Track related issues

[IainL]

Hi all,

First of all thanks for the great resource that this forum provides. It has been great so far in my short mr2 ownership! I have a 52 Reg MR2 on just shy of 100k miles.

I'd like to ask about a couple of issues that have arisen from doing a track day in the car (they don't seem to be an issue in normal driving).

Firstly - what do those of you who drive on track consider a 'normal' amount of oil use? My car used almost a litre over a day (blue smoke seen by observers at high revs). Doesn't seem to burn any noticeable amount during normal driving. I'm aware of the known piston control ring issues, but couldn't find anything related to track use - so wanted to ask what the 'norm' was. I plan on changing the PCV valve as a first point of call. The pre-cats were in good condition until I had them removed recently.

Secondly - on standard pads with super blue fluid. The front right pad wore down c.75% in the track day whereas front left showed very little wear. It was noticeably hotter than the other wheels. No obvious pulling to one side during driving or braking. My current guess is that the caliper is sticking/dragging slightly on release and the wear is exaggerated by the loads/heat on track. Does this seem a reasonable assumption?

I have very limited skills (I can change fluids and pads/disks but that's about it). My original plan was to just replace that caliper along with yellow stuff pads all round, but am reluctant to throw money at it without consulting some more knowledgeable people than I (i.e you guys). Any thoughts?

Many thanks,
Iain

[Carolyn]

Hello and welcome.  It does sound as though one side is dragging on the disc. If you remove the slider bolts and clean them and then lubricate with 'Ceratec', that could well do the job, without buying a new calliper.  You might as well do both fronts.  The rears work slightly differently, but cleaning and lubing the sliders is still a good idea, every time you change pads.

Dean Roizer, who used to recycle a lot of roadsters, told me that many regular racers reported using a litre of oil at every meet!  Do keep it topped up during the day.  Letting the oil get to 1 litre down is asking for a spun rod bearing.

[IainL]

Thanks Carolyn - very helpful.

I'll do as you say and give the slider bolts a clean/lube if that might help,  whilst putting in some more standard pads (rather than risk ruining a more expensive set of yellow stuff pads) to see if that works.

Reassuring regarding the oil usage - I was hoping the fact it was ok in normal road use was a good sign. I was checking and refilling oil at the last track day after every stint luckily..

[potge]

I have similar oil consumption with 120k+ on the clock. And on average on normal use I have 150ml/1000 miles.

Nonetheless, and while it still has not broken down, I don't think is normal.

Not sure if sloshing is to blame or my engine is starting to part ways.

Last year we run a compression test and used an endoscope to check precats and everything looked normal.

[Alex Knight]

I used to track various Hondas (B-Series and K-Series) and they would regularly get through a litre per trackday.

High RPM and multivalve engines do tend to burn a bit of oil as a by-product of their nature. Keep an eye on it and top up to slightly past full at the lunch break.

I only *ever* check my oil level when the engine is as cold as possible, and would encourage you to do the same.

Additionally, I wouldn't use cheap pads on track. It will end your day quickly if you are braking at anywhere near what the car is capable of.

[IainL]

Thanks all - very useful replies

[potge]

For what is worth it, Mobil1 ESP and Fuchs  Race Pro S at 5w-30 behaved similarly in my case.

Will probably swap to 5w-40 and need to fiddle a bit with heat wrapping etc as the engine bay gets hotter than I would like.

Out of curiosity for those who have buffled sumps was there any difference before and after?