I just pulled the head on my LS/VTEC setup because the engine was running like crap and it had really low compression (140 on all cylinders), and when I got the head off I noticed there was white stuff on the outside of the sleeves where the water flows through.. Its some weird white stuff and has the consistency of grease. Is this normal? What is it from? Can it lead me to the problem as to why I had low compression?

 

you have oil leaking into the coolant system.

 

blow headgasket or warped head atleast thats been my problem every time i see this

 

bump. I'm going to bring the head to the machine shop and have them check it out.

 

If its powdery white build-up its a calcium build up from the coolant.

 

it's not powdery, it has a consistency like a thick grease.

 

yep coolant oil mix for sure sucks but most likely its nothing bad just a blown headgasket easy fix

 

Well, Just got the head back from the machine shop and they said it was perfect. I'm hoping the block isnt bad..

 

did you look at the gasket to see if maybe its just blown?

 

yeah I looked at it, but im not exactly sure what i'm looking for. I also just got the head back from the machine shop. They did a few pressure tests on it which all came back excellent. However, they said it was warped 1/8000th, so they decked it for me. Hopefully this will fix the problem.

 

i would check the block deck for levelness and the 1/80000th shouldn;t cause such a huge issue. I would buy a straight edge and feeler gauges and check it out yourself. Specs will be in the service manual. Also in terms of the gasket blowing out look for corrosion or breaks in the gasket. Strong coolant can corrode and begin to eat through the gasket. What gasket did you install the first time around?

 

I used a Golden Eagle head gasket that comes with their LS/V kit. I also wasn't using any coolant, only straight water.

 

I've heard people say the GE head gasket doesn't seal properly. I'd just try a standard b18a/b hg and spray some copper sealer on it.

 

i would check the block levelness and get back to us to ensure yourself that it was or wasn't a gasket issue. Also 89ef_turbo has it right about the copper spray next time around.