I just did a head gasket job on my 95 Civic hatch with a 1.5 sohc 8 valve (d15b8). I had the head resurfaced and got a valve job. I got everything back together today and started it but now it burns oil like there's no tomorrow and blows smoke like crazy from the exhaust! Anyone have an idea what it could be? Anything you can think of please.

Andy

 

First, let me ask why you replaced the head gasket and had the head resurfaced. Your rings could be getting old, causing excess oil burnage. What color is the oil smoke? a brighter blue means its in the chamber burning. You can confirm this by checking the spark plugs for ash deposits. If the head was just assembled and was assembled right, the oil seals in the head should be out of the question, but you never know. A clogged or removed PCV system will increase oil consumption a lot, and many people don't realize this. If your intake manifold came out black with oil varnish, its time to service your PCV system. Monitor the level of consumption, see if it is in fact a severe problem or not.

 

It's not the PCV system, just checked it. I just took the head off again and it looks like it could be a crappy gasket but idk for sure. There was liquid oil making it through the exhaust valves though so it was using alot. It's seems unlikely to me that the rings would go bad that fast. It was using oil before but not nearly that much. It has to do something with the HG job itself. Could me my screw up, could be the shops. I'm gonna try another gasket and see if that works.

 

Headgasket doesn't have anything to do with burning oil..it's either valve seals, rings, or both.

 

If its wet in the exhaust valves it is leaking through the seals and guides. I am willing to bet he used the same valve seals on the intake and exhaust valves. They are different parts intake has a white spring, and exhaust is black. And its not gonna be the headgasket, I simply asked why you think it is, if it is in every exhaust port, then it simply cannot be. Oil only runs in a few spots to the head, and drainbacks that are not under pressure.

And how exactly are you knowing that it is a crappy gasket, or did you just send it off and have no idea what parts they threw in there?

 

I got it fixed. I put in a new head gasket and followed the weird 4 step torquing sequence. I guess these head gaskets are finicky.

 

No they aren't and its a two step sequence as specified by Honda.

 

Did you put the headgasket on backwards or upside down.

 

It's four steps raising the torque value each time. I got the sequence from the Honda Technical computers at the dealership and 3 master technicians told me that you can screw it up by not following the sequence.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hippiesmurf69 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It's four steps raising the torque value each time. I got the sequence from the Honda Technical computers at the dealership and 3 master technicians told me that you can screw it up by not following the sequence. </TD></TR></TABLE>

"master technicians"

AKA: People who work at the Honda dealership.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Syndacate &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

"master technicians"

AKA: People who work at the Honda dealership.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah funny how that works.

I have always used the 2 step process and none of my headgaskets have leaked yet. (knock on wood).

 

Awww, looks like someone doesn't know how to look at the factory service manual. Oh, and I was wrong about your motor, its a ONE STEP TORQUE. The D16Z6 and D15Z1 are two step.

You lose, good day sir!

 

I guess when you pass all your CSE certification tests and all the Honda Certified Tests they call you a master technician. Not to mention working on Hondas for 25 years. It also appears that when you work for Honda, you have more sources for specs on Hondas. Why don't you guys subscribe to a couple more street racer magazines. Maybe you'll learn something about how actual certified technicians work.

I also have your attached copy of the torquing sequence. That one didn't work. The 4 step did. Sorry to sound like a dick, but you kinda did.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hippiesmurf69 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I guess when you pass all your CSE certification tests and all the Honda Certified Tests they call you a master technician. Not to mention working on Hondas for 25 years. It also appears that when you work for Honda, you have more sources for specs on Hondas. Why don't you guys subscribe to a couple more street racer magazines. Maybe you'll learn something about how actual certified technicians work.

I also have your attached copy of the torquing sequence. That one didn't work. The 4 step did. Sorry to sound like a dick, but you kinda did. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Im pretty sure I didnt learn to build motors from a street racing magazine. Most of the time when you go ask honda technicians a question they have no clue what your talking about. Unless it comes right out of their manuals your pretty much screwed.