Rep Power: 0

I just received the bad call that my rings are bad in my 96 civic. I just purchased the car a few months ago as well. I was told that the seals were the only thing causing the oil usage but the compression test proved that wrong.

So, here is the deal. I cannot afford an engine right now. The guy couldn't tell me how long my engine might last. Is there anything I can add to the engine that could put this off for awhile? I have seen several different things but I wasnt sure if anyone had one they preferred. I know this is not a permanent fix but I would like the car to at least get me by a year. Right now I am using a quart of oil every fill up (app. 250 miles).

Thanks.

John

 
Rep Power: 189

How bad and when does the car blow blue smoke? compression test can be inaccurate if there is excessive carbon buildup on the valves or the rings are stuck due to lack of proper oil changes. I would start with running some seafoam through the intake/vac system that will clean any carbon deposits off the valves and pistons. Next I would throw some in the oil, make sure the car is warmed up fully first prior to adding it and then run it for about 30 km or so then park it and drop the oil asap, its always best to do an oil change right after running it as most of the junk is suspended then anyhow just be careful not to burn yourself. Once thats done add some high mileage oil to it, this will allow it to clean better and its usually a little thicker preventing burn off.

 
Rep Power: 285

There's no permanent or good solution to bad piston rings aside from new ones, but there are people who have had varying results with certain products. The best results I've heard of are wth Alemite CD-2 Oil Burning Formula and seafoaming the engine, switching to a thicker oil like 10w-30 that won't get past the piston rings as easily would also be of help.

I doubt your engine will make it a year though, I'd start looking for a engine swap now. Try to hook up with a local civic club, you might be able to find someone pulling an engine out of their car that would be willing to drop it into your for a few hundred dollars.

 
Rep Power: 313

Nothing short of new rings or a new engine will fix this. On the bright side new engines are pretty cheap nowadays if you find the right seller. Especially if you can install it yourself.

 
Rep Power: 189

I picked up a replacement si engine for my buddies 98 si for 250 bucks lol, dude was swapping in a bseries engine sold me his for $250 with 120,000 kms or 75000 miles. Swapped it into his civic that had over 350,000 kms on it.

 
Rep Power: 313

^Good find, crap like that comes up all the time!

 
Rep Power: 189

yeah for sure you just gotta keep an eye on kijiji lol.

 
Rep Power: 367

Edit - made idiot statement - delete

 
Rep Power: 188

It is possible varnish from dino engine oils are causing the piston rings to stick. It is possible low compression is caused by carbon deposits on the valves and causing leaks. It is possible a lot of the lost oil is due to leaking seals.

Your only hope is to do one or more engine oil flushes and fuel system cleaners with Sea Foam or other additives and see if you get lucky.

Stick your finger down into the oil fill hole. If your feel a lot of built up gunk, be careful about using an engine oil flush. It can loosen up so much sludge and gunk the oil filter will clog up. In that case, you need to change the filter more often. How often is anybody's guess. I have heard of the filter clogging up before you get out of the parking lot, but I have never seen it personally. Make sure the oil filter you use has a bypass valve built in that lets oil pass through if the filter media clogs up. I'm not sure, but I think all oil filters have bypass valves these days. Use the cheapest filter you can find because it will actually filter out less and not clog up as quickly.

 
Rep Power: 189

Actually the main concern with doing a flush on a really bad engine improperly is the oil pickup tube getting sludge buildup in the oil pan all around the oil sump pickup tube and preventing oil from getting picked up at all nevermind the filter lol. I had that happen to a 89 dodge dakota pickup, dude did the flush exactly as per instructions 2 days later no oil pressure and next day needed a new engine because he drove it like that for about 200 kms.

 
Rep Power: 0

Newfiedan : The engine blows smoke at startup. After I run the car for a few minutes on the road it will eventually go away. Initially it is horrible. I can barely see to backup.

Apparently the mechanic didn't run a compression test because he said it could still have good compression and still have bad rings. I still think its the valve seals but this guy is certain it is both.

Thanks for all the replys and I will try you advice. I will keep looking for a good engine eventually.

John

 
Rep Power: 189

If its when you first start it up and then goes away after running a little bit then it is valve stem seals, god they must have some real gems for mechanics down your way. Bad rings would blow blue smoke when given throttle especially heavy throttle.
"Apparently the mechanic didn't run a compression test because he said it could still have good compression and still have bad rings. I still think its the valve seals but this guy is certain it is both"
This guy is an idiot, if the rings are bad then you are going to have crap compression assuming that the valves are seating properly. Get a new mechanic.