Bad piston rings - stop leak

[BennyH]

Just wondering, has anyone used these stop leak things you buy at your local supercheap or so? I know it's temporary but how long does it last for, and is it more likely to stuff up your engine in any way ?

Cheers guys.

[ceekay101]

I would try thicker oil. I'm guessing that's all the additive does. If it's still bad second hand engine or rebuild current one appear to be the options. Sure it's rings and not valves? Compression and leak down test to confirm?

[BennyH]

Havent done the compression test yet. But It's always pissing out smoke so quite sure the rings.

[hmetro24]

What I would do is, change oil to thicker oil, change oil to different Brand. Addictive will lower the burning oil but will not stop it. Are you sure it's burning oil, not blown Headgasket.
I would rebuild the engine rather than buying 2nd hand engine, or engine swap if you got the funds.
Do a compression test wet/dry/

[dougie_504]

I agree, rebuild the engine.

Anything else is a bandaid :(

[bennjamin]

Op

Are you sure it's "bad rings" ?
There are several other issues that can exhibit the same symptoms ( excessive oil loss etc)

Get a leak down test done and find out the exact area of the leak / compression loss

Could be worn valve stem seals, bad PCV System etc.
Get these checked first before rebuilding the engine !

[bennjamin]

Just another suggestion - please don't use any stop leak or similar on any modern engines- there are very tight tolerances and oil galleries that can get blocked By additives or dislodged oil sludge etc

[BennyH]

Okay well thanks for replies guys. I guess a compression test first will answer my question. And no stop leak. Thread com be closed.

[dougie_504]

I'll keep it open if you'd like to keep us updated?

Fingers crossed for you.

[jdm18c]

buy a nippon racing rebuild kit off ebay for just over 300 and your laughing full rebuild

[*vtec-screamer]

Just wondering, has anyone used these stop leak things you buy at your local supercheap or so? I know it's temporary but how long does it last for, and is it more likely to stuff up your engine in any way ?

Cheers guys.

try this product, make sure your engine is warm, then add the whole bottle to the engine, after that drive around so it mixes. this will work if you have bad valve stem steals. it'll stop the smoking if that's what you're thinking. good day.
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Calibre-Stop-Leak-Engine-Oil-Treatment-300mL.aspx?pid=142961&menuFrom=60301#Description

[bennjamin]

Okay well thanks for replies guys. I guess a compression test first will answer my question. And no stop leak. Thread com be closed.

A compression test tells you if a cylinder is loosing compression ( ie leak)....not enough evidence to simply suggest "bad rings"

Use a LEAK DOWN test to find out where it is leaking from ! Most mechanics should be able to do this

[Jccck]

I agree, rebuild the engine.

Anything else is a bandaid :(

No point rebuilding the Engine, he doesn't even know if that's the problem.


A compression test tells you if a cylinder is loosing compression ( ie leak)....not enough evidence to simply suggest "bad rings"

Use a LEAK DOWN test to find out where it is leaking from ! Most mechanics should be able to do this

+1!

Cylinder Leakage Test.. Awesome way to determine 100% what is the cause of compression loss.
I don't know about 'most' mechanics though =P

Also, just because she blows some Smoke.. It could be many things, not just the Rings.
Infact something as simple as the PCV valve being blocked can cause pressure in the crank case forcing oil into the combustion chamber.. Which causes no damage and is fixed for as little as $20.

[SLOBRO]

A compression test tells you if a cylinder is loosing compression ( ie leak)....not enough evidence to simply suggest "bad rings"

Use a LEAK DOWN test to find out where it is leaking from ! Most mechanics should be able to do this

noo you can find out if your rings are stuffed with compression test

first there's the normal compression test where you pull out all spark plugs, disconnect the distributor plug, remove the fuel pump fuse and plug in the compression tester while someone is inside with foot down on accelerator and cranking 6 rotations

and to test even further you have to squirt some oil into the cylinder and crank it a couple of rotations then do the compression test again 1 by 1 then compare the numbers from test 1 with test 2(with oil) if its a big jump in numbers then there you go its your piston rings

[bennjamin]

noo you can find out if your rings are stuffed with compression test

first there's the normal compression test where you pull out all spark plugs, disconnect the distributor plug, remove the fuel pump fuse and plug in the compression tester while someone is inside with foot down on accelerator and cranking 6 rotations

and to test even further you have to squirt some oil into the cylinder and crank it a couple of rotations then do the compression test again 1 by 1 then compare the numbers from test 1 with test 2(with oil) if its a big jump in numbers then there you go its your piston rings

Thanks for that

But what if valve stem seals or valves or head gasket are out of spec or worn etc ? Would a compression test give the same "difference" in numbers as per "bad rings" ?

I summarized above that the better way to work out where you are losing compression , is with a leak down test.

[SLOBRO]

stem seals got nothing to do with compression and i don't think the test with oil in the cylinder will make a difference if your head gasket or valves are bad
offcoarse leak down test is better but i reckon with the wet and dry compression test you'd be even more sure that it's your piston rings if theres a big jump in numbers

[ceekay101]

You can lose compression through valves... If you valves aren't sealing during compression stroke the air will merely leak out thus less compression. it's like squeezing a balloon that hasn't been tied up, it won't pop it will just blow all the air out.

[Setanta]

A compression test tells you if a cylinder is loosing compression ( ie leak)....not enough evidence to simply suggest "bad rings"

Use a LEAK DOWN test to find out where it is leaking from ! Most mechanics should be able to do this

This is twice that Ben has put good advice in one thread - I'd be taking this advice to the exclusion of anyone that differs :)

[jase89]

just want to put this out cause you mentioned stop leak lol.

have a watch of this this guy has good knowledge of hondas here and there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76GpMD4LIwY