Hi everyone...I got my 96 Civic only a couple of months ago...used/good price. However, there are some flaws that I am only now seeing...

1. Seems not to be utilizing all the power. I replaced maintenance components like the distributor cap, plugs, wires, etc. I guess I need to do the fuel filter as well. But is there anything that could be majorly wrong with it?

2. There is a bit of white smoke when at higher rpms.

3. Does not leak a drop of oil, however, seems to burn it. This is a HUGE concern.

O Rings?

Please be advised that I am almost a beginner mechanic...only some work done on later model domestics when younger with my dad.

hmmmm...also timing belt prob needs replacing...it has 138,000 miles and I am doubting the previous owner did it....

Any help guys would be greatly appreciated....

 

Sounds like you're burning oil. It's *probably* the rings or valve seals. Pray for the latter. (or just swap it with a another one for around $400)

 

UGH...that is a huge job, no? To swap I mean.

How can I be sure? What can I do to check?

Please remember I am retarded a bit....

 

It'd be easier than replacing the rings in my opinion.

It would be easier for me anyway.

 

Oh yeah! Have you tried replacing the PCV valve?

 

white smoke through the exhaust = headgasket ... i think.

 

Steam and smoke = 2 different problems entirely.

 

Nope...def smoke. NOT steam.

Okay. So PCV valve. Okay.

Man...are you serious? Are you seriously telling me that it could need an engine swap....?

Okay. Well then. How long do you think THIS engine could last then? That is a major job....(serious confidence concerns on that level...)

I must've gotten taken with this car....shizz....

 

if worst case scenario is true, swaps are no sweat.

drive it over to andy at auto addictions in rochester hills and have him check it out.

 

How much does he charge?

Seriously. This pisses me off...cause I really like the car.

What will he look for? What can I look for?

OHHH...also...I can't post more than 5 messages in a 24hr period???????

This is the last one I'm allowed I guess....*sheesh*

 

My first suggestions would be.
How bad is it burning the oil?
If you can live with it, I would.

Swapping the engine isn't as bad as brain surgery.
The whole word motor seems to scare people away.

 

I would just swap it for a different motor. Its pretty cheap maybe 200-600 for one in good condition and you will learn a TON about your honda. Just a thought. As for the smoke, if its white, then it sounds like your coolant. Check your coolant levels to make sure. If it is, then its your head gasket.

 

oh and honestly... its not that hard to do a motor swap. All you need is an engine lift, or you could use a jack and drop it from the bottom. Heres a DIY for a b-series, but same concept.

http://www.c-speedracing.com/h...p.php

 

White smoke is coolant, black smoke is too much gasoline ("running rich"), blue smoke is burning oil

I say it's a Head Gasket. Check the oil. If it looks like baby poop, you've got some engine work ahead of you. Replacing the motor is cake in these Civics. The whole thing is like Legos.

 

ya..... if your car is smoking at high rpms and that bothers you, have you considered not taking it to high rpm's???

i mean, i know it's a honda and has no torque so ya gotta rev it to get er to scoot, but you don't HAVE to go past 5k. baby the thing and you'll be fine for a while. if you it still has a noticable loss of oil after a week or so, do a compression test then a leak down test and you'll know where the problem is

 

Have to agree with some of the others... sounds like you have a head gasket issue... which is probably adding to your oil burning problem... the introduction of water/coolant to oil will promote quicker breakdown... but what you need to do is go out and get a Haynes manual for your vehicle and keep asking questions around the forums and get yourself a new motor and just do it HondaGirl76... Its really not that tough and I have faith that you can pull it off... and like Mugen112 stated you will learn a lot about your car and that will provide you a lot of satisfaction knowing if something ever goes wrong you'll have the skills to fix it yourself... You'll be even more satisfied when all your friends start ask you for advice on fixin their rides


Modified by beanbandit at 10:36 AM 6/3/2006

 

Don't scare her like that lol. Sounds like she doesn't know that much about cars but here we go.

White smoke - Rings or bad Head Gasket that = coolant leaking into Combustion Chambers
Blue Smoke - Burning Oil
Black Smoke - Running too Rich
Pink Smoke - The car is having its monthly period

If I can remember if smoke only comes out when you let off on the gas then that means its the compression rings but anywho if you car can pass emission then drive it till the bitter end.

My 1992 Honda Civic and 1990 CRX smokes a little at high rpms too. Thats pretty normal and does not mean a bad Head Gasket contrary to many people who believe it to the fullest extend. A lot of smoke then yes, its very likely the head gasket has failed.

As for the oil burning, if it burns less than 75% of 1 quart/1 bottle every 3000 miles then you should be okay (in between the 2 marks on the dipstick, if it burns more then you might want to take it to a shop to get it looked at and not rely solely on Honda-Tech Forum Members because some of here don't have significant knowledge or actually seeing your car to diagnose the actual problems.

