Honda Car Forum

Hi, I have a 97 Civic with 165k miles that seems to run strong and get
good gas mileage. I do courier type work and have been getting 38 to
40 mpg. I do use a fair amount of oil, about a quart every 700-1000
miles, although I don't notice any smoke. Passed emissions three
months ago.

I haven't done wet/dry compression test yet but will soon.

I guess my question is whether burning oil usually corresponds with
lower performance or gas mileage? Do bad rings or seals just let oil
in and then "seal" under the power stroke/pressure?

Thanks for any ideas... Tim

kratz7435@comcast.net wrote:
> Hi, I have a 97 Civic with 165k miles that seems to run strong and get
> good gas mileage. I do courier type work and have been getting 38 to
> 40 mpg. I do use a fair amount of oil, about a quart every 700-1000
> miles, although I don't notice any smoke. Passed emissions three
> months ago.
>
> I haven't done wet/dry compression test yet but will soon.
>
> I guess my question is whether burning oil usually corresponds with
> lower performance or gas mileage? Do bad rings or seals just let oil
> in and then "seal" under the power stroke/pressure?
>
> Thanks for any ideas... Tim
>
=====================================

Check your PCV. It's probably sucking out your oil (vapor) invisibly and
burning it. Most folks recommend a Honda valve, but they are expensive.

'Curly'

kratz7435@comcast.net wrote in news:1177670790.351970.289140
@r35g2000prh.googlegroups.com:

> Hi, I have a 97 Civic with 165k miles that seems to run strong and get
> good gas mileage. I do courier type work and have been getting 38 to
> 40 mpg. I do use a fair amount of oil, about a quart every 700-1000
> miles, although I don't notice any smoke. Passed emissions three
> months ago.
>
> I haven't done wet/dry compression test yet but will soon.
>
> I guess my question is whether burning oil usually corresponds with
> lower performance or gas mileage? Do bad rings or seals just let oil
> in and then "seal" under the power stroke/pressure?
>



Excellent chance your rings are shot. Rebuild/replacement time.

No smoke because the cat eats it up.

Mileage unaffected because engine burns it as though it were gasoline.

Power has been lost, but it happens so slowly you don't notice.

Emissions unaffected because modern engine oils combust very cleanly, to
protect the cat.


--
Tegger

The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
www.tegger.com/hondafaq/

On Apr 27, 2:41 pm, Tegger <teg...@tegger.c0m> wrote:
> kratz7...@comcast.net wrote in news:1177670790.351970.289140
> @r35g2000prh.googlegroups.com:
>
> > Hi, I have a 97 Civic with 165k miles that seems to run strong and get
> > good gas mileage. I do courier type work and have been getting 38 to
> > 40 mpg. I do use a fair amount of oil, about a quart every 700-1000
> > miles, although I don't notice any smoke. Passed emissions three
> > months ago.
>
> > I haven't done wet/dry compression test yet but will soon.
>
> > I guess my question is whether burning oil usually corresponds with
> > lower performance or gas mileage? Do bad rings or seals just let oil
> > in and then "seal" under the power stroke/pressure?
>
> Excellent chance your rings are shot. Rebuild/replacement time.
>
> No smoke because the cat eats it up.
>
> Mileage unaffected because engine burns it as though it were gasoline.
>
> Power has been lost, but it happens so slowly you don't notice.
>
> Emissions unaffected because modern engine oils combust very cleanly, to
> protect the cat.
>
> --
> Tegger
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQwww.tegger.com/hondafaq/

Thanks for the info, I guess the compression test would tell for
sure?

I plan to put about 500 to 800 miles a week on it for the rest of the
spring, summer, and into the fall. Unless something fails completely,
I will probably run it up to timing belt replacement and then change
out everything.

