Rattastic2231

i bought an 83 Accord LX hatchback about a month ago with only ~75k original miles. I'm the third owner and the previous owner told us the car sat for over 10 years. It runs Ok but there is blueish/white smoke coming out of the exhaust and it doesn't seem to have much power. At first we thought it might be a warped cylinder or bad rings, but with only 75k miles it didn't make sense to me. So i did some research and read that in early CVCC engines the Auxiliary valves can vibrate loose.

What can i do to pinpoint which problem i'm having? Opinions are appreciated.

I Just graduated high school and am trying to learn more about cars.

lazlong

First things first, get a service manual. Barring that get a Chilton or Haynes manual.

Second, it could be any number of things but, if I could hazard a guess I'd say it's a bad headgasket. They go bad over time as well as use. Are you loosing coolant? Try doing a compression test and a leakdown test if necessary. If you don't know how to do a compression or leakdown test check out Ericthecarguy on Youtube.

Rattastic2231

I have the original Honda service manual. I don't think it's a head gasket because the oil is just fine and i'm not loosing coolant nor can i smell coolant burning. I already planned on doing a compression test and i'll check out youtube and find out how to do a leakdown test.

Rattastic2231

I read a post saying to run a higher octane gas with a car like this.. Is there any truth to that?

Rattastic2231

Tightened the auxiliary valves and got rid of 90% of the smoke. Also replaced the spark plug wires (old ones actually said 1982 on them) got a little power back but not much.

lazlong

How did the compression test go?

leeanders

I do not believe a higher octane gasoline will be of any benefit.

Rattastic2231

Forget that i posted this one.

Rattastic2231

Cylinder 1,3 and 4 are at about 150PSI, but number 2 is not even 90. Could the ring just be stuck? The car sat for a LONG time and i've only put 400-500 miles on it since i bought it. We tried some ring sealer but it didn't do anything. should i try to put some Marvel mystery oil in the spark plug hole?

Rattastic2231

Did a piston soak with Marvel mystery oil, and also put some in the crankcase and fuel tank. I've only drove the car 40 miles and it already sounds betters, idles better, and almost completely got rid of the smoke. Some people say it's just snake oil but it really works. Will probably do another piston soak this weekend.