Nate N.

Hey, my '99 civic four cylinder dx automatic with 165k has been losing approximately one quart of oil every 300 miles since a head gasket replacement with head resurfacing one month ago. The problem has been ongoing since the repair and now all four spark plugs are covered in oil with rough idling for the first five minutes of cold engine driving. The mechanics who did the work claim that the new higher engine compression after the head gasket replacement is the cause of this issue and suggest that the exhaust valve stem seals need replaced along with all other valve stem seals using specific tools and without taking the head off. After spending $1500 to have the head gasket replaced, I'm reluctant to go ahead with new and costly work that they're only "80%" confident will solve the problem.

The car has only leaked about one quart every 1,000 to 1,500 miles in the past, presumably from the oil pan, and is showing no new leakage collected from cardboard underneath the engine. Nor is there any other visible oil leakage from the engine. There is no blue or any discoloration to the exhaust fumes either. Also, the coolant level is normal and there is no appearance of coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant. Do you guys think these mechanics might be correct? Any other possibilities that you can think of would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

09chaplak

If I'm reading this correctly you didn't have the stems replaced and are questioning whether or not it is the stems. Can you pull the spark plugs and snap a picture of those bad boys?

Nate N.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that all four plugs are covered in oil, and, yes, I'm trying to confirm if it is in fact the exhaust valve stem seals and higher engine compression that's causing the problem and not a problem with the head gasket replacement and resurfacing.

09chaplak

Well if the plugs are covered in oil then something's not sealing like it's supposed to, so it could be a number of things, a stem or the valve itself could be the cause or even the piston rings. I wouldn't rule out a head gasket problem just yet but you can be pretty sure that a big problem is something not sealing and oil is seeping into the cylinders. Can you perform a leak down test? That'll really help narrow down what's going on with your engine...
https://honda-tech.com/acura-integra...2A%2A-1491041/

Nate N.

Thanks for the leakdown test tip and link. I'm sure this will really help.

EsotericImage

iTrader: (8)

SO let me get this straight..

The seals werent leaking before the HG change. Then you paid 1500 for a new HG and also head resurface.

The "mechanic" says its because of higher compression because of head milliing. The compression will rise, but not a considerable amount. Depends of how much they shaved it. Usually .010-.015 is normal. Which wont make that much of a difference.

Scenario #1
If the car was overheated, Im leaning towards cylinders out of round and some blowby is pressurizing the crankcase. thus pushing oil past the seals as the stock PCV system isnt the best at evac'ing pressure

Scenario #2
The machine shop probably hot tanked the head with the seals on it and having them being old, probably damaged them. If theres no play in the guides, then seals should be an easy fix.

After $1500 for a simple HG swap, They should replace these for free!

Next time, do it yourself. Just the tools needed should cost about 80-100, HG 60, machine work 100, VC, intake and exhaust gaskets -60. Alot cheaper then 1500 bucks!

joey1320

Can I ask why was the headgasket replaced in the first place?
I doubt its a headgasket issue since all the plugs are covered in oil. This leads me to believe the valve seals are bad and considering the shop didn't replace - why the hell they wouldn't is beyond me - thats an easy lead.

The shop should do this work FOR FREE. Unless you told them not to do the seals prior. This should be the last time you use this shop amigo!!!

Nate N.

The head gasket definitely needed replacing, coolant was leaking internally. The head replacement definitely fixed the coolant problem, but this new issue of immense oil loss is quite perplexing.

Nate N.

Thanks for the input.

Nave43

Attachment 381331

Yellow and red were probably not properly cleaned and therefor didn't get a correct seal. Get new O-rings and put em in that's where i would start.

tony_2018

That makes some sense, I didn't realize these D motor needed those seals? I might have to look into that for the d15z7 and find out if it has that since I already replaced every other seal.

09chaplak

I don't recall seeing these either on my Y8 head, but I've been wrong before....

Nave43

Ive been wrong before as-well, i am pretty sure that diagram is from an F series motor. But couldn't find an exploded diagram for what i needed. I had the diagram laying around from trying to fix my friends accord. Same problem you are having.

Norlael

were the cam oil seals changed? did you use a drop of hondabond on the valve cover gasket corners? did you put a thin layer on the cam seals OD? did you replace distributor o-ring? is there any signs of oil leakage on the head or sides of the block? could the head gasket may have been installed wrong? have you done a leakdown and compression test? is the oil filter tight? is the oil drain bolt tight?

tony_2018

Oh for **** sake give me a minute.............

tony_2018

I would suggest looking into to replacing the valve cover grommets that go around the spark plug opening.

Nave43

/\ Thats what i said lol

joey1320

OP which part of the spark plug is getting soaked in oil?
The terminal/insulator or center/side electrodes?

tony_2018

Well you kinda highlight other gaskets in your image and I didn't want to confuse OP.

Nave43

Touche'