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Old 04-15-2018, 09:51 PM   #1
mgtf1500
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Default Oil mist on left side of engine

I have a car that mists oil form somewhere -- Breather Cap? Dip Stick hole - some other unknown place. Where does this mess come from and how do I fix it?

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Old 04-15-2018, 10:03 PM   #2
Bulligen
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

Its your breather. Without taking you engine apart, sometimes a road draft tube gets the fumes to down under the car where they are carried away. Or you can put a white cotton sock over it to catch the oil. You can then actually see how much oil vapor you are catching? You probably have some weak rings.
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Old 04-15-2018, 10:51 PM   #3
Charlie Stephens
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

Be sure the dip stick is all the way into the block.

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Old 04-16-2018, 05:55 AM   #4
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

The vendors carry the accessory unit that fits into the breather tube and carries the mist to under the car. Here's the one from Snyder's: https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/oil-breather
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Old 04-16-2018, 07:26 AM   #5
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

I would add the breather tube from Snyder’s, we have used on all the Model A’s we have owned.

If you have a high mileage engine, you might want to also try a heavier weight engine oil. 20w-50 is used by a lot of guys in the Model A.

Add the breather, you will be happy with the result. Enjoy.
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Old 04-16-2018, 08:54 AM   #6
Kurt in NJ
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

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Where do you have the oil level, if it is at the "F"or above I have seen oil spray out the breather till it gets below the "F", try lowering the oil level some
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Old 04-16-2018, 12:41 PM   #7
Ron in Quincy
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

You can use a plain copper scrub pad, cut a large piece and place it in the tube under the oil cap, push it down to the louvers. As the oil collects on the pad it will run back into the oil pan and not end up on the left side of the engine.

Works well for me for a lot of years.

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Old 04-16-2018, 02:08 PM   #8
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

# 7 works very well with weak rings and blow-by.
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Old 04-16-2018, 04:49 PM   #9
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

I have a 1929 Roadster and it has the larger Model B filler. I never had a problem, but two of my friends got cars after me with the stock more narrow original tube. We have switched both cars now to the wider, longer Model B tube...fixed that problem of blow by. Not original but FORD and better than new!
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Old 04-16-2018, 05:32 PM   #10
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

Those oil breather tubes are another example of the LHD focus of parts houses. There is nothing provided to secure the lower end of the tube. I wire it to the engine mount but it is and looks rather crude.
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Old 04-16-2018, 06:58 PM   #11
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

There is also the PCV option.

See Brierleys book, mine works very well.

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Old 04-16-2018, 08:08 PM   #12
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine



stock breather and a right side breather off the valve cover,upper rear..
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Old 04-16-2018, 11:13 PM   #13
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

Look at the center main bolt. Seepage there sometimes.
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Old 04-17-2018, 09:27 AM   #14
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

A caution:

I have seen "steel wool" used in place of copper pot scrubbers in breather tube.

Water vapor collects on steel wool which causes rust then as steel wool falls apart the small pieces of steel wool drop into the oil pan and get in bearings etc.
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Old 04-17-2018, 10:07 AM   #15
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in Quincy View Post
You can use a plain copper scrub pad, cut a large piece and place it in the tube under the oil cap, push it down to the louvers. As the oil collects on the pad it will run back into the oil pan and not end up on the left side of the engine.

Works well for me for a lot of years.

Ron
BUT, adding ANYTHING, in the tube or cap raises crankcase pressure & causes more leakage, especially at the REAR MAIN.
Mist is mainly a problem at higher speeds & longer runs, THEN, just use a sock & don't WURRY about it. It's just one of Model As IDIOSYNCHROCIES!
IDIOSYNCHRIC, was Greggs, (RIP!) one word definition of me! I considered it as a COMPLIMENT.
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Old 04-17-2018, 10:09 AM   #16
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

..
Maybe check first if your oil breather/filler pipe is oriented the right way as in the picture. JP

..
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Old 04-17-2018, 10:13 AM   #17
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

Quote:
Originally Posted by GMCPASO View Post
# 7 works very well with weak rings and blow-by.
You made me go back and count each response to see which one was #7! lol
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Old 04-17-2018, 11:24 AM   #18
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

Quote:
Originally Posted by BillEbob View Post
You made me go back and count each response to see which one was #7! lol
???

Quote:
Originally Posted by HDowse View Post
The vendors carry the accessory unit that fits into the breather tube and carries the mist to under the car. Here's the one from Snyder's: https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/oil-breather
With the added benefit of it acting as a Road Draft tube.
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Old 04-17-2018, 03:34 PM   #19
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

SST scowling pads work well, that is what I use. No rust that way.
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Old 04-18-2018, 12:02 AM   #20
Ron in Quincy
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Default Re: Oil mist on left side of engine

All A engines have to breath, that is why all oil tubes are not the same, Ford no doubt was getting complaints about blow by, you do not have to have worn rings to have blow by.

This is why I suggested, for a quick fix, using a copper scower pad as it is course and even though it collects oil fumes it still allows the engine to breath.

If you go to swap meets you might find an old Fumaze which has a special bracket that holds it in place, a lid that opens for adding or changing oil, a tube that extends down about 1 foot to carry the fumes out.

Do not use steel wool as it is fine and you will end up with some of it going into the oil pan, bad deal !!!!!!

Ron

Last edited by Ron in Quincy; 04-18-2018 at 11:10 AM. Reason: To move post
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