Brief overview.

I had my car turbo'ed at 60k miles. It ran with 7 psi and a good tune till ~80k when I had a detonation under partial throttle. Cyl 3 took the hit and the rings were blown past shooting all the oil out the dipstick. Removed set up and reverted to stock, since this I never noticed the car burn oil.

I have replaced:
Transmission (refurb @ 150k)
Timing belt and pumps
all ignition system components
one catalytic converter
knock sensor
thermostat
oil pan seal
Fuel pump and filter
brakes
all fluids

So I am reaching the break even point here where I have put about as much money into the car as it is worth. And now I have two major concerns. One I am getting p1381 (i think) denoting an intermittent voltage detected at the CYP Sensor. (Happens after a lot of driving and can be fixed by resetting the ecu).

More worrisome coming down trail ridge yesterday I was using a lower gear to help preserve my brake and once I got to the bottom and got on the gas I saw a very noticeable poof of blue smoke from the exhaust. First time I've ever seen this.

I pulled into a filling station and got out and even at idle it was puffing blue smoke. I'm sure this is as a result of engine breaking but I'm taking it as a sign that the rings on cyl 3 (more than likely) are nearing the end of their life. It smoked for about 10 miles then Once back in town and driving regularly I didn't notice any more puffs so I think it might be ok with regular operation just not engine braking.

So I plan on doing a compression test when I get the time... But what are some of your guy's thoughts? Should I put the for-sale sign on it before the engine bites it big?

 

philosophical type response.

I do my performance things w/ motorcycle now so cars are utilitarian, get me there regardless of weather.
This isn't where you're at though ...
Me? I would sell it and buy my next heart throb.

Have fun ...

 

i think thats where I'm heading. Probably be a couple months till I find the right buyer and have my finances adjusted for this. I have my eye on a 1996 audi S6 turbo 5 cyl 5speed that my friends shop has. Its 100% cherry.

I hear ya on the motorcycle thing. I've been racing cars for the last 5 years in NASA / SCCA type events and love the act of driving. Taking in all the sensations of the road is my anti-drug. My next car will hve to be a manual and preferably OEM turbo'ed.

 

Very nice. That one should be "fun".

 

Test results are in.

Compression test done at 5000 ft above sea level on a 90 degree day

Type Dry Wet % Variance

1. 95 130 26%
2. 85 95 11%
3. 90 100 10%
4. 90 115 22%

 

These are the numbers adjusted to reflect what this test at sea level would have yielded:

CYL Dry Wet %var

1. 114 156 27%
2. 102 114 11%
3. 108 120 10%
4. 108 138 22%

 

I guess its good that all the cylinders are uniformly low.... Anyone got ideas on what to do?

If I have to put over 900 into this car I would rather sell it...

 

Me, I'd slap a new pcv in it ride and till she goes......I chased a oil burn for a while, only one day to realize that the pcv had "lost" the insides (hope they came out during an oil change?) and once I replaced it, it was fine.....still have that car some ~80K miles later.

I see the numbers. What is the savings of the payments for ~6 months (if the Accord lasts that long) vs selling it?

Anyway, two cents from a poorman.

 

2¢: 6th Gen auto...dump it before the trans goes out again.