PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

Had my VC off the other day replacing some seals and gaskets, and thought I would get some opinions on how the cams are looking, which hopefully might give some indication as to the condition of other engine internals.

Details:
- Bone stock 1994 GS-R B18C1 engine
- 288,000+ original miles on engine and transmission
- Head has never been off the block, transmission never opened
- Taken to 7000+ rpm several times a week, but usually I stay under 4000 rpm.
- Previous owner used Castrol GTX up until 89,000 miles when I bought it
- I used Mobil1 synthetic 5w-30 for about 25,000 miles (90K-115K on the odo)
- Switched to Valvoline MaxLife synth blend 5w-30 for about 160,000 miles (115K-275K odometer), changed every 3k miles
- Last summer I switched to Mobil1 synthetic 0w-30 changed every 6K miles (only 2 fills so far). Lately I've been going 6K miles in about 5 to 5.5 months.

I've tried to be very meticulous about maintenance these past 9 years and 200K miles. Only things I've replaced inside the head have been camshaft seals and cam end plug, plus various gaskets, etc. I'm sure the dark deposits around the cam rail bolts are from previous oil changes. The light-colored oil between the bolts on the cam rail is from the current fill of the 0w-30, which has about 4K on it now.

So what do y'all think? Cams still look pretty good?

4g4dcruisin

You've never changed the head gasket?

Scott_Tucker

Lookin' dandy sandy

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

Nope, car has never over heated, and I've never seen any oil in the coolant or vice versa. Current radiator (CSF aftermarket replacement) has been in the car for 6 years with the coolant (Prestone green mixed 50/50 with distilled water) changed every 2 years or so. Last time I looked through the radiator cap opening, it looked clean as a whistle inside.

I was losing some coolant a few months ago, and it turned out to be a busted radiator cap. I replaced that and coolant levels in the radiator and overflow tank have stayed pretty much constant.

4g4dcruisin

Oh **** i didnt even see you were the OP haha. Actually, i was thinking of the timing belt...the headgasket doesnt have to be replaced unless it "needs" to be ya know?

About your coolant problem that you had, i think i may have something similar. My overflow tank is constanly going dry, but im not leaking/burning/bubbling anything. Plus, the rad is always full when i pop the cap!

Not trying to hijack haha.

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

lol car is on it's 4th timing belt/water pump/tensioner. I changed it for the 3rd time when it had 270K miles (90K x 3), along with the clutch, new friction surface for my CM flywheel, cam seals, front and rear main seals, both front lower and rear engine mounts, oil pan gasket, axle seals, pass. side axle, transmission fluid, and one of the exhaust manifold studs that broke like 6 or 7 years ago but I was never able to drill it out until I had the engine out of the car. Yeah that weekend was long as hell.

When I took the rad cap off a few months ago, parts of the cap had actually broken off and were sitting in the top of the radiator on top of the core fins. So yeah it definitely wasn't making a good seal.

I had replaced every single coolant hose in the entire engine bay last year so I knew it wasn't any of those.

fourthgenhatchB17

Cams look fine, but thats quite a bit of accumulated crud on the cam rails, but thats pretty normal for your mileage.

PatrickGSR94

iTrader: (1)

Really? I've seen worse. Mainly it's just around the bolts and on the sides. The top and bottom surfaces for the most part looked pretty clean.

non-VTEC

look ok...im kinda surprised with the accumulation of what appears to be crud or sludge in some areas....especially with synthetic oils which usually doesn't happen.

but like you said there are much worse out there....just keep driving it and change the oil regularly........

i hear penzoil platinium does a very very good job and cleaning up stuff other oils leave behind....you can give that a shot and see how it goes if you like.

Kyle R

iTrader: (1)

Still running strong

kyden

its not in that bad of shape, but you do have quite some dark deposits on it.

this is my gsr head with ~240k miles. head was just rinsed off so the valvesprings could be installed.

mouab18c1

iTrader: (5)

For that many mileage im suprised it still looks that good. LOL

-RedneckDave-

Looks great.