zxguy1986

Just collecting some experience. How much oil does your '84-'89 VG30ET engine leak, burn or just use up - that you just replace over time? Do you know where that oil is going? Is it worth the time to fix it? Thanks for the info!

reddzx

how many cars have you owned in your life? Not many I suppose because any and all cars can leak oil from many places whether they are turbo or not. Common spots on the VG30 are valve cover gaskets, cam, crank seals, Turbo oil seals. But really, as with any engine, all the gaskets and oil seals can leak. power wash the engine then park it over a sheet of clean cardboard to help trace the leak.

zxguy1986

Thanks Reddzx - but that's not what I asked. (I've been driving cars for 40+ years, have owned and driven a Z31 since June of '86)

My turbo is not leaking anywhere - when it's parked. My Zs do not leak. I am asking other Z31T owners here how much oil they are replacing - and where do they think it's going. I appreciate the info.

86tcoupe

I guess I 'll chime in I only noticed about normal oil consumption in the 86t 3'4 qt in 1000-1300 miles and never had a oil leak
If the rubber gaskets have turned to almost hard plastic then so have the top end seals /gaskets . you can do the oil dye thing to find leaks
You will only see oil burning out the back exhaust for 1-2 seconds when cold and smell it to which is a good idication of burning oil
you can then separate it before the cat or pull a O2 sensor to see how much smoke is there all the time.
I bought a 97 dakota 3.9L a while back only noticed a lite oil smell when 1st started , then clean but found it burned 1qt in 100 miles after buying i incar overhauled cheap so ok.

zxguy1986

Thanks for the input. Half my gaskets on my '86T may be original. We had to take it down to the head on one side to get room to work on the exhaust manifold there - so replacing all the gaskets was a natural. There were no gasket or seal leaks anywhere.

I'm thinking about what Reddzx said above - about the turbo oil seals. I am thinking that they may be leaking a little on the road but not when the Z is parked. That would explain the missing oil, though it's not a lot, maybe 1/2 a quart in a month, depending on how often I hit the boost ... There is no oil smell or oil smoke in the exhaust ever, even starting cold. My '86na has spoiled me. It never used a drop between oil changes. I'm guessing the turbo oil seals would be a pain to get to. Cheaper to just check oil level regularly and replace what's missing. Wrong in principle, right in what's practical !?!

PredatorZ

my 84 had a really tiny drip from the oil pan, never enough to warrant adding any between changes, just annoying finding the occasional dime sized drip. All that dripping will end on that vg30e, since I have it out and on a stand, over the winter I will replace all the gaskets and redo the timing belt / water pump so she is ready to go into my next project

zxguy1986

Yeah, the quality of the original VG30 motors is something amazing. You have to almost hope for a blowout so you have an excuse to replace the gaskets and seals. Not that anyone wants to do all that work - and basic mechanics hate to do it, charge mucho dollars. You have to love the car.

Sounds like you're doing some special work there, PredZ. Keep it up! Latest pics would be cool.