Lude Generation

Hi all.

After a long journey (motorways, around 3,5k miles, 4-4,5k revs) I found she start smoking a bit. Also she need a bit more cranking when cold start. Also takes a bit more oil then before. So you would say head gasket.

I bought sealey compression tester. Not perfect but I have tested 3 different engines and it was showing different pressure between engines but every cylinder was close to the other within each engine. So I presume it works.

Second chamber is showing 240psi while others slightly less.
Oil test doesn't change much in readings. Every cylinder was tested to 6 full cycles and all acting exactly the same for me.

Another thing I found was missing nut on exhaust header and all the rest was loose. My old mechanik told me in the past that he have tightened them once. I'm using fujitsubo header. Is this the reason? I have ordered new nuts already and I'm hoping this will help.

Is it time to look into valves seals? Can loosen header nuts make her smoking? The most important why it's taking more oil?

Thanks in advance

Smoking after a long run is not to do with HG or loose header nuts.

Have you cleaned your pcv valve yet?

240psi is good for an h22.
What compression pistons is it running?
You could do a leak down test if you want to check it further compression wise (and to try and understand where it is leaking by, if it is).
If compression is good, then the suspicion would be valve seals. Normally causes smoke on lift off.

ive got engine here with 90k £180

I'd look at valve seals.
With that level of compression, the piston rings should be OK.
Is there any sign of emulsion on the dipstick and/or does the overflow coolant tank smell a bit of exhaust when warm?

Sailor wrote:Is there any sign of emulsion on the dipstick and/or does the overflow coolant tank smell a bit of exhaust when warm?

Nothing like this.

wurlycorner wrote: What compression pistons is it running?

Not sure. I have never opened this engine. And when I was buying her I was told it was stock. But if you remember she made 205bhp on dyno.

wurlycorner wrote: You could do a leak down test.

Can you tell me a bit more about this please.


I think on low and middle range revs everything is good. Smoke is visible when on vtec and under heavier acceleration.

Sounds like what @newkid had on his 4th gen...
hope yours is an easy fix

Valve stem seals, poss PCV blockage... Common faults with 90's TEC

K30DPC wrote:

wurlycorner wrote: You could do a leak down test.

Can you tell me a bit more about this please.

Rather than writing it out myself, here's some links that tell you about it;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leak-down_tester

Eric the car guy did a good video on this;

(He was doing the test for a different reason to you, but test is the same anyway)
Watch from 07:04 onwards.

And an example of the kit needed (not checked if this one would fit a lude);
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/32210605 ... 931&crdt=0

TBH though, from your last comment, it definitely sounds like JEB's suggestions though.

My workshop isn't big enough for this test. I can do simple basics only and have no tool or compressor. I'll have to take her to a garage.

Thanks guys for all suggestions. I'll keep you posted