I have a 98 civic ex coupe with a b20b and p75 obd1 ecu. I just got my car out of the shop after the intake cam gear slipped. It seems to drive good but occasionally the CEL will come on, showing codes 1, 41, and 43. It only comes on sometimes and when it does its not immediately, only after I drove for about 10 minutes. I thought it may be coming on after a complete cold start but it doesn't seem to be consistent. It does seem to be burning a bit of oil as well. I get whitish/ blue smoke when I start it up and after I idle for a bit, but its hard to see if I'm smoking while I drive. After driving it for a month I was 2 quarts low. The shop changed my oil but I dunno what kind of oil they used or anything. Anyone have any ideas as to the problem?

 

so...

 

ttt

 

so. its your o2 sensor.
check the wiring since your at it.

 

could have bent a valve when the gear slipped...

 

well ive had the head completely repaired so the valves are all ok now. im gonna replace the o2 sensor asap, but my question was more about the smoking and what not.

 

Ok. Well, if you had the head redone then you shouldnt be burning oil right? Unless your rings are shot. Was it burning oil before? Do a compression test. If you have good compression then its prolly a valve. Maybe whoever did your head did a shitty job.

What color is the smoke?

Black = fuel
Blue/grey = oil
White= coolant

 

Well before the head work I did not notice any smoke. Its hard to tell what color it is, sometimes I think it looks bluish and sometimes it looks white. Its definitely not black. I don't think the rings are toast because I was told my the shop that the blocked looked good. Now the shop did send the head out to have it redone by someone else, another local reputable company that only does headwork. Before the car left the shop the compression was at around 250 across the board. I'm replacing the o2 sensor within the next 2 weeks but as soon as I have some time I'll investigate a little bit more. 2 Jobs + school = no time

 

Well a bad o2 sensor wont make you burn oil. It COULD make you run rich (black smoke). Again, a bad valve could be the problem if the rings are good. Take it back to the shop and tell them you think your burning oil now.. Did they mill the head and replace the head gasket? I would think that any shop would do this anyways.

 

don't know if you know but it hasn't been mentioned... The Codes are

CODE 1: Oxygen Sensor "A" (Primary) defective circuit or unplugged / defective sensor

CODE 41: Primary Oxygen Sensor - Heater circuit malfunction

CODE 43: Fuel Supply System defective or malfunctioning fuel supply system

And as far as the smoking part goes... Exactly what was done to the head? Because it could be the valves, valve guide seals, rings etc... If it were me and the work just got done by a shop, i'de probably take it back to them and let them know what's up. If you don't want to do that then i'de do a LEAK DOWN test. Not a compression (well you can do that too)...

Leak down test HOW TO