Addressing the motor swap, you can swap in another EX Civic motor (d16y8) for less than $1700, and thats from a super reputable shop. I know that if you look around you can get it done for A LOT less and you also have the option of swapping in more powerful high performance motors but you don't exactly have to resort to that until your motor is surely on its way out.

 

Come now Toyo, where's the fun in takin' it to the shop!!! And yes, not all info you get in the forums should be taken to heart, but it is still a valuable asset for someone who is learnin'... And the only way to really learn is to do!!! HondaGirl mentioned she had a lil' time under the hood workin' with her pa, so she probably has some help if she needs it... Good father/daughter bonding time... And besides nothings quite as sexy as a girl who knows her way around the garage!!!

 

Also you never know,she could be obsessive compulsive like me and wants her car to be running near perfect and not just settle and run as it is... Those little problems just kinda gnaw at the back of your brain... chomp!!! chomp!!! chomp!!! like an angry rabid chipmunk and he just keeps... Ohh... oops... lost my mind for just a minute there... maybe its just me that has this problem

 

Okay guys....this is it. This weekend I am gonna get down and dirty with the Civic.

I do have a haynes manual...and I am happy for that because I do quite well with good instruction. Definite plus. However, if I run into anything strange/weird I will def get right on here and ask for advice...

And by the way. Yes, it would be nice if I had my dad to help me cause he was a GREAT mechanic. However, (and this is NOT a pity party), but he passed away in February....BUT...as an ode to him, I've decided to start doing my own work as he had always told me to do. So, with that being said....I hope I make him proud. (Although he wouldn't be so happy about a foreign car as he was 100% pure domestic).

But also, guys...thanks for not being smart with me and making me feel stupid....I actually need all the confidence I can get regarding this...Thanks again. Much appreciated.

Now...let's go see about my ricer....LMAO

 

OHHH...and Beanbanditt....yes...I want it running PERFECT. Top of the game. Want to eventually do some modding...SOME modding...but need to take care of priorities first....my take on it.

I'm a Virgo...perfectionist to the max....LMAO Not always a bad thing....

Also...How long am I on this "probation"?!?!?!? I can only post 5 messages a day?!?!?! I am some type of criminal!??! LMAO C'mon...what if I have a prob and can't even relay it??!?! *sheesh*

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaGirl76 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1. Seems not to be utilizing all the power. I replaced maintenance components like the distributor cap, plugs, wires, etc. I guess I need to do the fuel filter as well. But is there anything that could be majorly wrong with it?

2. There is a bit of white smoke when at higher rpms.

3. Does not leak a drop of oil, however, seems to burn it. This is a HUGE concern.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
1) It doesn't have much power to utilize in the first place. I'm not sure what you mean by that, if it runs smoothly and does not hesitate or bog then you are using most of the 100whp of power. I can see a Civic feeling a bit sluggish compared to a late model domestic.

2) If it is white, you might have a bit of coolant passing the headgasket under heavy load. $25, a couple hours, and a Helms manual is all it takes to replace it though. That, and you get to inspect everything along the way.

3) Are you sure that white smoke in the higher RPMs isn't light blue? Like stated, rings/valveseals, rings are a pain in the *** but valveseals aren't toooo bad. In all honesty, most cars with 140K on their engine smoke a tiny bit and burn a bit of oil. If you're not going through a quart a week, then you really should be fine. Just keep an eye on the level.

4) Get that timing belt done first! If your timing belt breaks, you'll be replacing a lot more than a headgasket and piston rings.

 

I had a feelin' from your original post that you were probably a perfectionist like me... Its good to see you have the courage to take this on yourself... Any advice or encouragement I can give ya' feel free to ask... I've bought my 99' EX new and have done all the maintanence since new (that includes an engine replacement, threw a rod in the first, a product of my drivin' style ) plus as you saw from my posts I'm good for moral support!!! Good Luck!!! You can do it!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HondaGirl76 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">OHHH...and Beanbanditt....yes...I want it running PERFECT. Top of the game. Want to eventually do some modding...SOME modding...but need to take care of priorities first....my take on it.

I'm a Virgo...perfectionist to the max....LMAO Not always a bad thing....

Also...How long am I on this "probation"?!?!?!? I can only post 5 messages a day?!?!?! I am some type of criminal!??! LMAO C'mon...what if I have a prob and can't even relay it??!?! *sheesh*</TD></TR></TABLE>
It's a week long, intended to make you read more than post.

I'm a perfectionist just like you, but your car could be running perfect and still smoke a bit, it's just wear and tear. If you want a perfect engine, go back to 1996 and buy one new off the lot.

 

you def. need to replace the timing belt. previous owner should have had that done in between 90k miles to 100k miles. easy way to check that is turn the ac on and hit the gas, if you hear any bit of a squeek, replace it. white smoke is a crack somewhere in the gaskets, could be a simple water leak. thats about all i know of your problems. hope this helped.