Is rebuilding or replacing the block and head generally recommended??

kratz7435@comcast.net wrote:
> On Apr 27, 2:41 pm, Tegger <teg...@tegger.c0m> wrote:
>> kratz7...@comcast.net wrote in news:1177670790.351970.289140
>> @r35g2000prh.googlegroups.com:
>>
>>> Hi, I have a 97 Civic with 165k miles that seems to run strong and get
>>> good gas mileage. I do courier type work and have been getting 38 to
>>> 40 mpg. I do use a fair amount of oil, about a quart every 700-1000
>>> miles, although I don't notice any smoke. Passed emissions three
>>> months ago.
>>> I haven't done wet/dry compression test yet but will soon.
>>> I guess my question is whether burning oil usually corresponds with
>>> lower performance or gas mileage? Do bad rings or seals just let oil
>>> in and then "seal" under the power stroke/pressure?
>> Excellent chance your rings are shot. Rebuild/replacement time.
>>
>> No smoke because the cat eats it up.
>>
>> Mileage unaffected because engine burns it as though it were gasoline.
>>
>> Power has been lost, but it happens so slowly you don't notice.
>>
>> Emissions unaffected because modern engine oils combust very cleanly, to
>> protect the cat.
>>
>> --
>> Tegger
>>
>> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQwww.tegger.com/hondafaq/
>
> Thanks for the info, I guess the compression test would tell for
> sure?
>
> I plan to put about 500 to 800 miles a week on it for the rest of the
> spring, summer, and into the fall. Unless something fails completely,
> I will probably run it up to timing belt replacement and then change
> out everything.
>
> Is rebuilding or replacing the block and head generally recommended??
>
rebuilding is simply uneconomic on a readily available commodity motor
like this. buy a used low mileage japanese import engine and replace
the whole assembly. much cheaper and more reliable.

On Apr 27, 8:24 pm, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example.net> wrote:
> kratz7...@comcast.net wrote:
> > On Apr 27, 2:41 pm, Tegger <teg...@tegger.c0m> wrote:
> >> kratz7...@comcast.net wrote in news:1177670790.351970.289140
> >> @r35g2000prh.googlegroups.com:
>
> >>> Hi, I have a 97 Civic with 165k miles that seems to run strong and get
> >>> good gas mileage. I do courier type work and have been getting 38 to
> >>> 40 mpg. I do use a fair amount of oil, about a quart every 700-1000
> >>> miles, although I don't notice any smoke. Passed emissions three
> >>> months ago.
> >>> I haven't done wet/dry compression test yet but will soon.
> >>> I guess my question is whether burning oil usually corresponds with
> >>> lower performance or gas mileage? Do bad rings or seals just let oil
> >>> in and then "seal" under the power stroke/pressure?
> >> Excellent chance your rings are shot. Rebuild/replacement time.
>
> >> No smoke because the cat eats it up.
>
> >> Mileage unaffected because engine burns it as though it were gasoline.
>
> >> Power has been lost, but it happens so slowly you don't notice.
>
> >> Emissions unaffected because modern engine oils combust very cleanly, to
> >> protect the cat.
>
> >> --
> >> Tegger
>
> >> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQwww.tegger.com/hondafaq/
>
> > Thanks for the info, I guess the compression test would tell for
> > sure?
>
> > I plan to put about 500 to 800 miles a week on it for the rest of the
> > spring, summer, and into the fall. Unless something fails completely,
> > I will probably run it up to timing belt replacement and then change
> > out everything.
>
> > Is rebuilding or replacing the block and head generally recommended??
>
> rebuilding is simply uneconomic on a readily available commodity motor
> like this. buy a used low mileage japanese import engine and replace
> the whole assembly. much cheaper and more reliable.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thanks again, where do I shop for a motor? Online, at a junkyard, or
a local engine remanufacturer? I think I called a "engine" place once
and they wanted $3,000 which seems way to much. I generally like to
shop local, online purchases this big always seem to go wrong, I am
near Philly, PA.

