Diagnose oil usage

I wonder if I should put this in multiple threads, but it's all related... sorry if it's somewhat long.

Bought 89 Civic LX (not sure of motor designation, it's a 16-valve SOHC, 103K miles) couple of months ago. First noticed it's going through oil (about 1 qt/100 miles), then noticed it's leaking on my driveway. I could see oil dripping below timing cover, so I thought I should replace the seals.

As I tore into things, noticed #1 plug hole was full of oil, figured it was the plug seals, so bought new set along with valve cover gasket. Replaced the crank and cam seal, plug seals, valve cover gasket, pcv valve, and plugs. Oil leak fixed (yea!). When reassembling, I noticed the #1 plug wire didn't click down properly.

Found it was still using just as much oil as before, has blowby, smokes on startup and when shifting, accelerating, probably other times as well. Decided to do compression test, and when I pulled the #1 plug wire, noticed plug well was full of oil again. Knowing I replaced the plug seals, and remembering the plug wire didn't click down, I suspect a warped valve cover. That's problem number 1.

Did a compression test, got 155-ish on a dry test on 2,3,4 (#1 had the oil drip down into the hole when I pulled the plug out, so couldn't do dry test on it). Wet test gave 175-ish. I guess I have a cheap compression tester, 'cause it doesn't hold the reading, I just have to estimate when I watch it.

So, for problem #2, I suspect it needs rings replaced.

Finally, valves are ticking, I haven't tried to adjust the valve lash yet, so I'll try that first.

Just looking for opinions. For #1, if the valve cover is warped, can it be fixed, or does it have to be replaced? For #2, does it sound like rings? I'm thinking of doing the "ghetto rebuild" I saw when searching. For the ticking valves, I'll try the adjustment and ask again later if it isn't fixed.

Thanks for opinions and advice.

I wonder if I should put this in multiple threads, but it's all related... sorry if it's somewhat long.

Bought 89 Civic LX (not sure of motor designation, it's a 16-valve SOHC, 103K miles) couple of months ago. First noticed it's going through oil (about 1 qt/100 miles), then noticed it's leaking on my driveway. I could see oil dripping below timing cover, so I thought I should replace the seals.

As I tore into things, noticed #1 plug hole was full of oil, figured it was the plug seals, so bought new set along with valve cover gasket. Replaced the crank and cam seal, plug seals, valve cover gasket, pcv valve, and plugs. Oil leak fixed (yea!). When reassembling, I noticed the #1 plug wire didn't click down properly.

Found it was still using just as much oil as before, has blowby, smokes on startup and when shifting, accelerating, probably other times as well. Decided to do compression test, and when I pulled the #1 plug wire, noticed plug well was full of oil again. Knowing I replaced the plug seals, and remembering the plug wire didn't click down, I suspect a warped valve cover. That's problem number 1.

Did a compression test, got 155-ish on a dry test on 2,3,4 (#1 had the oil drip down into the hole when I pulled the plug out, so couldn't do dry test on it). Wet test gave 175-ish. I guess I have a cheap compression tester, 'cause it doesn't hold the reading, I just have to estimate when I watch it.

So, for problem #2, I suspect it needs rings replaced.

Finally, valves are ticking, I haven't tried to adjust the valve lash yet, so I'll try that first.

Just looking for opinions. For #1, if the valve cover is warped, can it be fixed, or does it have to be replaced? For #2, does it sound like rings? I'm thinking of doing the "ghetto rebuild" I saw when searching. For the ticking valves, I'll try the adjustment and ask again later if it isn't fixed.

Thanks for opinions and advice.


It's going to cost you about $250 for new rings/bearings/valve seals/headgasket. Then figure in all the other seals you will need to replace. Then more money for plastigage, assy lube, and the proper tools if you don't have them already.
You're looking at close to $400 for a generic rebuild.

Just replace the motor. You can pull any sohc d15 or d16 from any 88-00 civic and it will swap in just fine. You can find them with low mileage for about 200-500.
These motors just aren't worth rebuilding.