Just bought a 94 civic lx. 167000. got it for 1750. body a little rough, but serves the purpose. straight 4 cylinder 35-37 mpg. except after 3 weeks of ownership (actually 2 weeks after the oil change) the oil light came on and the stick is bone dry.

filled it up with 3.3 qts and 2 days later, dry again...

smokes, so i am guessing the piston rings are shot and it is probably time to replace the engine (kinda sucks since i just bought it).

IS THERE A SEALANT OR ENGINE RESTORE THAT WOULD SAVE ME FROM REPLACING THE ENGINE??? In fuel economy difference from my truck (which is why I bought it) it would pay for itself in less than a year.... any suggestions?? Maybe Slick 50? Just need it to last 8 months.

Any advice is appreciated.

Brian
Sunbury, OH

 

Have you looked for an oil leak? That's a big oil loss.

 

Yeah that would be lots of smoke to burn that much oil. You'd literally be leaving a smokescreen wherever you go. More likely it leaks out.

Forget the miracle in a can. Your options are either replace the engine or keep adding oil. Use heavy oil like 20W50 it won't burn quite as fast.

 

no leaks... i agree that is a ton of oil to be losing. just wondered if there was something that could help me avoid dumping oil & a new motor into it for the year until i move closer to work.

could it be leaking while driving only and not while parked?

 

Certainly. For example oil filter not on properly, or bad crankshaft seals would not leak while parked. If it were a VTEC engine (which would not be stock for your LX) they can leak heavily from the VTEC solenoid valve, but only while running.

 

replace the pcv valve its a 2$ part at a part store and easy to change out this should help out a little on the oil consumption, also make sure there is no oil leaks anywhere. another good product to buy is the engine restore its sold at any walmart or part stores. but make sure you keep an eye on your oil levels, if it gets to low you will spin a rod bearing or cause worse damage.

 

"Engine Restorer" works!!

Have you done compression check on the engine? If you get low reading on a cylinder, squirt a little engine oil and check it again. If the reading improves, you have leaky cylinder, bad rings?, scored barrel? Something like that.

Smoke is coming out of exhaust pipe, right? It could be from worn valve stem seal. But I would do compression check first, if it was me.