blowing a bit of blue smoke..

[markoJEK1]

As title states, this only occurs when vtec engages all the way through until the gear change, (note: there is no smoke been blown in normal rev range) I know you all will jump onto saying its an oil leak! Yes Im quite aware of that, but what im after is disagnosing where its coming from, Ive checked all fluid levels, compression, sparkies, and the spark plug hole seals, and everything is in good working order, Now what has come to me is that its something more major, blown headgasket, leaking valves or burnt out piston rings, i can also say that when i did check the sparkies cylinder 4 had a small trace of oil on the sparky bottom, and I could not determine where its coming from apart from the obvious. Thanks in advance guys, Im just trying to sort out what it is, and eliminate everything before I come to an conclusion and take some action.

[Bludger]

i would say piston rings on the way out

sounds like it the way you describe your story

oil is getting into the combustion chamber and burning up

[xntrik]

Your car, is about to retire.

[TODA AU]

i can also say that when i did check the sparkies cylinder 4 had a small trace of oil on the sparky bottom

How's your PCV ?
Do you have an aftermarket catch can fitted.

Probable cause is worn guides & or valve stem seals.
Usually intake to cause above indication.
That said, the exhausts could also be gone.
On Vtec, with more valve lift & duration, problem is more apparent.

Rings tend to blow smoke all the time when worn

[markoJEK1]

Thats what I havent checked, the PCV atm, I do not have a aftermarket catch can, with that said, even if the PCV is in good condition, that doesnt eliminate that the valve stems / guides for both intake and exhaust arent worn

[markoJEK1]

quick update, checked the PCV valve, all in working order, bit of oil resedue as per normal, valve is function correctly - 1 way that is, gave it a bit of a clean, reconnected, will see if anything has changed

[TODA AU]

Hmmm, Bummer...

To figure it out, you could take the car for a run up & down the street & hit Vtec to get the smoke to apear.
Return home asap & shut it down.
Once it cools down, remove the exhaust manifold...
Once removed, have a look up the exhaust ports with a bright light and see if there is any oil residue visible on the back of the valve.
It may only be present very close to the guide itself.
Also, the back of the valve head should apear to be a yellowish white colour.
If there is a large build up of stoft carbon, this is usually oil also.
(NB: this is the valve 'm talking about not the port itself)
If no oil is present, check the plugs again for oil residue.
If it is present & no smaoke is apparent during normal driving, it is then likley it is the intake valve guides.
This can be inspected by removing the intake manifold in the same way as exhaust.
Though to be honest, this can be inconclusive with an operational PCV (There may be a smear of oil over the whole port & valve)
The indication of oil residue on the plugs is usually the most reliable indicator.
Hope that helps

[bennjamin]

tried a compression test yet ?

[markoJEK1]

^ thanks Adrian

and Yes I have Ben, for checking purposes, what should the compression of each cylinder come to?

[fatboyz39]

as long all 4 cylinders are within 10% then it should be fine.

Looks like your up for a head service.

[markoJEK1]

With that been said, what would I look into, the valve stems, valve seals, and might as well do new retainers and springs while im at it, thinking might as well get CTR pistons with rings also ?

[TODA AU]

With that been said, what would I look into, the valve stems, valve seals, and might as well do new retainers and springs while im at it, thinking might as well get CTR pistons with rings also ?
For a head overhaul, the unavoidable costs involved are as follows:
* Labour - Remove & replace cylinder head.
* Machining cost - Full head service + possible K-line guides.
* Parts cost - Genuine parts upper engine gasket kit (VRS)

Optional costs are:
Change valves, springs & retainers - add parts cost only
Change cams, cam pulleys, timing belt - add parts cost only
Change guides - parts cost + additional machining costs
Machine cylinder head surface to increase compression - no extra charge
Change pistons, rings & bearings - add parts + labour & machining costs (heading towards full engine overhaul)
etc etc...

[markoJEK1]

^ yep yep, will get it diagnosed soon, will visit few workshops that have delt with hondas and are still dealing with them and see what they say

[TODA AU]

^ yep yep, will get it diagnosed soon, will visit few workshops that have delt with hondas and are still dealing with them and see what they say

:thumbsup: Cool.
Hopefully I'm wrong & it's something else & cheap to fix.

[markoJEK1]

haha I hope so too :P