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TR4/4A TR4A oil in exhaust

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Captains_Call

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Hello . . . I'm new to this forum and new to Triumphs. I'm considering purchasing a 1966 TR4A that had a frame off restoration and engine rebuild back in 2000. The restoration was done by a prior owner and the current owner has put about 5000 mi on the car since the restoration. The odometer reads 60,000. The current owner is quite meticulous about the vehicle. I inspected the vehicle this weekend. On startup (cold), I noticed a pattern of oil droplets on the floor that extended about a foot out from the exhaust tips in a fan shaped pattern. The engine did not smoke and I could find no leaks when inspecting the vehicle after driving it. Is this something to be concerned about? I plan to have a mechanical inspection done, but any tips/insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
 
Welcome to the forum!
My guess is that those droplets are condensation in the exhaust system due to winter temperatures. A second guess is a rich carb mixture, exacerbated by the choke at start-up.
Sounds like you found yourself a nice TR4!
 
You might read thru this:
https://www.vtr.org/buyers-guide/index.shtmlre

Welcome, BCF is best place to be. There could be a club or someone near to help you look. Don't rush, this isn't the only car out there.

Could just be running rich and snot is from moisture. I would be much more interested in overall condition of car. Rust was my main consideration. If frame off then what did it look like before and how good is the guy that did it.
These are strong motors. Check the frame and body. Much more expense and work in body and frame than mechanicals.
Post pictures for a good critique.

66 4A I loooove mine. Good choice but not the only one.
 
How did you know they were oil?

I agree with JFS, most likely they were water that had condensed in the exhaust system, mixed with soot left there from a bit too much choke when starting. Perfectly normal. In fact, all cars expel a bit of water after a cold start, it just normally doesn't have any soot to mix with due to improved mixture control.
 
Welcome to the forum where all questions can, and will be answered. Here's my attempt to inform.

Oil droplets on cold start indicates oil getting past valve gudes, piston rings, or PVC valve. With the engine and exhaust system being cold, the oil probably would not burn and would blow out the tail pipe in it's original form, ie, liquid.
Was the interior of the tail pipe wet?
If liquid oil on cold start, there should be smoke when the engine is up to operating temp.

Testing for the cause:

1. PVC...disconnect the PVC hose from the intake manifold, plug the intake where the hose went, start and watch for oil droplets.
2. Piston rings require a leak down test.
3. Valve guides are a little more involved. Others on the forum will chime in with the best way to determine if this is the problem.

Final question: Are you sure it was purely oil coming out of the tail pipe and not just a combination of carbon, condensation, and a little oil (which in these engines is normal as they wern't built to the tolerences of todays engines) which will always be present in the exhaust system. If no smoke out of a hot engine, this would be my guess.

And if there are no other oil leaks on the engine, it's probably out of oil.

Others please jump in.
 
CC,
Welcome. The condition you noted is pretty normal/common. Soot and water. Maybe running a tad rich.
When you return rub up a spot and I'll bet it will be dry not oily.
 
Mine does that on start up and my engine is all rebuilt by myself so I know it's normal. As someone said above, these old fashioned carbs mean that the mixture is rich on a choked startup, mix with condensation and there's the fantail of black droplets.
 
Yes normal, I always pay attention to what is parked behind me on a cold start-up. Especially try to avoid SWMBO's Toyota.
 
TR3driver said:
How did you know they were oil?

I agree with JFS, most likely they were water that had condensed in the exhaust system, mixed with soot left there from a bit too much choke when starting. Perfectly normal. In fact, all cars expel a bit of water after a cold start, it just normally doesn't have any soot to mix with due to improved mixture control.
Click to expand...

:iagree: Not at all uncommon with most cars, especially those without a catalytic converter.
 
Quite the norm I have a roll of craft paper and I cut a 5 ft. piece from to keep the splatter under control due to the 3 carb set up
 
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