Civic burning oil

[Krono353]

My mom's civic is a 94 LX. Not sure exactly which engine, probably the stock one never upgraded or changed out. She told me it's burning oil. It isn't leaking anywhere we've seen no puddles or anything but she keeps having to add oil. I assume maybe it needs spark plugs, because she doesn't know when they were last replaced, which I can install myself but what else should be done to maybe stop this? Would an oil additive help out? I've never heard of those actually working but maybe someone else has. Any ideas will help me out.

[tomogchi]

I'd say valve seals???? Either that or maybe blowby.......
I'd guess on the valve seals though.
Bill

[Krono353]

Hmmm how can I test the valve seals and what can I do to fix them?

[fiberglasscivic]

Have you physically checked for a leak? I have a leak around my crank seal and I don't loose oil unless the engine is running. You can tell where a leak is by looking for spots on the block that are wet or damp looking and may be really dirty. You may also notice oil around the inside of the engine bay. If you're actually burning oil, and depending on how much your loosing at a time, then you would notice the smell from the exaust. It isn't pretty. If you have to put oil in every week then you should be able to smell it burning if its the seals or any other internal leak. If not then you probably have a leak on the block somewhere. When was the last time you changed the oil? Have you removed the spark plugs to see how good they were and if so did you notice oil on the plugs.

[hany]

if you see white smoke and lake on the oil that mean its a valves seal

[Volume_Civics]

Could possibly be from damaged/ worn piston rings. Vavle seals first off. How many miles does lx have?

[Krono353]

The Lx has between 90k and 100k miles on it. Had a head gasket replaced last summer. I haven't personally checked the exhaust smell or if the leak is when the car is running. I think I'll check the oil tomorrow and see if it needs any and will look around for oil leaks while it runs. It has an remote starter on it and it usually runs for 5 ot 10 minutes before my mom leaves with it so I would guess that there would be spots even while it ran right there. I'll check the plugs too since she doesn't know when they were last changed. Are the other repairs expensive? Like the piston rings or seals or anything?

[fiberglasscivic]

If you have someone perform the work to replace the seals or piston rings, it can get expensive. If you don't already notice oil from under the car and you can't tell that the exaust smells horrid then those questions are already answered. When you check the oil, look for air bubbles on the dip stick or water mixed in. If you find bubbles clean the dip stick and check again. Let us know if you find it twice.