Tegger gets a UOA -- at 411,000 miles

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

Tegger

Joined
Mar 20, 2006
Messages
2,287
Location
Canada
Blackstone is correct about the loss of coolant: I have to add a few ounces every few months, and there are no external fluid leaks at all. That, combined with a "bathtub ring" of oily residue in the reservoir has me suspecting a slowly-failing head gasket.

91%20INTEGRA-092013.jpg


Contrast that with the analysis I had done by Terry Dyson in 2006, when the engine had only 265,000 miles:

analysis.jpg
 
Throw some stop leak pellets in there and let it eat. "a few ounces every few months" should seal up easy. Bars Leak makes those GM style pellets and they work great. I had an intake manifold leak on my Pontiac that I solved with those pellets 8 years ago. It still doesn't leak. You can get them at NAPA.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: dparm
Honestly, that's still pretty good for 411k. I'm hesitant to even say there's a problem.

Besides the 5.5 qts of makeup oil added and the head gasket leak, you mean?
 
Originally Posted By: NateDN10
Originally Posted By: dparm
Honestly, that's still pretty good for 411k. I'm hesitant to even say there's a problem.

Besides the 5.5 qts of makeup oil added and the head gasket leak, you mean?



Didn't see that about the makeup oil, but the slight coolant leak doesn't seem to be causing a huge problem yet.
 
Let the coolant run in the oil. I wouldn't mess with it. I'm guessing this Honda isn't exactly a show car.

Maybe go to a cheaper oil instead of Mobil 1 though.
 
I agree it looks pretty good despite the head gasket issue.
I had a similar problem in a Renault Medallion (winter beater) I once had years ago. It got slowly progressively worse to the point that I had to scoop out the brown oil/coolant emulsion at the top of the header bottle periodically before topping up with more coolant.
The car always ran great although it became something of a rust bucket. I eventually sold it to a Renault fan.

I don't know what if anything you plan to do about the head gasket problem. Since your Honda has no significant market value,
I wouldn't bother replacing it.
You're also being very kind even running a premium syn' in the car at this stage of it's life cycle.
The cheapest dino is what I'd use.
 
Originally Posted By: bigt61
Throw some stop leak pellets in there and let it eat. "a few ounces every few months" should seal up easy. Bars Leak makes those GM style pellets and they work great. I had an intake manifold leak on my Pontiac that I solved with those pellets 8 years ago. It still doesn't leak. You can get them at NAPA.


I agree, and if you're lucky enough to find a lower pressure radiator cap I'd change to it.
 
Tegger if this is the Car I think it is. It has had a long fruit full life. Steam clean the engine if necessary and replace the gasket then go another 100,000 km

Ken
 
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
I don't know what if anything you plan to do about the head gasket problem.

Nothing. Ain't worth fixing. If I was retired and had a garage, I'd go ahead and have fun replacing the head gasket and keep the beast going for a while longer. But at my time and position in life, I can't do that.

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Since your Honda has no significant market value,

I'm going to use an Internet acronym here: LOL. Normally I hate such acronyms, but in this case I can find no adequate substitute. Diplomacy isn't your strong suit, is it? At least not online...

The car does have no value outside of its utility. I plan on replacing the vehicle in the next few weeks. Wife and I are going shopping on Saturday.

The stupid thing is that the engine runs so WELL: It starts immediately, and idles more smoothly than the wife's (newer) Tercel; and, while not a speed-demon by today's standards, has excellent driveability and accelerates in a smooth and steady manner. If not for the (hidden) rust, I would have absolutely zero intent to replace this car.
 
Originally Posted By: mount
I'm guessing this Honda isn't exactly a show car.

One day it will be a Trailer Queen. And not in a good way.
 
Originally Posted By: caravanmike
does this 411k vehicle have an automatic and is it original?

Manual transmission. It's 100% original except for the clutch. The current clutch is the second one, and was installed at 255,600 miles.

Astoundingly (to me), the transmission does not leak any oil at all. Not even seepage. I've used genuine Honda MTF since the mid-'90s; maybe that has something to do with it.
 
Originally Posted By: Tegger
Originally Posted By: caravanmike
does this 411k vehicle have an automatic and is it original?

Manual transmission. It's 100% original except for the clutch. The current clutch is the second one, and was installed at 255,600 miles.

Astoundingly (to me), the transmission does not leak any oil at all. Not even seepage. I've used genuine Honda MTF since the mid-'90s; maybe that has something to do with it.

congrats on the high mileage!
 
I like it just because it's a stick!
smile.gif


If you wanted to hang onto it a while longer, I'd use either the cheapest conventional oil and change more frequently. I have no idea if a high mileage oil with seal conditioners would have any effect? But I doubt you'd have any major issues before the body rotted off it...
 
Quote:
I plan on replacing the vehicle in the next few weeks. Wife and I are going shopping on Saturday.


Which vehicles are you interested in checking out? Did you make it out today?

If your car is leaking oil and you do keep it around for awhile I found that Maxlife HM helped with the seal leaks on my 98 civic and down here it's very reasonable at Walmart.
 
Very impressive, not the uoa as such, but getting 411K out of the Integra. Nice job. Let us know what you test drive, and what you think.
 
Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
So lay it on us Tegger. How many miles did that car have when you bought it? What was your oil change regime?

5.5 miles on the odometer. I bought it new with the intent of keeping it forever, but that's not going to happen for reasons of rust, all of which is hidden under the windshield/cowl trim.

Oil was changed every 3-5K miles, always with a Honda filter. Half the engine's life was spent with Castrol GTX 5w30, the other half with Mobil1 5w30. No additives, ever.

We never made it out this weekend, so we didn't look at any cars. Maybe in two weeks, next time wife has a Saturday off.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

scalar_field
Castrol Edge 5W30 SP/GF6 - 7,601 Miles - 2010 Subaru Impreza EJ253
Replies
2
Views
2K
ScottyB
H
Glitter or Bubbles?
Replies
9
Views
446
Marcozi
B
Case study: Chemical cleaning stuck rings to eliminate oil burning
2
Replies
22
Views
3K
Patman
F
Another B12 Chemtool Piston Soak Oil burner success with Toyota 2AZ-FE
2 3
Replies
43
Views
12K
FALARAK
jetman
  • Locked
4th UOA, 07 Yukon Denali w/6.2L, 10,200 miles, Mobil Delvac 1 ESP 5w30
Replies
16
Views
4K
Oliveoil2
Back
Top Bottom