89 hatchback, backfiring, burning oil

[laneet88]

I have an 89 Civic Hatchback that I just recently bought. Recently it started backfiring at high RPM, like nearing the redline in each gear. Wondering if anyone has any idea what might be causing that sort of thing.

Also its been going through a lot of oil. There doesnt appear to be a leak so I'm guessing the oil is being burt off. I'm thinking it might be the piston rings are shot or something.

Thanks for any help

[pokey69]

At high rpm, is this backfiring happening when you are throwing the car in the next gear? if so, the backfiring is just the un-used fuel that the fuel pump was sending to the engine, and when you disengage the clutch the car doesent need as much fuel. and burns it off in the exhaust. burning oil, i have no idea.

[FrodoGT]

If by backfiring you mean you can hear low pops in the exhaust then its fuel, your running rich, welcome to hondas... The oil could be worn rings, how many miles are on the engine? If the backfiring is real, then I would say timing?, back me up on this guys...

[laneet88]

no it doesnt backfire when shifting, only when nearing the redline or in high rpms.

and yes it is low little pops. theyre not very loud at all and you can feel the car stutter a little with each pop.

so you're saying those pops are normal? and its caused because the car is running rich?

[viper-blue]

hey dude!

I may be wrong...but it sounds like you have some major issues with your engine..since the backfiring occurs at the redline, I would say you either have a burnt or bent valve..maybe both..because your also burning oil-chances are you need a new engine..if you had a timing issue the backfiring would occur at a lower rpm, and you would likely have problems with stalling and hard-starting...you should do a compression test to see what kind of shape the valve-train, and piston rings are in...if compression is low..pour some oil into the cylinder through the plug hole: if compression increases...your rings are bad..if it doesn't you definately have valve troubles - a big lesson I've learned: just because the car starts and idles fine doesn't mean the engine is in good shape - hondas will run until their last breath..hope this helps - good luck!

ps...in case I'm wrong try doing an oil change and throw a bottle of engine flush in first...the cylinders may be carbon coated causing a valve to stick...I have never heard of this problem with hondas since they rev high and those high revs keep the engine clean but since you recently got the car...who the heck knows what the previous owner did to it?

[laneet88]

hmm.
the problem seems to be getting worse. feels like its not hitting on all cylinders or something. theres a major loss of power and it starts sputtering off like a machine gun. i took a look at the spark plugs and down in the hole where it sits you can see a lot of burnt oily stuff on the sides whereas the rest of the sides are clean silver colored. also it might just be my mind but i dont think im getting as good gas mileage before.

im getting really worried and to prevent any damage im not gonna drive the car unless neccessary. any help would be greatly appreciated.

[livinincalifornia]

time to swap.

[clawhammer]

How old are your ignition components? If they're old, you should try freshening up those a bit.

[viper-blue]

did you mention whether you had checked the timing belt or not?....if its getting worse you should stop drivin' it and get to the shop...its either your valves, leaking head...or the timing belt has worn..I just changed my belt just in case..they are supposed to be replaced every 100k (70-80,000) unlike most domestic cars, the timing belt tensioner does not adjust itself, you have to adjust it yourself...but since your motor isn't running right that won't help you..unless you can change the belt and retime the crank, and cam...the belt is like $50 canadian...so if you can't afford a mechanics bill you could try...before you get the belt...check your coolant level...if its low you might have a leaking head gasket....if not pull the valve cover off...then the upper timing belt cover, and check to see if the belt is really loose, if it is you might just have to swap out the belt and retime the pulleys and hope your valves weren't bent..if the belt wasn't changed ever it makes sense...tis a notorious problem...I'd try all that if you can't afford a mechanic -would be your cheapest route if that doesn't solve your problem...and it could be electrical like buddy said some have probs with their dizzy's and or modules...

[laneet88]

all is well. runs perfect now, except for being nearly 17 years old

was something with the electrical wiring. never told me exactly what though...

and the best part was it was only 85 dollars to get fixed!

thanks everyone for your opinions and help

[FrodoGT]

Glad to hear ya got it all better now! Sure wish they told you what it is..could be a useful pieco of info. down the road.

[civic_boy91]

it was in the distributer...i think i wanna say its the ignitor...but i donno that shit went bad on my car and every time i would get near like 7k rpm it would lag pop kinda...not really a back fire...and it made my tach go crazy. it got to the point where i would be going down the highway and the car would be going in and out of vtec...lol it also kills gas mileage i had another distributer so i just swaped out the whole thing and it fixed it.