Hey guys, after running a compression test recently and spit balling some other ideas based off of other symptoms I've come to the reasonable conclusion that my valve seals need to be replaced. However, because I haven't physically been in the engine yet I don't know for sure if that's the only problem. Compression numbers were great (around 240 each) but 2 and 3 had significant carbon buildup (saw it using a cylinder camera). I've also heard that just because compression numbers are good doesn't guarantee rings are good. I intend to replace the valve seals soon using one of the methods without removing the head. What I'm wondering is if with that significant carbon buildup and the relative age of the car is it worth it to consider a rebuild in the future? Or should I just fix the valve seals and call it a day? Even assuming that the rings may still be bad would it then be worth it to consider a rebuild?
Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

Well why are you replacing the valve seals then?

Is it burning oil from the valve seals? or are you assuming that from your comp test?

If the engine runs healthy theres no need to rebuild it unless its consuming oil and smoking, carbon is common on the pistons especially if its got some good miles on it.

Well if your mech inclined you can take your time and replace the valve seals if you think there bad with the head on iv replaced my valve train wih the head on so it shouldnt be any much more work than that. Valve seals are cheap and you can do the job in a few hours.

If your issue persist Then look into rebuilding the cylinder head Its always a better idea to remove the head your self and just have a machine shop do a basic rebuild with valve job and instal new seals. Shouldnt be more than a few hundred $

Now if your asking is it worth rebuilding the block while the head is off well why not half the engine is appart already and its always better to rebuild the head and block together if you have the money.

 

If your compression numbers are that high leave it that's real close to new, as for the carbon it's an engine into the 100k+ miles that's fine. That ring theory is a off if the WET comp test proves much higher numbers over a low DRY test then it would be the rings, other wise you're just being told ****. Leave it alone you'll do more harm than good if you go messing with it and end up wasting money, "rebuild" that's the new jdm fan boy buzzword now. People just obsess over this notion a "rebuild" will fix everything even tho there's more threads with issues stemming from so called rebuilds than real issues that would actually warrant one.

 

I'm replacing the valve seals because it is smoking and consuming oil. It smokes at vtech, a little after, and while sitting at a light depending on how much I just "ran" it. Also, recently I came back from a weekend trip and started it up and it blew smoke for a solid minute or two. If I stay out of vtech it tends to not burn too much but will still burn some.
So based on other more mechanically inclined friends advice and the research I've done so far it seems that valve seals are the likely culprit as the compression showed that it was most likely not the rings. I say that I've heard that compression doesn't always guarantee the condition of rings from other friends and through honda tech searching where they said a leak down was much more effective. I don't have the means to perform a leak down. I'm just trying to get an idea if I should consider a rebuild because I'm worried that the problem could be more than just my valve seals. just trying to get an idea of how likely it is that there could be other problems along with my valve seals? or based off the compression numbers is it likely that it won't be an issue.
just trying to get an idea here guys. I know there are no guarantees with this.

 

JDM fan boy?? what makes me seem like a fan boy?

 

I said "people", read and see the generalization in my statement your post has inaccurate info as me and fastgsr pointed out and you heavily jumped to conclusion. Go replace your valve seals your mind is set on it noting we say will change that.

 

9,131 posts since 2012!?!?!?! Damn!!!! You gettin er done!

 

They're from my build threads kid 31k views in 6 months/top feature and I didn't even finish that one, best part is all before I hit age 20. I come back on here from time to time moved on from these old cars as should anyone over 20, if you want to talk **** i'm all game...

 

hey now, Im 24 and still love my teg, its just so cheap to keep running and easy to work on. Im way more in jeeps now but I need something that gets more than 20 mpg aswell.

 

Ohh for sure! I love all cars, but I'll never let go of my DC2 personally!!!!

 

So what was inaccurate about my information?
I get that I didn't provide enough info but what was inaccurate?
I mean that legitimately. Just trying to know for next time

 

Have you done a wet test yet?

 

Nah I haven't. How do you do it?

 

@4:25