Ok, so I'm not even sure if this is the right place for this and admins plz move if need be?... But I've got a 95 Accord EX (F22B1 OBD1) that is smoking profusely from the exhaust on cold mornings. Its definitely OIL. And smells extremely rich. Blueish/white smoke just billowing from my exhaust for at least 10-15mins but once it stops its done for the day, except for when I'm really on the throttle (maybe around 4500-5000rpm) then I get some smoke also. im not sure if they're related but the morning smoke is my real concern..? And my question is: how do I know if its piston rings or valve seals? I just had my head gasket replaced Along with my timing belt and water pump! But there was no mention of any visible damage to anything else!? I'm just trying to figure out my best course of action from here? Any help or opinions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

you need to do a compression test to see if something is seriously wrong with the motor

 

what you describe is pretty much early signs of ring failure. with valve seals you wont get a huge amount of smoke. just a lil bit at startup. although either one can be the culprit, if your noticeably smoking while your driving or even sitting still at 4500 rpm, your oil control rings are probably gummed up and not seating against the cylinder wall anymore. that's worst case scenario.

did this problem develop after the head gasket or before? if it was after I would take it back to the shop.

ive had smoking motors and been in the same boat you are. and ive had both problems.. compression test and if that seems good start with the cheapest part first. put some valve seals on there.

 

If it is only happening on startup/cold start and when under heavy loading it is more likely the valve seals are worn. When cold the engine is burning off all the oil that has leaked past the valve seal while it was sitting. Start up the engine, it burns off all this oil, and is then fine. Under heave acceleration the oil level increases in the head and the engine will suck in this oil past the oil valve seal.

If compression is good and it burns oil, usually indicates worn valve seals.
If compression is bad and it burns oil, usually indicates worn rings.

 

Quote: "did this problem develop after the head gasket or before? "

It was before the head gasket. honestly I regret letting those guys TOUCH my car in the 1st place so I won't be going back. But that's besides the point.

Also, Let me just say THANK YOU! ALL OF YOU... For your replies I really appreciate the help. Unfortunately I was impatient and already tackled the job of changing the valve seals, because they were super cheap ($35) and I felt like it was something I could do myself. So 10hrs later (it was my 1st time opening the head on ANY engine), and MUCH more knowledgeable, I got the car started and SO FAR... NO SMOKE! BUT... But it hasn't been too cold since then..? So I'm not 100% sure yet if I fixed then problem or not? I have gotten on the throttle pretty damn hard though to see if she'd smoke then (like it used to) and that has definitely stopped. So I'm praying that was it? Because it's my understanding that piston rings is a MAJOR job? And I really don't think I have the resources to tackle that job myself? Idk? Anyway, gentlemen, thanks for your input and replies. Any and all help, input, opinions, etc.. are truly welcomed and if you've got anymore info on this I am very grateful.

Oh and one more thing... Ever since I let that shop do my head-gasket my car has sounded different? Almost like,idk how to describe it? like a turbo when it spools up? like a whirring or whining sound? idk? anyway that's why I wish I'd done that myself too

 

first off nice update!

quote: "Oh and one more thing... Ever since I let that shop do my head-gasket my car has sounded different? Almost like,idk how to describe it? like a turbo when it spools up? like a whirring or whining sound? idk? anyway that's why I wish I'd done that myself too."

is it like a whistle noise or whining? a whistle noise could more than likely be some sort of vacuum leak, a whining sound could be more like an over-tightened belt somewhere. either timing belt or accessory belt.