Josh DeMoss

Ok, so I have a 1994 civic coupe, with the stock d15b7 with 161,000 miles on everything. I noticed that it burns quite a bit of oil, so my first thought was that either the valve seals, or piston rings are bad. So in order to narrow it down, I did a compression test on all cylinders, and all cylinders pulled between 160, and 180 psi. I'm not sure what normal compression is for these motors, but I assume that those are good numbers. Also, when I pulled the plugs, all of them were completely soaked with oil on the ceramic and fouled out. So with the oil on the ceramic, I'm thinking that it's either valve seals, or valve cover gasket seal/spark plug grommets, but with the plugs being fouled, that's got me thinking that maybe there is something wrong with the bottom end.
I bought a d15b vtec head to do a mini me swap, and I'm going to take it and have it machined, Port and Polish, and better internals, but I don't want to throw it in there if the bottom end is messed up.
Also, there are absolutely no ticks, knocks, or any noises of any kind. Just smokes, and burns alot of oil. About 5 quarts a month daily driving. Any thoughts or input is appreciated.

Former User

Post numbers for each individual cylinder dry versus after additing 1 tablespoon of engine oil.

Replace the spark plugs.

Post the CEL codes.

Are the PCV hoses and valve installed? Is the valve clogged?

Josh DeMoss

Check engine light is not on, and none of the pcv hoses are clogged.
From left to right
Cylinder 1: 175 psi
Cylinder 2: 170 psi
Cylinder 3: 160 psi
Cylinder 4: 170 psi

Former User

Cyl 3 looks problematic. With versus without oil comparison?

CEL works?

PCV valve clogged?

Josh DeMoss

I topped it off with oil before I did the compression test, and the cel works as far as I know. I've had it for a few months now, and it's never come on.

Former User

Google search compression tests. Compression tests are done with and without addition of 1 tablespoon of oil to the cylinder to evaluate piston ring wear.

If the CEL never comes on, then it doesn't work. Check whether the bulb has been removed or is burned out.

Josh DeMoss

So run the compression test on the cylinder like normal, and then drop a tablespoon of oil into the plug hole and run it again on the same Cylinder? And other than burning oil, I've never had any issues with it, so I just figured it never had a reason to come on.

Former User

Yes.

And when you turn the key from OFF to ON(II), the CEL should come on for 2 seconds and then turn off if no codes are thrown.

Josh DeMoss

Honestly, I've never even paid attention to see if it comes on when you first turn the key. I won't be able to do anything else to it until tomorrow though.

Josh DeMoss

Ok. I'll run another compression test again tomorrow, and post the numbers.

TomCat39

When you say left to right, is this when you are facing the motor?

If it is, your #1 is actually #4 and vice versa.

#1 is on the drivers side on left hand drive vehicles and #4 is on the passenger side of left hand drive vehicles.

And, if you don't see the CEL kick on for two seconds and turn off when you first turn the key to the on (II) position, the bulb may have been pulled to throw off that it's throwing codes.

From my experience of the D15B7, it will burn lots of oil and foul the plugs without throwing codes. Sticky rings and oil ring problems seem to be a pretty common them on the D15B7. Still runs strong, just stinks and goes through a fair amount of oil. And will mess up emission testing.

eghatch9295

iTrader: (1)

all of mine have used some oil, but a quart+ a week is too much. 300k on the last one, ate 2 qts between changes.

Josh DeMoss

Ya, that's what I meant, looking at the motor from the front bumper. And I've had a few different cars with the same motor and have never had a problem with oil burning. And it uses a little more than a quart of oil a week. I have to treat it like a rotary and put oil in it every time I fill up with gas lol.
Is there any good way to determine if there's something wrong with the piston rings, or Cylinder walls without pulling the head?

eghatch9295

iTrader: (1)

yes, but first post up proper compression test numbers.

Josh DeMoss

I'll post them when I get a chance to do it again. Probably won't be able to do it today. Got alot of other stuff going on.