So I am looking to maybe buy a '95 Odyssey with 150K, and the seller tells me that for about the past year and a half, it has been burning (not leaking) about a quart of oil every 3 tanks of gas; which I would guess means about every 1200 miles.

I am not real experienced with this engine, is this more likely to be rings wearing out, or a valve seal(s) going out?

Seems like these vehicles usually go longer than this before getting this kind of problem, I wonder does it mean someone let the engine get low on oil perhaps?

 

Either abused or not maintained properly. Buy it, drop a H22 in and be done with it

 

That sounds interesting, H22 would be DOHC and probably VTEC right?
I wonder if they would mate right up to the tranny in the Odyssey?
or would the tranny out of the donor Prelude or Accord work in the Odyssey?
And what about an H23?

 

They all bolt up to eachother any 2.2L or 2.3L engine and trans is bolt on, the wiring is whats the prob u got sohc to dohc non vtec to vtec obd1 to obd2 etc...
check out odyclub.com lots of great info

 

150K miles is alot. For engines not maintained, the piston rings might be worn. Does the van blow some black smoke when the engine is revved? If so, it's probably worn rings.

Check into getting a Scangauge. Available online. Not sure if one will work on a '95, but check it out. I think these things are worth their weight in gold. Hooks up to your On Board Computer. Costs about $150.

 

Noshoez,

Thanks for the link. That IS a great website for Odyssey owners!

Cheers

 

OK, correction: the van is a '96, which is nice for having the OBD2.
And no, I have not noticed any significant smoking at all, but I will look closer for that.

It's weird, I topped off the oil, drove about 200 miles, checking the level frequently and saw absolutely no change, then drove about 200 more miles and, boom!, I check it and a quart of oil is gone.
Only thing that sticks out is that the first 200 miles was city driving, and the second 200 miles was freeway ~75mph.

I replaced the speed sensor a few days ago, and I pulled the big tube off that goes from the air cleaner to the intake to get to it (what's that thing called?); when I did this I saw some (not a lot) of oil and grime in the mouth of the intake.

Is it possible that at high RPM's oil is getting sucked through the PVC tube?

I am going to do a compression test soon, so I can see if the rings or valves are a problem.

That scangauge does look cool, there is a perfect spot for it to sit above radio, don't have $150 to spare right now though.