I put in a new head and gasket last month and now the motor is leaking oil and antifreeze, but still runs fine and has OK compression. I re-used the old dowel pins and didn't shorten them, which I think is the problem.

So, I am putting in a new head gasket this weekend, and I am in the process of spraying copper coats on both sides (right?) of the new gasket. I am also going to use new head bolts this time.

However- the old civic (d15b2 dx 5spd) seems to be BURNING oil, more than it did before. I am thinking this may be a symptom of my newly restored valve function (the old ones were shot- one even had a big hole). Could my current leaky head gasket somehow cause it to burn oil? I don't see how.

I also spilled a gallon and a half of fresh dairy milk in the trunk the other night, which of course leaked out onto the road along with my oil and antifreeze. Sheesh.

 

Burning oil, hmm only one known problem. Your valve guides are worn and oil been supplied to the cylinder head is seeping throught the guides and burning oil. I bet if you remove head you will fit carbon build up and your valves totally wet and oily and burnt.

 

^ "Burning oil, hmm only one known problem."

it could be a number of things...

piston rings
broken ring lands
valve stem seals
head gasket
cracked head
warped head

you just can't go by some yokel on the forums, take it to a legit and honest mechanic

i have some openings next week...

 

Well the head was a rebuild I put on last month, so the valves and guides etc are what they are and they work ok so if they leak they will just have to leak.

My budget for this is kind of running out of steam.

I am hoping the new head gasket I am putting on in a couple of days will solve the leak and who knows, maybe the oil burn.

A little smoke from a quiet coolrunning engine doesn't bother me, but leaking a quart every 200 miles bothers me a lot. Hell, I can't park anywhere without leaving a big puddle. If I can't solve this leak, I am going to have to find another car I think.

-Joe