kratz7435@comcast.net wrote:
> On Apr 27, 8:24 pm, jim beam <spamvor...@bad.example.net> wrote:
>> kratz7...@comcast.net wrote:
>>> On Apr 27, 2:41 pm, Tegger <teg...@tegger.c0m> wrote:
>>>> kratz7...@comcast.net wrote in news:1177670790.351970.289140
>>>> @r35g2000prh.googlegroups.com:
>>>>> Hi, I have a 97 Civic with 165k miles that seems to run strong and get
>>>>> good gas mileage. I do courier type work and have been getting 38 to
>>>>> 40 mpg. I do use a fair amount of oil, about a quart every 700-1000
>>>>> miles, although I don't notice any smoke. Passed emissions three
>>>>> months ago.
>>>>> I haven't done wet/dry compression test yet but will soon.
>>>>> I guess my question is whether burning oil usually corresponds with
>>>>> lower performance or gas mileage? Do bad rings or seals just let oil
>>>>> in and then "seal" under the power stroke/pressure?
>>>> Excellent chance your rings are shot. Rebuild/replacement time.
>>>> No smoke because the cat eats it up.
>>>> Mileage unaffected because engine burns it as though it were gasoline.
>>>> Power has been lost, but it happens so slowly you don't notice.
>>>> Emissions unaffected because modern engine oils combust very cleanly, to
>>>> protect the cat.
>>>> --
>>>> Tegger
>>>> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQwww.tegger.com/hondafaq/
>>> Thanks for the info, I guess the compression test would tell for
>>> sure?
>>> I plan to put about 500 to 800 miles a week on it for the rest of the
>>> spring, summer, and into the fall. Unless something fails completely,
>>> I will probably run it up to timing belt replacement and then change
>>> out everything.
>>> Is rebuilding or replacing the block and head generally recommended??
>> rebuilding is simply uneconomic on a readily available commodity motor
>> like this. buy a used low mileage japanese import engine and replace
>> the whole assembly. much cheaper and more reliable.- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> Thanks again, where do I shop for a motor? Online, at a junkyard, or
> a local engine remanufacturer? I think I called a "engine" place once
> and they wanted $3,000 which seems way to much. I generally like to
> shop local, online purchases this big always seem to go wrong, I am
> near Philly, PA.
>
search online for "jdm import motor". should be in the $300 to $500
range for your engine. i wouldn't bother with a domestic junkyard motor
- it'll be much higher mileage and made here so maybe subject to the
same quality issue you have.

kratz7435@comcast.net wrote:
> Thanks again, where do I shop for a motor? Online, at a junkyard, or
> a local engine remanufacturer? I think I called a "engine" place once
> and they wanted $3,000 which seems way to much. I generally like to
> shop local, online purchases this big always seem to go wrong, I am
> near Philly, PA.

---------------------------

Did you check the PCV ? ? It's only worth about $20 and might cut your
oil usage by 75%

'Curly'

motsco_ wrote:
> kratz7435@comcast.net wrote:
>> Thanks again, where do I shop for a motor? Online, at a junkyard, or
>> a local engine remanufacturer? I think I called a "engine" place once
>> and they wanted $3,000 which seems way to much. I generally like to
>> shop local, online purchases this big always seem to go wrong, I am
>> near Philly, PA.
>
> ---------------------------
>
> Did you check the PCV ? ? It's only worth about $20 and might cut your
> oil usage by 75%
>
> 'Curly'

agreed - check that first.

jim beam wrote:

> motsco_ wrote:
>
>> kratz7435@comcast.net wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks again, where do I shop for a motor? Online, at a junkyard, or
>>> a local engine remanufacturer? I think I called a "engine" place once
>>> and they wanted $3,000 which seems way to much. I generally like to
>>> shop local, online purchases this big always seem to go wrong, I am
>>> near Philly, PA.
>>
>>
>> ---------------------------
>>
>> Did you check the PCV ? ? It's only worth about $20 and might cut your
>> oil usage by 75%
>>
>> 'Curly'
>
>
> agreed - check that first.


I was thinking along the same lines that it is often a ventilation issue
that causes a gradual increase in oil consumption particularly since
160K is not real high mileage for a Honda. OTOH, if there is a lot of
stop 'n go, an engine will "age" faster.

JT

(Who wishes it was that simple on the $200 Civic turdbox...)