the bellhousing?

[Ride_on]

You havn't had an old car long? Oil leaks are common, rubber seals on camshafts and crankshafts get tired and leak aswell as bit of head covers and so on. Its not the end of the world, you just need to remove the driveshaft and clutch housing. Easy(ish) on a 340.

The oil light will not go on until there is no oil pressure, the engine will work fine until then but watch the oil light coming on round corners, you are grinding crank shaft then when you floor it. Make sure its come on when the engine is off though (to check its actually working).

My 940 turbo often goes off the end of the dipstick without any problem. I have leaky cam caps (metal-metal seal).

Its either dipping out the bottom of the engine or being burnt. Yes you shouldn't use/lose any oil but tricky in an old car without a rebuild.

[valman]

You havn't had an old car long? Oil leaks are common, rubber seals on camshafts and crankshafts get tired and leak aswell as bit of head covers and so on. Its not the end of the world, you just need to remove the driveshaft and clutch housing. Easy(ish) on a 340.

The oil light will not go on until there is no oil pressure, the engine will work fine until then but watch the oil light coming on round corners, you are grinding crank shaft then when you floor it. Make sure its come on when the engine is off though (to check its actually working).

My 940 turbo often goes off the end of the dipstick without any problem. I have leaky cam caps (metal-metal seal).

Its either dipping out the bottom of the engine or being burnt. Yes you shouldn't use/lose any oil but tricky in an old car without a rebuild.

well ive got a new clutch to go in to it since months ago so i suppose its a good excuse to do that lol, itll be off the road for a couple of weeks i imagine anyway. i just put 3 liters into it! the oil pressure light comes on randomly, its happened twice while driving along so far i think. theres no oil traces anywhere on it, weird! would a broken breather T piece allow some of the oil to escape through the rocker cover do you think?

thansk for all your help so far guys. im glad i have a volvo, any other car just wouldnt last due to my lack of resources hah!