There are a few threads on here about the same topic, but i still have questions and i was hoping someone might be able to help.

I have noticed since i had the car, its a standard EG5 hatch with a D16Z6, had it about 4 months, and its been burning a fair bit of oil, about 0.5L every 2000miles, but since its 60,000mile sevice its been worse, probably up to 1L over the same distance. At the same time I advanced the timing to 18° BTDC as i run on 98.5 RON over here. I only noticed how bad it was when i got it on a RR, wasnt to bad at low RPM but above 5k when it switched to VTEC it was pumping out a lot of smoke, still made 126bhp, but i smoked the place out.

I dont know if it is worse when cold as i dont take it above 5k till its warm. I have noticed the oil (standard 10W-40 semi synth) went dark within 1k of the oil change, but it isnt cloudy, neither is the rad water

Anyone know what it might be?

I am thinking either head gasket, piston rings or valves, is there any way to tell which one it is?

I would have said rings, as it got worse with the advanced timing (increased cylinder pressure?), but the engine is only just past 65k, and had 2 lady owners before me, i thought hondas were meant to be better than that!

I should be borrowing a compression tester this weekend, but people keep going on about leakdown tests, can anyone give a quick instruction of what this involves?

Also can anyone suggest a short term solution, oil type or additive that can stem the flow, or stop me doing further damage to the engine till i find the problem and the cash to sort it.

If anyone can help please let me know, as i am a bit pissed with it at the moment, its cost me a fortune since i bought it, changed cambelt, clutch, wheels and tyres since i bought it, plus 60k service and a few other bits. Bought a honda so i didnt have to keep shelling out to keep it running, and I paid more for a low miler for the same reason, and i want to get it sorted.

cheers

Eddy

 

First check the PCV valve and make sure that it is not stuck open. The PCV valve recirculates blow-by vapors back into the intake manifold. The blow-by vapors also contains oil droplets. The PCV valve is a spring loaded valve which is opened by vacuum pressure. If it is stuck open it can cause excessive oil lose.

 

Rings or valve seals. compression and leak down should tell you what is going on under the valve cover

 

1L every 2000miles isnt excessive, i wish i was only burning that much, i'm going thru 3-4litres evry 5k!!! replace the PCV valve first of all, its unlikely to be piston rings or head gasket more than likely the valve seals are worn, you would possibly find that it will use less if you switch to ordinary oil such as castrol GTX or duckhams hypergrade.

 

I know the oil loss is not that bad, but it still means something is wrong, so I like to find out what it is, specially when it is to do with lubricating an engine that i regularly take over 7000rpm

I will check out the PCV valve first, but i understand that unless its really bad, which i dont think mine is, the compression test is unlikely to show it up, and i cant do a leakdown test as i dont have access to compressed air

If it is rings or valves, is there anything i can do to stem the flow in the short term, so my car doesnt look like an old banger ???

Looks like Honda is about to make some more money out of me


[Modified by CivicESi, 8:45 AM 5/23/2002]

 

Check your oil level regularly and if its low then top it up, that way there is no damage being caused by lack of oil! Its worked for me for the last 20k miles.