I have a b16 head on a b18a1 block with forged rods and pistons. I just got done with the build and get it started. When its started it idles at 2800 rpms and smoke a little white smoke. but on the ground behind my car is specs of what looks like oil. Now my machine says its the piston rings. iv been told i should let it run and see if it stops but could this harm my motor? or should i rip it back apart and change the piston rings? Thanks for the help!

 

Compression/leak down tests should be done prior to a teardown. No sense fishing for the problem, without having an idea first.

 

Will do. Thanks for the input. If i leave it running could it hurt the motor?

 

Potentially. I have no clue until a leakdown/compression test is done. At least do a compression test first. The compression gauge is cheap at autozone if u don't have one. Here:
1. Warm the car up til the temp needle is at least a 1/4 of the way on the temp gauge. Then shut the car off.
2. Pull the plug wires and injector clips off.
3. Install gauge in number one cylinder (closest to t-belt).
4. Have friend turn the car over 10 times (hold the key to start and listen for the motor to turn over 10 consecutive times). Have him do this with the gas peddle to the floor to open the throttle fully.
5. Record psi results.
6. Repeat process for remaining 3 cylinders.
7. Report back with the psi results for all 4 cylinders.

Well go from there.

 

Going to Start tests now. Thanks sooo much for the step by step instructions. Very helpful. Be back here in about a hour with the results. Thanks again

 

First i would look for a vaccum leak 2800? thats high

 

I was looking for vaccum leaks while i was down there but i couldnt really find anything but ill keep looking. My compression test results as follow

Cylinder 1: Around 115-125
Cylinder 2: 120-130
Cylinder 3: 110-115
Cylinder 4: jumped from 75-120 every other one
and this is psi!

 

What do you mean by jumped every other one? Like went to 120 then just dropped to 75?

Who installed the rings? Were they installed with the lettering on them facing up?
were they clocked?

Was any valve work done? Stock headgasket? Head torques properly? Ft/lbs used and sequence?

Let me know what you mean and well go from there. The first three numbers look OK. not great....but acceptable considering no break in has been done yet.

 

I had my buddy turning it over while i was reading the gague it he would crank it and it would be 75 or so and then it would jump up to 120. then down to 75 and then up to 120.

 

I would say the gauge is bad it should never go down the guage is supposed to read the highest pressure so I could see 150_175 then u crank more and it goes up a little but thats it should never go back down

 

Its possible this might be due to a tight valve clearance. Did you adjust them recently?

 

No i have not. I do not know much about these things. Just started getting into them. I first had a 94 civic lx all stock and it was fun and i started researching and found these were fun motor so i built one. and i mean it starts and drives but it smokes and idles high

 

Did you ever run the head or see it run prior to the build? Do you know how to do a valve adjustment?

 

Yeah. I bought the head from a buddy of mine that has just built it. Has aftermarket springs and retainers. He has a turbo on it for about 2 days and then he totaled the car and i bought it for like 150 bucks. So i got it and then bought the block and put it all together. and no i dont not know how to adjust valves

 

something is wrong with that gauge....get another one