Burning oil question. - AcuraLegend.Org - The Acura Legend Forum for All Generations of the Honda / Acura Legend; 1986 to Present

TJcars2 · 08-20-2010, 09:59 PM

How would I tell the difference between bad valve stem seals and bad oil rings on the pistons? Would it smoke differently for one or the other? Would I be able to use a compression test to check the oil rings?

Thanks guys. I wanna try and keep this thing running for as long as mechanically possible

l4zy415 · 08-20-2010, 10:03 PM

I was going through the same thing when I swapped heads that has new valve seals. It still smoked like it did before. I run a compression test. You'll find out with cylinder is bad.

ochn77 · 08-20-2010, 10:23 PM

and ya can do a leak down test. you put a little oil in the plug hole and if the compression goes up, it's the rings.

paulo57509 · 08-20-2010, 11:21 PM

I always thought that if it was rings, it would smoke when you'd get on it. If it was valve stem seals, it would smoke while decelerating or on start up.

This is of course the engine was so worn out that it would smoke.

byalegend · 08-20-2010, 11:30 PM

Bad valve seals will typically cause a puff (or cloud) of blue smoke after idling for a period. Sometimes, this puff shows up at startup. Cars with bad piston rings will usually blow blue exhaust while accelerating.

08-20-2010, 09:59 PM	#1
TJcars2 The Mad Scientist Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Philly Posts: 981 Real Name: Taylor	Burning oil question. How would I tell the difference between bad valve stem seals and bad oil rings on the pistons? Would it smoke differently for one or the other? Would I be able to use a compression test to check the oil rings? Thanks guys. I wanna try and keep this thing running for as long as mechanically possible __________________ No one's ever gotten noticed from catching the small fish.

08-20-2010, 10:03 PM	#2
l4zy415 FRISCO LEGEND BABY!! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 10,178 '88 ACURA Legend Sedan Base Model Real Name: James	I was going through the same thing when I swapped heads that has new valve seals. It still smoked like it did before. I run a compression test. You'll find out with cylinder is bad. __________________ My Build Thread Oh my gawd That jar better blow me twice and cook breakfast for $1000.

08-20-2010, 11:21 PM	#4
paulo57509 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: CA Posts: 807	I always thought that if it was rings, it would smoke when you'd get on it. If it was valve stem seals, it would smoke while decelerating or on start up. This is of course the engine was so worn out that it would smoke. __________________ '87 L-Coupe 5-Speed Stock; Few Mods 445K Miles - original engine and drivetrain.

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08-20-2010, 10:23 PM	#3
ochn77 ihate city officials Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,791 '88 ACURA Legend	and ya can do a leak down test. you put a little oil in the plug hole and if the compression goes up, it's the rings.

08-20-2010, 11:30 PM	#5
byalegend Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: WA Posts: 1,632 '99 ACURA 3.5 RL '82 GMC 2500 '97 HONDA CR-V '92 ACURA Legend Sedan LS	Bad valve seals will typically cause a puff (or cloud) of blue smoke after idling for a period. Sometimes, this puff shows up at startup. Cars with bad piston rings will usually blow blue exhaust while accelerating.

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