Hi All - Wondering if you can help with this as i am having issues with my Civic 1500 carb, it is the 16 valve 92 model.

Cant seem to get this right, i have a smoking issue on the car that wont go away.

I have done the following -
1. Replaced all rings, bear rings, oil rings etc to standard settings (size was checked by auto store (Alert Engine parts) When i took the old pistons out there was a little play in the block, but when the new rings were on, the pistons sat perfectly.
2. Replaced all gaskets (PAYN set).
3. Put the head back on (did not recondition at all, just cleaned it up)
4. Serviced the car, new oil, oil filter, plugs, air filter, fuel filter, new cam belt, alternator + air con + power steering belts.
5. once done, had the timing done and is 100%

Problem - the car is smoking very heavy on pull offs. only once the car is at operating temperature though, my mechanic said he also cannot explain it, as the pistons sat perfectly snug and there was no need for oversize rings as it was still standard size.

He also said it may be the Carburettor that needs to be tuned for fuel/air ratios in the case of the fuel burning too rich.

The head was not reconditioned so this could also be the case, but the car is using quite a lot of oil - usually if the cylinder head was the problem, it still wouldnt burn that much oil.

I am stranded and lost for explanations - having spent so much on all the above work already, i would just like some help in ideas to check the problem out for the car before i invest heavily yet again - Any help would be much appreciated?

Andrew.

 

Are you sure that it's the oil burning with the fuel? Antifreeze could also be a reason for a smokey exhaust. Also, it is true that a rich mixture would also develop excessive exhaust smoke. Hope that the gaskets were not damaged when you placed the head.

 

Do a compression test and report back with the numbers.

 

Smoke at pull out? Is this primarily first thing after you start it? If so, check your valve seals. Bad seals let oil down into the cylinder, while the engine is off.

 

That is true, bad intake seals will allow oil past while the engine is running too.

Is this carb setup factory? I'm unaware of any civic in 92 that came carb'd but maybe you're overseas?

 

Some European/Australian models were carbureted. And judging from the terminology and spelling (air con, carburettor) I'd say that's exactly where the OP is.

 

BINGO!!!

 

3. Put the head back on (did not recondition at all, just cleaned it up)

this was your mistake

 

Hi Guys - i appreciate all the help and responses!!! will address each comment below,

@96dx - should have recon'd the head indeed, it was ridiculously dumb of me!

@Civic2fast, @kp, @stoodybayker - it is apparent that the seals must be absolutely worn - although the car does not blow any smoke at all when starting, when cold there is virtually no smoke whatsoever, as soon as it gets hotter, or the car is at operating temp, the car smokes, its somewhat a blueish smoke - Im in South africa, so our eg8's were mostly carb'd...

@jmarshall, the head was put on 100% - did this with my mechanic present, we didnt put in any anti freeze and im sure the color smoke would have been white? Car initially has overheating all the time, but the old gasket that i took off didnt look too bad at all.

I dont know what it costs to service cars your end, here in Cape Town, it is sometimes cheaper to buy a whole new imported engine that to fix stuff. i.e. a new b20b dohc (non-vtec) costs about R3000 / USD 375, to fully recon a cylinder head, cheapest is approx R1200 USD 150. - Carb Recondition R800 / USD 100

Doing the following this week.

1. Compression test, will post results
2. Carb reconditioned to factory spec.

Once i have compression test, will decide on whether or not to lift the head for recon, i think it is most likely the head, maybe hairline cracks or something, no white smoke at all even with coolant in. Did fine oil residue in water bottle which was cleaned out before we put the head back on with new gaskets.... might even just bolt on a b20b instead and just save me all the trouble...

Thanks guys, your info has given me tonnes of clarity on this! Also changed my notifcations to daily as only got them this morn...