Originally Posted by
AndyK
Hi there,
Well thanks for all of the advice, all seems well now thankfully.
The problems were all from a poorly radiator, the re-cored radiator now keeps the coolant at a lower temp even when the engine is working hard, the LR temp gauge doesn't go any higher than half way now. The engine block temp still rises as you'd expect when working hard but the new radiator can cope quickly cooling it back down.
The oil spray from the filler cap was due to a blocked filter element in the ProVent, the pressure relief valves didn't seem to do anything.
Here's my thoughts on the plumbing of the ProVent.
Firstly I've looked on the M&H website so I know the way I've plumbed it in now is not to their instructions but:-
the ProVent is primarily an air filter not an oil filter. With oily air going in the top, the oil mist filtered out has to pass through the filter element then drip down into the bottom of the unit. Therefore oil and air have to pass through the filter media. Also as air is sucked out through the bottom these drips could be sucked into the turbo inlet. The way I have plumbed it only air has to pass through.
if you look at the filter element itself the filter media support (metal mesh) is on the inside, so the inside of the filter element should be at a lower pressure than the outside causing the media to be "pushed" against the support (as I have plumbed it in) and not blown away from it (as per instructions.)
if oil mist goes in the top, there is a smaller surface area of ProVent and filter media available for the oil to separate than if it were to go in the bottom.
if oil mist enters through the bottom, oil which deposits on the Provent side and filter element can drop into the drain without having to migrate through the filter media which in turn leads to blockage.
the way I have it plumbed the ProVent in there is an oily side (the bottom of the unit) and a clean side (the top of the unit) from which air is drawn into the turbo. Plumbed in as per instructions, oil has to drain through the oil cleaned air!
After a four hour drive which included fast highway driving, hilly city work and a couple of minutes of full throttle climb up a steep hill, I had no oil spray. When I checked the ProVent filter element there were a few droplets of oil that stood proud on the surface and not in the filter media.
I realize that this is still early days but I'm happy with the way I've plumbed the ProVent in.
So there you have it, comments? (please be gentle!!)
Andy