To start off, I've done a few searches on the subject already and know these 2.3's tend to burn a little oil.

My sister owns a 01 accord with the ULEV F23a4. Shes been going through oil a lot lately so I took a look at it. At first I thought she was leaking oil, possibly the oil pan gasket or rear main seal so I degreased the area and left it running.

After three 20 minute intervals the car was still bone dry underneath. So I took another look and noticed some oil soot on the exhaust tip and it was blowing whiteish smoke with a blueish tint.

Here's her spark plug. All 4 look similar to this one. In my rather limited experience as a DIY mechanic it looks to me like the hot oil is melting the tip.



Does this seem like a piston ring or something? Just looking for some input from some more experienced people around here, thanks!

 

How is the PCV valve?

 

Thanks for the reply pal! Im assuming to check the pcv system I just remove the hosing and check for suction?

I didn't even think of the PCV valve so hopefully you're right! I'll check as soon as I get out of work and keep ya posted

 

I believe the PCV valve just presses into a grommet in the valve cover... the general rule of thumb is to shake it and see if it rattles. Kind of a long shot, but an easy thing to check at least.

 

I own a F23A1. No CEL's, no idle or running issues, and losing 1-2 quarts per week. When the engines over 3000rpm I'm also getting a white cloud with blue tint. I've kinda figured my piston rings are bad, which is very common on the F23, but another thing to check is the valve guides and seats as the valves seem to need adjusting sometimes too.

Hope this helps.

 

Were all four plugs that way or just Cyl # "X"?

 

OP said "all 4 look similar to this one."

To me, oil burning due to bad valve seals or a stuck oil ring would probably not be evenly distributed among all four cylinders. That's why I was thinking PCV.