Okay some buddies and I just finished up a B20VTEC project and started it for the first time. It seemed as though all was well until I noticed a hissing noise coming from the oil dip stick tube. I had my friend shut the engine down and pulled out the dipstick and saw muddy oil. I checked the coolant in the radiator and there was no oil in the coolant. Im thinking that we may have a bad head gasket but I cant be sure yet. I havent compression tested it yet but Im going to do that tomorrow. The engone is just a basic B20VTEC with a B18C1 head and 8.8:1 pistons. We havent done any real modifications yet but I cant seem to figure out what the problem might be. Can anyone give me some advice in this situation? All help will be much appreciated.

 

Compression test results would give a huge result on the problem you are having. I recommend getting those numbers and keeping us posted.

What did you use for the oil lines?

 

For the oil lines I used Autometer SS hose. I used the same set up I have in my B20VTEC and it works fine for me.

 

How do YOU guys test the compression ratio of your engines??? I have a theory that my dad gave me. Seeing as he's a car mechanic for about 30 years of his life Im sure it will work, but I'd like to hear some of your ideas on this issue as well. Post them or email them directly to me if possible.

 

I was wondering what you might think the hissing from the oil dip stick tube could be? I have it set up to pull the crankcase pressure off do you guys think that the pressure isnt being pulled off? And when it runs it looks like steam is coming from the exhaust which is weird because it was like 70 degrees today.

 

The 'steam' from the exhaust is probably antifreeze if its white. The hissing coming from your dipstick tube is probably the compression squeezing past your blown headgasket and going down your oil passages. If you're blowing white smoke, and your oil looks like diarrhea, your head gasket is most likely blown. You can do a compression test if you want to waste time. I'd pull the head and get it over with.

 

I thought it was the head gasket but with these other symptoms I was afraid it may have been a cracked head. Ive never had the hissing in the oil tube before. Is it possibble to get a bad brand new head gasket? We just got through building the motor 3 days ago and its kinda odd that the head gasket get blown before the car even gets to run good.

 

I suppose it could be the head, or even a sleeve. Either way, the head is gonna have to come off.

 

Thanks for the info man.

 

Heres how to do a good compression check .....
Make sure the car is at normal running temp, shut off, pull ECU fuse to cut fuel to the injectors and spark, take out the spark plugs and giem em just a kiss of oil on the seal then hop in your car and press the gas pedal in all the way (duh), then just let the car crank like 8 times and you're good to go!