Civic burning oil

Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
Where are you smelling the burning? Don't rule out that you could have a leak. Remember that it could be a leak that is dripping on to something hot such as the exhaust. It could be a filter, oil pan, seal, valve cover, etc. Take a close look under the hood.
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GLTTR7
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  • 2 POSTS
Thanks Bruce! Will do. It started so suddenly that I assumed the worst! Thanks!
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KELVINKING
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 184,450 MILES
My honda civic is burning oil like crazy I have to top it up every 2-3 week whats is the problem
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi kelvinking,

With the age and mileage of the engine, worn valve seals should contribute at least 60 % of the oil consumption.

The balance would be due to worn piston rings and external oils seals such as camshaft, flywheel, crankshaft seals and gaskets.
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALDRICH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1994 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 119,000 MILES
My car history: 2yrs ago my timing belt breaks, unfortunately I continue cranked the ignition. So the valves breaks even the valve seat and valve guide. Then I replace them all. After 3months my pulley loose control and it breaks together with the crankshaft. Then I replace new assembly crankshaft without knowing that I have to reset the whole engine block and replace the conrod bearing, unfortunately after 2months the crankshaft breaks in to 2 piece. And it started from the beginning I replace again the valves, valve seat and guide so as the crankshaft and together with the conrod bearing. And after 6months I discover my exhaust turn to be a white smoke comes out and the engine oil burns, I always have to pour oil 1/4 in every 2-4days sometimes a week (depend on my travel) and I discover blow by at the upper, the oil cap. I had this compression test and the 4cylinders both tested 100-110lbs. What shall I do and What will happen in the long run? It seems the my car still run in good condition.
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi Aldrich,

The low compression and high blowby pressure indiacates worn piston rings. The grey smoke indicates worn oil rings and possibly valve stem seals.

To rectify, you would need to rebuild the engine.

You can continue to drive the car unitl it fails due to fatigue.
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALDRICH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for the idea you shared.
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You're welcomed. Glad to be of help.
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALDRICH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Another problem of my civic is the aircon. The thermostat will not trip off and my aircon system cannot sustain the during hot day weather, like during past 12noon. Is it need cleaning only?
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DUKESLOWRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
  • HONDA CIVIC
The car is burning some oil but it has no symptoms (blue exaust) or anything. I was curious:
1. Is there a type of oil that burns more slowly than others?
2. What are the most likely causes of a car burning oil?
Thanks
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Bad valve seals, valve stems/valve guides-leakage thru the rings/ worned cylinder walls or pistons
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CRYSTAL05
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • HONDA CIVIC
Today my car started doing these weird things. It first started sputtering from the muffler and blowing out black smoke. I put a quart of oil in it at 1:30 pm and had to do the same thing again at 9pm. It is a 1992 honda civic with 190,000 miles. Tonight it started back up with the sputtering but also almost overheated on me. My radiater was bubbling like crazy but has no leak or hole. What is my problem and how much do you think it will cost to get it fixed? I was told that oil could be backling up into my cadilienc converter(however you spell it).
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
Pull out a couple of plugs and look at them. If they are oilly on the tips, not the sides but in the area of the electrode you may have a broken oil ring or something that is causing the oil to get into the cylinders. The overheating is most likely related. Is the level of the coolant dropping as well. My observation would be that if there is oilly deposits on the plugs and you could perform a compression check, but I would opt for a new engine.
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DUKESLOWRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
  • HONDA CIVIC
When I open the oil cap or take out the dip stick when the car is hot, there is smoke that comes out. Is this a sign that my oil is burning?
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
A better sign is blue smoke from tailpipe. PCV could be plugged, or the baffle tube if no PCV!
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DUKESLOWRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Are you saying the PCV could be plugged if there is blue smoke coming out?
I do not have any blue smoke coming out. All I have is smoking when I open the oil cap.
So do you still think the PCV could be the issue?
I appreciate your response.
Thanks
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
No If ANY smoke comes from the filler tube the PCV is or could be plugged up. If blue smoke comes from your tailpipe, you have an engine that burns oil.
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DUKESLOWRIDE
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
  • HONDA CIVIC
The car is burning some oil. I was curious, is there a type of oil that burns more slowly than others?
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
Not really but I might suggest going to a bit heavier weight of oil or look at walmart at the additives they have for reducing oil consumption.
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JORDAN KAISER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 152,000 MILES
I'm looking to purchase an early '90s Honda Civic and the issue of burning engine oil always comes up. What exactly is the problem when an engine is burning more oil that usual, is it serious, and why habitually in hondas?
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Monday, August 19th, 2019 AT 7:19 PM (Merged)

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