Oil Leak into Cylinders

Tiny
RSWAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 HONDA PRELUDE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
I recently tore off the head off this '92 Prelude H23A1 engine type due to a timing belt break which subsequently bent all of the valves. I had a valve job done by a local machine shop and as well I replaced the timing belt, serpentine belts, water pump, gaskets/seals, etc. The car now runs great, except I am getting blue smoke out of the exhaust. I know this is oil and when I remove the spark plugs I can see there is oil residue on the tips (inside of the cylinder) in all four cylinders. I know the oil can leak into the cylinder via bad piston rings, bad valve stem seals, or a bad head gasket. I also know I can perform a leak-down test in order to test the piston rings. Since all four cylinders are leaking, I am leaning towards a bad head gasket (bad from the manufacturer) or bad valve job (all seals are not working properly). Is there a way that I can test the valve stem seals for leaks while the head is still on the engine, or even if there is a way I can test them with the head off but without removing the valve assembly? Thank you.
Tuesday, May 24th, 2011 AT 11:22 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do a compression check both wet and dry tests and leakdown test to get to the bottom of it-sounds like a bad valve job
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Wednesday, May 25th, 2011 AT 6:01 AM
Tiny
RSWAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
I am familiar with doing a compression check, but what is the difference between a wet and dry test?
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Wednesday, May 25th, 2011 AT 8:10 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hmmmm. Wet is when you put a table spoon of 30W oil in it-When it raises its rings if not valves
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Wednesday, May 25th, 2011 AT 8:55 PM

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