so ive been having disappearing oil the last couple weeks, i thought it just started burning it.. was pissed. kept having to add oil because it kept getting low on the stick.

drove for 2 weeks, 500 miles or so.
went to change my oil, drained it all out, looked fine, black as night, changed the filter also, lowered the car, put new mobile1 5w-40 in

then i went to check the coolant, i do this every month or so, and i was shocked when i opened the reservoir...

black oil sludge.. horrible. same thing under the radiator cap..

but there is no coolant in the oil. looks good.

so i did a compression test.. its 190,190,180,190.

pretty damn good for 250k miles!!

engine is a d16z6. its a 93 civic si.

here are pics

 

Do a coolant flush(remember to bleed) and clean the rad cap+res and see if it starts again. First instinct i would say bad HG ?

 

i did one after i bought the car. the coolant was perfectly green, i got the car a few months ago, but only started driving it 2 weeks ago because i was fixing things on it.

im thinking head gasket too but wasnt sure, because i would think the coolant would get into the oil also?

 

Have you done a leakdown test ? are there any other signs the HG is blown ? no coolant in the oil right. Try googling you'r problem I found several posts on here with the same issue as you.

 

No. It's easily possible for it to go one way and not the other.

 

what all would i need to do for a leakdown test?

i did a compression test and it was very good on all cylinders. as stated in the OP.

and yes, there is only oil in the cooling system. a **** load of it.
but no coolant mixing with the oil in the crankcase/oilpan.

tried google, didnt give too much info because my problem isnt really typical of a head gasket

 

it is? well i didnt know that. usually its both. so i guess im probably screwed and have to take the head off and replace the gasket. correct?

very odd because the car runs great.

 

You'd need a leakdown test kit(80.00 or so IIRC) look in the FAQ's you'll find a DIY/write up on how.

 

checked the FAQ's and found it. but i dont have an extra $80 to spend. i can either buy a head gasket and head studs, or a leak down tester.

but im pretty sure its the head gasket.

 

You don't need new head studs. old ones should be just fine

 

you sure? this engine has never been tore into before. i always see people say on here that you also need to replace the studs. could be wrong tho.

 

That's all the more reason to keep the ones you have. Now if you were "building" you'r engine then i could see that, but not if you'r just taking off the head to replace the HG. save some $

 

yeah true. but i will be building this engine in june. so 3 months away.

if i have the cash ill pick up some arp head studs along with the gasket too.

if not, il just use the old ones to get me by til june i think.

 

Might as well, don't know if a swap is in you'r budget range. But consider it before you sink money into a d-series

 

well, i cant find any decent swaps where i live. not many honda guys here.

but the goal is to build the d-series for boost. strong bottom end and head studs.