While driving on the motorway my '64 Super Minx experienced what certainly seemed like an engine failure. Since getting it home on a trailer I must admit I'm not experienced enough to guess just from symptoms what might be to blame, or if that's even possible to guess, but would be interested in some thoughts! I will be doing a leak down test shortly.
Symptoms from the breakdown
- Sudden loss of power at ~80mph.
- Change in engine tone (mechanically slightly louder, but not rattly).
- Smoke escaping from engine (and into the interior).
- Thick white smoke coming from oil cap when removed (like shisha smoke!)
- Engine oil at same level as beginning of journey, no major leaks, no change in colour or consistency.
Before the breakdown
- Engine would consistently burn oil at a rate of ~1ml per mile.
- Exhaust fumes were relatively clear when warm, though white when engine cold.
- Engine oil and filter replaced regularly, kept topped-up to max.
- When I first got the car one of the cylinders wasn't firing. After injecting a bit of oil into it it seemed to seal and there was enough compression to ignite again, though there was an increased tapping noise for about 100 miles that eventually subsided. That was about 5k miles ago.
After the breakdown
- Engine starts and runs with no noticeable noise difference (though this is at much lower revs of course).
- The sound from the exhaust seems louder, though still consistent (firing on all cylinders by the sounds of it).
- Coolant level doesn't appear to be depleted.
- Engine oil level still the same, still the same consistency.