13Beast

Hi guys,

This is my first post, so a warm hello to you all!

Perhaps you can help me with my current problems...

I am in Japan, and currently drive a late '97 ('96 spec) JDM Integra DC2R.

Recently, I was heading off to work in the early morning and started my car. I let it idle/warm up for a few minutes. Everything was ok. I then drove it down the street in first gear, and as I came to a halt (after only 50 metres), it started making a very strange sound for a few seconds - a high-pitched sound like metal scraping/scratching metal. Then it started instantly producing a LOT of smoke from the exhaust.

It was cold, windy and raining, so I couldn't see exactly how much smoke was coming out through the rain-soaked back window (definitely noticeable though) so I kept driving for another few minutes.

The car didn't make any more strange sounds, the idle and power was perfectly ok, there was no engine warning lights, temperature gauge was ok too and the car was driving normally. I had to drive for another km or so, even up a long hill under load - and again, absolutely no issues with how the car drove whatsoever...but...a LOT of smoke was coming from the exhaust - especially when I revved the engine. I drove it home, parked it up and let it sit for a couple days.

A few days later, I completed a thorough visual inspection of the car under and inside the engine bay. The vehicle was NOT started.

I checked all around the head as it mates to the block for any signs of fluid leakage. I couldn't find any. I also checked the inlet manifold as it mates to the head and that was clean as a whistle too. While at it; I checked the water pump, thermostat and also made sure all vacuum lines to and from the top end were all both dry and crack/split free, which they indeed all were.

I checked the oil - the level is fine, and the color whilst somewhat dark brown (last oil change was 3000kms ago) was of good texture and absent from any froth or coolant residue. Same goes for under the filler cap, and I had a peek down into the top of the valve train and the oil deposits there seemed fine too.

I inspected the radiator cap and ran my finger inside and under the lip of the top of the radiator end tank and it was just nice clean bright green coolant and very full - so unlikely the engine has consuming much/any coolant at all. My one concern here is that with the sudden and recent on-set of symptoms as I described may explain why the level/texture is still good, yet I may still have a blown head. I hope that's not the case.

Underneath the car, all of the block and gearbox, exhaust, engine mounts, sub-frame, suspension control arms are all oil free and clean. I also looked at the exhaust where it mates to the catalytic converter; as blow-by/oil/coolant out the exhaust will likely collect there and may leak from the couplings. However it was all clean too.

I recently had Ryo @ Seeker (you guys probably know of Seeker service the car about 4 months back, and I had him do a full check over and I'm sure that if there had been any existing coolant/oil leakage from the block/head or what-not (if it had been a gradual thing and early symptoms obvious per se) he would've alerted me to it.

Today, I checked the plastic induction to the throttle body - bone dry, zero oil from any blow-by.

Started it up, car started first pop, idled great, purred like a kitten as it always does. Had the radiator cap as I cranked it over, and there was no bubbles coming through. The level did expand though after a few seconds, and I had to put the cap back on as it began to pressurize. Is that normal with these cars?

It was smoking a little out the exhaust, but only perceptible when standing at the muffler and crouching down quite close. The inside of the muffler was dripping with oil though!

Pulled the plugs - they were all fairly linear in their condition. A little black, but nothing untoward. The first plug had a tiny drop of oil on the threads... hmmm a potentially ominous sign perhaps?

I also threw a vacuum gauge and checked it at idle and revs. From what little I know about reading vacuum, it seems pretty healthy - nice steady needle, not dropping erratically at any time. Nice movement with throttle blips.

Here are the youtube links:



At the moment, I can take it to Seeker, but it's a 1.5 hour drive on the highway in traffic - VERY nervous to do that. The other option is get it towed there... That will cost about $400. Welcome to Japan and ridiculous costs for even the most simplest of things (don't even get me started on $5 pieces of broccoli, or the $40 melons).

At the moment, I'm trying to see if it's something minor that I can pick up and fix myself easily. Or worst case scenario, be 100% sure that it's f**ked, so the $400 tow pays for itself

One more idea, how about the PCV valve? It was quite loose where it fitted into the inlet manifold. It was still in place in the manifold, but I could wiggle it around quite easily. Is that normal? I didn't check the hoses for it yet as they are quite old and I didn't have any spare vacuum hose to put on there if I damaged the existing hose. From what I read, a PCV issue will also result in abnormal vacuum readings and an erratic idle/power - none of which I have. Hmmmmm.

Also, I haven't run a compression check yet - as I haven't had anybody around with me to crank it over while I hold the gauge in place. Definitely know it has to be done.

Cheers guys!

*This has to be the longest first post in forum history!*

P.S. I'm also on EK9.org, and have posted this on there too, so apologies if some of you are reading this twice

fcm

How is the brake fluid level?

What color is the smoke?

Disconnect the vac hose off the brake booster and plug it, do you still get smoke, [white smoke]?

If not, brake fluid is leaking into the booster and being sucked into the intake manifold and cylinders and burning. 94