Rep Power: 258

the car will run for a while then the idle will slowly deteriorate and the engine dies its also smoking from the exhaust manifold idk what it could be i just replaced all the valve seals the exhaust mani and o2 sensors and i also cleaned the TB and IAC valve

 
Rep Power: 299

check your compression.

What color is the smoke black blue or white?

 
Rep Power: 258

white and its coming from the exhaust manifold or from the vacinity

 
Rep Power: 299

you could have a blown headgasket. do a compression check.

 
Rep Power: 258

well i did a compression check and the #1 cyl is at 120 and all cyl after that are lower #2 90 #3 is 80 #4 is 30 but that was before i changed the valve seals and it kind of runs but still having the above problem ^^^ but the compression doesnt bleed off like theres a leak

 
Rep Power: 299

did you check it after the seals where replaced? most compression gauges will hold the highest level of pressure till you release it. A leakdown test would be even better to find it but i still think its the headgasket

 
Rep Power: 258

you know your probably right i dont know how to do a leakdown test tho and yes it is one of those compression testers that hold pressure until it is released

 
Rep Power: 299

are you loosing coolant? check your overflow tank and radiator see if their low

 
Rep Power: 258

no checked coolant in radiator and overflow all good

 
Rep Power: 299

how many miles are on your car and has the head ever been pulled before? You should have comression somewhere in the 130 range and they should all be about the same +/- 5PSI.

 
Rep Power: 258

about 98K and at 88K the engine blew and was swapped with a salvage a2 block and a1 head so i have a block that says d17a2 and a non-vtec head it looked pretty new when i got it and i have a vtec head just needs to be completed assy lube and all

 
Rep Power: 314

what is the difference between a leakdown test and a compression test?

 
Rep Power: 258

a leakdown test measures the pressure loss and a compression test tests the max cylinder pressure that the cylinder can hold so if there is a leak somewhere you get low compression test results with a leakdown you can tell where the leak is by playing with the crank position

 
Rep Power: 314

thanks!^