Sudden oil burning

[MosquitoFogger]

I just bought a nice clean '93 Civic DX with 88,000 miles. Before buying it, I took it to a well known Honda specialist to have a pre-sale check done. The results were that it had a slight oil pan gasket leak and it needed plugs. Otherwise, it checked out fine. Took it home and put new plugs in. The old ones looked great (tan powdery residue), just like they should if the car was running good but the gap was burned out a little. Now it's burned 3 quarts of oil in about 400 miles. Any ideas what would make it suddenly burn a lot of oil?

[civickiller]

burned or leaked ?

[MosquitoFogger]

Originally Posted by civickiller

burned or leaked ?

Definitely burning it. Blue smoke on acceleration. No wetness at all underneath.

[superbluecivicsi]

if your losing three quarts of oil to every 400 miles, you should definately have an oil puddle somewhere. if your burning it, there should be alot of smoke coming out of your pipe.

compression test if its coming out the pipe.

[MosquitoFogger]

Originally Posted by superbluecivicsi

if your losing three quarts of oil to every 400 miles, you should definately have an oil puddle somewhere. if your burning it, there should be alot of smoke coming out of your pipe.

compression test if its coming out the pipe.

Just came back from running a compression test. 185 lbs. in all four cylinders with excellent leakdown. Any ideas? Anyone?

[Skyline_BNR34]

Piston rings are probaly fried and need new ones. Take it to some guy and have him rip apart the motor and see whats wrong...

[superbluecivicsi]

Originally Posted by MosquitoFogger

Just came back from running a compression test. 185 lbs. in all four cylinders with excellent leakdown. Any ideas? Anyone?

if your losing 3 quarts to every 400 miles, that oil is going somewhere. it cant magically disappear. your burning it, or, your leaking it.

3 quarts is alot of oil. 185 across the board is good. im assuming your cylinder leakdowns are less than 10% hence the excellent and assuming the compression and leakdown was properly done. no inconsistencies with the leakdown?

losing three quarts of oil with a good compression, leakdown, and no puddles or signs of oil leakage = makes no sense.

[MosquitoFogger]

Originally Posted by superbluecivicsi

if your losing 3 quarts to every 400 miles, that oil is going somewhere. it cant magically disappear. your burning it, or, your leaking it.

You may have missed my earlier post where I stated it's definitely burning it. It's blowing blue smoke and has oil film on the back of the car around the tailpipe.

Originally Posted by superbluecivicsi

3 quarts is alot of oil. 185 across the board is good. im assuming your cylinder leakdowns are less than 10% hence the excellent and assuming the compression and leakdown was properly done. no inconsistencies with the leakdown?

Leakdowns were consistent 4-5% and done by a Honda specialist. I have an extensive engine building and racing background but this is the first Honda I've owned. Like yourself, I DO (unlike some people posting here) know what the results of a compression test mean. I pulled the air inlet hose and found that the breather tube from the valve cover has been spraying oil into the intake, so I'm going to investigate crankcase ventilation

Originally Posted by superbluecivicsi

losing three quarts of oil with a good compression, leakdown, and no puddles or signs of oil leakage = makes no sense.

Tell me about it. That's why I'm posting. I'm hoping someone knows of a likely cause. And I appreciate your input.

[civickiller]

valve stem seals ?