Think my headgasket is on the way out, what do you think?

[tom04841]

I am running 20 psi on a s16g. Car started smoking a few days ago...friends behind me say its white.

Went to the track today (1/8th mile), and only made 2 runs with 10.15 being the best. I KNOW it isn't my driving. My reaction times were .515 and .512 and didn't mis any shifts. Car launched like ass, pulled like a geo metro, and worst of all my buddys civic took me.

So i decided to do a boost leak test....none

Checked my compression #1-146, #2-140, #3-165, #4-165. Something is definately screwy there.

Last week when i did a comp test it was 160, 160, 165, 165.

From the white smoke and low # on 2 adjacent cylinders, that leads me to believe that the headgasket is leaking.

ANY AND ALL OPINIONS ARE WELCOME...

 

[diablos991]

That would be my first guess. Did you try a wet compression test? Also, Are you mixing any fluids?

 

[tom04841]

No, didn't do a wet test, and havent checked the fluids for mixing...i'll have to take a peek

 

[diablos991]

Let us know. Also if the coolant smells like gasoline it would signify a HG as well. Does it smoke at any specific time? (I.E. when under boost, idle, startup, deceleration)

 

[midwesteclipse]

Have you checked your coolant for any oil or gasket material. I does sound like it's going out, probably time for a rebuild. Good luck man.

 

[tom04841]

From what i can tell, it only does it at an idle and when i take off from a stop. My friend behing me said the was a puff of white smoke just as i started to accelerate...but not under boost.

 

[diablos991]

Sounds like valve stem seals... But that wouldn't affect your compression. You could always have a leakdown test done to pinpoint the place where you are losing compression.
Do the wet test and let us know what the numbers are.

 

[tom04841]

Wouldn't the smoke be blueish if it were the valve stem seals. Like i said, it is WHITE

I'm a mechanic, but have never done a leakdown test.....i am sure we have one at the shop. What does it consist of?

I'll do a wet test tomorrow at the shop.

 

[playitlouddsm]

http://www.dsmgrrrl.com/FAQs/leakdown.htm Check that out for the leak down test. And yes white usually means coolant is getting burnt off somewhere. Are your coolant levels fine or are you loseing some? Any overheating problems?

 

[diablos991]

What does the smoke smell like?
I have heard rumor that Synthetic oil burns white. I also know that when oil is dumped into your exhaust system it makes a whitish gray smoke. Try putting some oil on your exhaust manifold and it will burn white. I had a ton of white smoke and it ended up being my turbo dumping oil into my exhaust system.
Another way to test for a HG is to have a radiator shop preform a Hydrocarbon test. That will test for exhaust gasses in the coolant. (its just another possible leak area of the HG)

 

[tom04841]

Well....i would say it isn't coolant as my levels are fine. Definately doesn't smell like burning coolant (sweet smell). I know the turbo isn't dumping oil....new s16g...just installed it yesterday.

I will do the wet test tomorrow. If compression raises on 1 and 2, looks like its time for a rebuild.

 

[tom04841]

Still haven't had time to do the wet test.

One thing i forgot to mention: When i did the initial comp test at the track, when i pulled plug #4, there was smoke coming out of the plug hole, but that was the only one that did it.

I guess i am leaning more towards valve stem seals since my compression is still above the service limit. But still doesn't explain the lack of power. I wouldn't imagine 2 cylinders being lower copression causing it to be so doggy.

Maybe it was because of my launch...i have the stutterbox set at 4200.....now that i think about it, that seems a little low for an AWD. I didn't build any boost on the line.

But yet today, my car seemed to come alive. I was at a stop light, it turned green, so i started to ease out the clutch. While doing this i floored it (stutterbox wasn't active since i had started to move)....boost built great and i actually spun all 4 tires and had smoke coming from them.

I dunno....

Is there anyway for SURE to tell if the valve stem seals are leaking?

 

[tom04841]

Well, did the wet comp test today.

Dry
1- 140, 2- 130, 3-160, 2- 160

Wet
1- 175, 2-175, 3-175, 4- 175

I think its safe to assume that cylinders 1 and 2 are on their way out. Its weird though....some days it smokes really bad, and others just a little, but always upon start up.

 

[tom04841]

Well, compression still SUCKS!!!

But on a brighter note, i found the cause of my smoking issues......the damn PCV valve.

Just for the hell of it, i decided to spend the $5 for a new one......and what do you know.....NO SMOKE!!!!

 

[diablos991]

Thats good that you solved your smoking issue. But keep a close eye on that compression. I would start saving up for a rebuild if I were you.