1988 Acura Integra All of a suddenstarted to burn oil and w

RALEIGH00

MEMBER
1988 ACURA INTEGRA
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
100,000 MILES

So I checked the compression. Three cylinders had around 165 psi but number 2 had zero.

What are my chances that this could be a broken valve spring or stuck valve or anything that could be seen and fixed without pulling the head?

On my numerous trips to the junkyards, I just happened to notice several Integras with the valve covers off and the DOHC camshafts, etc. Removed. Makes me wonder if this is a common problem with this model and there might be a Technical Bulletin on it. I know the dealer is not going to fix anything on a 22 year old car whether its a common defect or not.

2 Replies

F4I_GUY

MECHANIC
3,302 POSTS

If you have a leakdown test done you can confirm where the leak is coming from in the cylinder.

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Saturday, October 24th, 2009 AT 8:14 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi raleigh00,

There is a simple test that you can do to check if the compression loss is from the vaovles or a bad piston.

Remove the valve cover and check the valve clearances first.
Loosen the # 2 valve tappet adjustment screws till they are not opening when the crankshaft is at TDC for # 4.
Apply reglulated compressed air via the spark plug hole and check if the air is leaking through the manifolds or the engine blowby passages.

For an engine this old, it can be anything from improper valve clearances to a bad piston causing the zero pressure. If it is the rings, usually there would be some minimal pressure and not zero.

There are no known issues that I can find for the engine valve trains.

I would sayt that the most likey problem would be from the valves and head removal is inevitable.