ripcurl1998

I'll try to share everything that has happened in the last month. My 95 Honda Civic (daily driver to work) starting blowing blue smoke about a month ago and burning 1/2 qt. of oil during a 100 mile trip. I took it to three different mechanics and all said the engine needed a rebuild. So, I decided to go this route. After the engine was rebuilt, the car was still blowing the smoke...mechanic said this was residual oil...makes since. After driving the car for another 500 miles the car was still blowing smoke, but I could notice a difference in the car. The car had more compression and no longer was there oil on the spark plugs, but it was still consuming oil and blowing blue smoke. So, I took it back to the mechanic and he said the valves were out of adjustment...drove the car and car still blowing smoke. The car is back at the mechanic's shop now and they're trying to figure what is causing this smoke. They said all compression tests were excellent. I decided to change the PCV valve and the hose going from the valve to the intake last Wed. The hose was all fouled up internally. I drove the car to work Thurs. still blowing a little smoke (I thought residual), got home, checked the oil and it was still full...so, I thought the problem was resolved. Well, Fri. was a different story...drove the car to work (100 miles round trip), got home, checked the oil, back to burning a 1/2 qt. of oil again. I have no idea what it could be...could it be something before the PCV Valve...maybe the hose coming from the breather chamber to the PCV Valve or the hose itself.

The car has had the following items done:
1.) Engine Rebuilt
2.) New PCV Valve
3.) New hose from PCV Valve to Intake Manifold
4.) No more oil on spark plugs
5.) All compression checks good

I have no mods on the car. I just use it as a daily driver. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Former User

What does "engine rebuilt" include?

You may have some bad valve seals.

helltegg

is it worse at high rpms...valve seals/guides

ripcurl1998

I had a new head put in, new rings, new pistons, new bearings, all new seals (valve), new gaskets. Also, the problem is worse on initial startup. What I mean is when I start the car up, take off, I see the big cloud of blue smoke. Same goes when I get on the gas or take off from a complete stop. Appreciate the replies.

hondamark35

did the mechanic say anything about break in procedure.?

there are several different camps on this subject, but i think all would agree that there should be some routine to follow to ensure that the rings seat properly in the reworked engine. if not the culprit could be excessive cylinder oiling. you can have good dynamic compression numbers but still have inconsistent cylinder walls. a leakdown test by a qualified individual may reveal some information.

the rings and the valve seals are really the only two places you could be getting enough oil from to burn and give off blue smoke. rule one out, and you've pretty well solved it.

my opinion however, is that the three mechanics you talked to all did you a disservice by not suggesting a good, low-mileage used engine. it usally cost less (parts & labor) than a rebuild of equal quality. it's more reliable because the last person inside the engine was the guy on the assembly line who builds them all day. also most used engine suppliers will give a one year or optional three year warranty (for an added fee) on their engines.

helltegg

did you change da intake gasket that can also cause white/blue smoke but bet r its the valve seals

hondamark35

false.

likecatnipp

deffinatly would be improper break in if the rings dont set right those would be the symptoms...

g230sport

are you positive they rebuilt the motor.... and its not just a WV rebuild(clean and paint it)

idk, this is why i do my own work... never have to worry about trust with someone.

also, another question. did they hone the block, or did it ever see a machine shop. if they didnt hone the block, and just slapped a set of pistons and rings in it... the rings would have no roughness to seat in to... it would just be glaze...

ask them if they honed the block, i bet they probably didnt...

ripcurl1998

Positive the motor was rebuilt and the block saw the machine shop. So, it looks like it could be 1 of 3 problems:

1.) Valve Seals
2.) Rings
3.) Improper Break-In Procedure

My question is how can I narrow it down to one of these. I know it was mentioned earlier to do a leak down test. If it was an improper break-in procedure, is there a way to resolve this.

Again, thanks for all the replies. Driving the Tundra to work 100 miles every day is killing me compared to the Civic.

j0keefe21

ok my car had the same exact symptoms as yours after a rebuild. (my first rebuild so cut me some slack) its your rings are not sealing. either he didnt hone it (like me). or he didnt stagger the rings when putting it back together. time to tear it all back apart.