question on my axles!

I have a 91 Honda civic dx. with a 1.5L engine. the rubber part (boot) of the left axle(sitting in car) is torn! was wondering how long do i have before I should replace this or do I even have to replace it, the axle doesn seem broken but the rubber part is torn!!! also my car seems to burn oil but i have no idea why I replaced the head gasket but seriously doubt its that cause the coolant level seems fine, but if I do a compression test how can I figure out if its the rings or the valves?

thanks in advance

By the time a torn boot is noticed, it's usually too late to save it. Although, a mechanic can regrease it and install new boots if it has happened recently.

As for the burning oil part...To do a compression check, remove all spark plugs and disable the fuel or ignition(usually a fuse can be pulled). After installing the guage, crank the engine and allow five compression strokes for an accurate reading. DO this on each cylinder and write down the readings. Then pour a tablespoon of oil in each cylinder before testing it again. If compression improves, it's a ring problem. If compression number stays the same, you have a valve leaking.

To determine which valve is leaking, install an air hose adapter in the sparkplug hole. Then connect shop air and listen for leaks. If you hear air leaking from the intake, it's an intake valve leaking. If it's from the exhaust, it's an exhaust valve.

thanks alot for the response but if air leaks from the intake doesnt that mean the valve is not seating well in the combustion chamber? I dotn see how that cuases the oil to brun?
thanks again

It can burn valve seals, causing oil to run around the valvestem, and into the cylinder.

always disable fuel and ingnition, not just one. if you dont disable fuel you'll get cylinder wash and could create an incorrect #.

http://www.c-speedracing.com/howto/leakdown/leakdown.php
http://www.c-speedracing.com/howto/comptest/comptest.php

nice!