About 6:30AM Saturday morning after I took my gf to work I noticed that the engine started making 2 weird noises (the rocker arms I think they call it or the tapids....I think) and the other the engine is just sorta shuttering. So anyways, I checked for leaks and there was oil coming from the area underneath the distributor which I know is the seal broken if it does that. So aside from that I noticed steam of some sort along with oil coming from the other side of the engine where they made some mods due to engine swap I guess. The guys had it sealed with sealant and it's been fine for about 2 yrs now....sealed that and the distributor but noticed that the rocker arms still made those loud noises as well as the engine. I decided to check my iacv for some reason and then I noticed there was oil sitting under the air filter so I'm like wtf?! I then opened the oil cover on the valve cover and started the car once more, noticed there was instant pressure I guess (steam started coming out). Removed the little rubber hose at the back end of the valve cover that runs to the air filter box. Started the car once more and noticed that steam was coming from there. I'm guessing the oil came through once the car was given gas since only steam was emerging at this point. In neutral the car sounds fine. I had it checked briefly by a neighbor who was passing by and he said pressure seems to be building up in the engine and that the brown coloring that's in / under the valve cover is a result of overheating (which would make sense since I've had overheating issues before), but he also said that my oil is bad. He checked it with the valve cover off and the oil actually turned a light brown bubbly and watery looking texture (duno if this is normal since I've never seen oil work but he said it isn't. The oil seems fine in texture when the car's off though. I had an oil change about 2 1/2 months ago like twice the same month. But anyway, does this sound like a serious problem? Would it be something I can fix myself? I would think draining the oil and adding new oil and filter will solve my problem but I would rather not spend money on guesses at this point. Can someone PLEASE help me. I get most of my work done by means of my car and I'm pretty much screwed work wise until I get this fixed. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

If your oil is foamy, I'm guessing it's because coolant is mixing with it. Typical causes of this are a blown head gasket, warped/cracked head, or warped/cracked block.

Check your PCV valve too. It may be blocked up. Adjust your rockers as well.

Try to get your hands on a Factory Service Manual.

 

www.hondatech.info find the service manual for your car there.

 

if you think its serious, get someone to look at it, a mechanic. dont keep driving it.

 

Yes, the oil looked foamy and a light brown color but once the car was turned off it looked the normal medium color of brown and somewhat thick. I am actually NOT driving the car, took a very hesitant walk to work this morning. I have done just about all I can I would think so I have decided to have a professional take a look rather than second guessing from the manual (i have a haynes book already for my car, helps tons with my problems); just a few problems it suggests which I'd rather not bother with at this point, I figured something may have gotten mixed in though. Thanks for your help guys, I will keep you posted.

 

foaming oil could also be caused by too much oil, and the crank churning the oil. if this is the case, it could be very bad for your oil seals.

 

Thanks TD, that thought also crossed my mind and I wanted to flush the oil but like I said earlier, at this point I'd rather be sure and not spend on me second guessing. This morning I checked briefly before heading to work and it would seem that the pcv valve might be broken or something, though I'm not totally sure so I will try my best to get a picture of it for you guys to confirm. Also, I noticed that there's oil sitting in the throttle body. If the problem is in fact the pcv valve and not a blown head gasket would you guys suggest taking it to a shop for proper engine overhaul?

 

Just got out of the hood from properly inspecting the pcv valve, it seemed there was a small opening (ya know, like when u glue something and it starts to come undone at some point).....so I removed the pcv valve and cleaned it though it wasn't clogged at all.....possibly because there was this small opening it allowed air to get in and give incorrect pressure regulation or something?! Also, in the VERY near future if this is the problem then im going to get new gaskets even as another preventative measure. Any inputs? And now that I think of it TD, it's possibly too much oil like you said because I noticed that the sealant used when you replace the gasket has been burnt away about 98.9% as if there was never any sealant applied.

 

Check the oil level after the car has sat a while then. If the level is high, drain a little.

 

Checked the oil level. Thing is NOW it's actually too low. My uncle checked the car on Sunday and said the oil was fine other than its level and he said something about pistons and pressure building up causing the oil to come up but nothing being wrong with the head gasket. I heard him say something about a PCV valve or something too. He said I should have the engine removed and get a complete overhaul & he would do the work. On the other hand he told my cousin that I should just get another engine so I don't even know if what he said is the actual problem REALLY the problem or he's just talking sh**. The way I'm looking at it though, where I'm from, to get another engine yet AGAIN and to have it overhauled would be pretty much around the same cost after charges to remove and put it back in. My thing is this though. I don't know what kit to get since my engine has been changed before and I don't wanna get the wrong gasket by mistake. Here it costs about $400 for the kit including the pistons + I have to take off the head and get the gasket just for them to match it up n stuff but online it's half the cost. I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction of what to get. I found D15B on the engine though when I bought a 1.5L water pump a few months back it didn't fit; instead a 1.6 did hence my confusion. From my research it's a D15B Vtec Japanese motor originally grey top but I got bored one day and sprayed it black & it's with the regular 1.6L air filter instead of the weird looking one it usually has (guess you'd call it a slight mod but beats me). My cousin said to take out the head gasket and he would take it to the US when he's going to have it matched up because the kit should be way cheaper but @ the same time I'd rather not because he's the same one that had me waiting 2 wks just to find out if his contacts had any in stock. THEN I find out they'd have to order it ANYWAY. I'd prefer to just cut all this out and order it myself but I need to be sure of what to get which I am not.