Well, all was good.. until recently. A couple weeks ago, I had the engine re-sleeved, installing a blockguard, and new total-seal rings on my 81.5mm JE pistons. A couple days ago, I noticed that my valve-cover breather had disappeared, and found a lot of air coming out of that hole whenever the engine was started. Done a leak down, everything is still at 100%. Took out the turbo and checked it, everything is fine. Engine oil is disappearing too, at an alarming rate. It changes to a black colour rather quickly too but the car still drives okay. White smoke exits my exhaust under boost (according to my friend). Can someone help me out here?

 

These could be a problem. Total Seal rings (even the "newer" design) are still not recommended for your average Honda engine. How come you didn't you the JE rings or even OEM?

 

Total-Seal piston rings were available locally (there's a distributor in Thailand) and they had a size in stock that fit oversized JE pistons, so I just jumped to it. If I was to take the JE rings, i'd have to wait for them to get sent over from the US.. and I wanted the car up and running ASAP :S

Still, if it was the rings, wouldn't that have showed up in a leakdown test?

 

did you break the motor in properly? did you install the piston rings correctly? i agree with the other guys, ive heard nothing good about total seal rings..

 

I broke the engine in properly.. the rings were installed correctly, i'm quite sure of it. Think it could be the valves? Hard to believe though.. using Ferrea valves with Crower springs & retainers..

 

Read this...

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=170482

 

but can someone explain to me, if it was the rings, why the problem wouldn't show up in a leakdown? I don't understand..

 

If the oil rings are bypassing it wouldn't sure up on a leak down or compression test. I would pull it apart and check the gap on them , plus change the rings to either honda or JE rings and re-gap them. Good Luck!

 

I dont think that, that is true, can someone clear this up, it just doesnt make sense. if you dont get any leak down then how could it still let oil pass? i dont get it.....


Rob

 

Which do you think is higher, the pressure induced from a leak-down test or that of an actual combustion event?

 

That's no moon, it's a space station.



WTB: used hyperdrive off a millenium falcon.

sorry, OT. i bet the actual combustion event is a BIT more

 

There is a difference between compression rings and oil control rings. Just because it is not leaking air does not mean that oil is not getting burned in the combustion chamber.