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I did a compression test after getting coolant up to 192* and fan kicked on. Let each cylinder pump 5 times:
1 150
3 155
5 155
7 155
2 155
4 155
6 152
8 155
Nothing wrong there. Tight distribution too.
Originally Posted by smitty2919
Plan is to get 1 to TDC, mark the damper against timing cover......
....this ain't no small block chevy man If you are going to put a mark for the first time, I find it easiest to just bite the bullet and pull the valve cover so I can watch the rockers. I have also used my compression tester gage so I know when the compression stroke starts, then finish with a piston stop indicator.
....this ain't no small block chevy man If you are going to put a mark for the first time, I find it easiest to just bite the bullet and pull the valve cover so I can watch the rockers. I have also used my compression tester gage so I know when the compression stroke starts, then finish with a piston stop indicator.
Originally Posted by lucky131969
Great for looking for damage, not so much for determining when the piston stops. A piston stop indicator is as simple as it gets.
I already have the PS VC off, might as well pull the DS too. I don't know how important it is to have the piston at real TDC, but I assume the piston at any point of the compression stroke (valves closed) would suffice to seal the cylinder to check it.
The camera is to visually see the piston on compression stroke and also back up visually with seeing rockers/springs all the way up.
Marking the damper method was a simple visual to rotate 90*, to follow firing order. If I take both VC off and watch rockers AND use camera to see piston toward the top I think that should get me close enough. Obviously I'd try to get the pistons at the same height for consistency.
Compression test indicates piston rings are good. I don't know of a way to test for oil control rings. It may be valve seals. Cheap and easy to throw a set of valve seals on. Good luck!
I already have the PS VC off, might as well pull the DS too. I don't know how important it is to have the piston at real TDC, but I assume the piston at any point of the compression stroke (valves closed) would suffice to seal the cylinder to check it.
The camera is to visually see the piston on compression stroke and also back up visually with seeing rockers/springs all the way up.
Marking the damper method was a simple visual to rotate 90*, to follow firing order. If I take both VC off and watch rockers AND use camera to see piston toward the top I think that should get me close enough. Obviously I'd try to get the pistons at the same height for consistency.
Compression test indicates piston rings are good. I don't know of a way to test for oil control rings. It may be valve seals. Cheap and easy to throw a set of valve seals on. Good luck!
I figured there is some overlap (no pun intended) between the compression test and leak down. We shall see how this pans out.
I've made enough assumptions/theories/situations in my head I'm just going to test and see what comes out of it.
I figured there is some overlap (no pun intended) between the compression test and leak down. We shall see how this pans out.
I believe compression leak down test will also only test the piston rings, not the oil control rings. Only way to check those is disassembly to my knowledge.
You could try the "coast down" test with someone following you. Cruise in 2nd at 6k RPM then throttle off, coast down. This puts it under a lot of vacuum at high rpm and should suck in a lot of oil through worn rings. See what if any smoke appears.
I've never seen this where that much oil consumption doesn't leave any kind of blue smoke or a lake under the car. Forget about the exhaust tips. That kind of oil leak, those tips will be dripping with oil. feel the tips of exhaust that will tell you if its oil. And by now you would think the oxygen sensors would be shot. Just thinking out loud. Will be interesting what it is. Hope you get it, and it's an easy fix so the engine doesn't have to come out. GL
I've never seen this where that much oil consumption doesn't leave any kind of blue smoke or a lake under the car. Forget about the exhaust tips. That kind of oil leak, those tips will be dripping with oil. feel the tips of exhaust that will tell you if its oil. And by now you would think the oxygen sensors would be shot. Just thinking out loud. Will be interesting what it is. Hope you get it, and it's an easy fix so the engine doesn't have to come out. GL
Yup I agree. You would also think the plugs would be toast also and or BLACK.
I'll finish leak down while the car is apart. See what the results say and go from there. Keep driving and see when my "low oil" comes back again.
I have a 2000 frc 145000 miles, if I keep the rpm under 4000 used very little oil. 1 to 2 quart per oil change.
How often do you change your oil?? Im just asking because some people around here change their oil every 2k to 3k if that's the case with you, to me thats on the higher end, you get the drift.
I was able to get a leak down test done. Every cylinder looked like this. Nice and healthy.
I also picked up a cheap camera from Amazon to not only look at the pistons but to see where they were to confirm TDC-ish. I had both VC's off and with the camera I could see the piston toward the top and valved closed. Once I did that to Cyl 1 I put a zip tie on the steering rack as a pointer against the damper and marked the damper. Then I marked the damper every 90* to follow the firing order. I was able to rotate the motor while in 4th gear and my wife helping rotate the rear tires.
Most cylinders looked like this...I'd say that's enough carbon/oil.
However, the intake seemed like "normal" mount of film with no noticeable oil puddling. So IMO that means PCV is OK.
I think the final conclusion is valve seals. Tomorrow I'm getting new seals (and springs just because) on order and replaced.
Last edited by smitty2919; Oct 6, 2024 at 04:37 PM.
Oil control rings? I say that since a few older 4cyl Honda's I used to own did nothing but consume oil. The rear bumper looked the same. Compression test used to show 220-240psi in each cylinder. Like others mentioned, leak-down and compression tests did not identify those lower rings sealing issue.
Oil control rings? I say that since a few older 4cyl Honda's I used to own did nothing but consume oil. The rear bumper looked the same. Compression test used to show 220-240psi in each cylinder. Like others mentioned, leak-down and compression tests did not identify those lower rings sealing issue.
Fair but a leak down and compression test are the only ways to check without tearing the motor apart.
Seals and springs are relatively cheap and easy to replace.
IF it continues to leak and new seals still prove OK…THEN I suppose it’s rings.
Its impossible the rings are bad without seeing smoke from exhaust.
I do have cats and thought maybe those masked some smoke, but then I think of those beaters you see driving down the road just puffing away and smelling burning oil which you know have a factory system and you can still see smoke lol.
Also recently noticed the gas tank bulkhead fitting I added has been leaking which explained the gas smell in the garage overnight. So tossing a match at it sounds entertaining...
If you are going to put a mark for the first time, I find it easiest to just bite the bullet and pull the valve cover so I can watch the rockers. I have also used my compression tester gage so I know when the compression stroke starts, then finish with a piston stop indicator. 
