A bit worried about my B16...

[terry_em1]

For those that don't know, I've the original B16A2 in my EM1. It has nearly 90,000 miles. Its standard as far as I know. All I've done is add an intake, a full 2.5" exhaust system, and some cooling mods. Nothing has been done to the internals. Standard ECU with crossover at 5,800.

So the part thats worrying me is...
Last time I topped up the oil was back at the start of May. Done a couple of laps on track. Few pulls on the street, revving all the way to 8,000, every so often. The oil level hasn't moved a bit. Not even a little. I thought these engines are known for using oil, but my car is different.

The exhaust isn't smoky at all. VTEC kicks in fine I think? The crossover just isn't that intense if you get me. I think thats down to my intake though.

What do you guys think? For oil, I'm using Motul 5W40 and a HAMP filter. Nothing special.

 

[Dcharles_Ek9]

If there are no leaks etc everything seems/sounds fine from what you listed above. Check the VTEC solenoid gasket? Cheap part to replace but if that were an issue you'd see a leak.

Does it seem down on power? Or you're not hearing VTEC crack like usual?

 

[iRELOADED]

I mean you might just have a decent non-leaky engine?

 

[terry_em1]

If there are no leaks etc everything seems/sounds fine from what you listed above. Check the VTEC solenoid gasket? Cheap part to replace but if that were an issue you'd see a leak.

Does it seem down on power? Or you're not hearing VTEC crack like usual?

I swapped out the solenoid gaskets for genuine Honda ones not too long ago. Cleaned it out too.

The car still feels ‘quick’. I use that word loosely haha. Only today did I notice that theres no audible VTEC crossover. But thats a new issue.

I’m just very shocked that the engine isn’t using oil. People say its not a bad thing, but any B series I’ve been around has been known to burn oil.

 

[terry_em1]

I mean you might just have a decent non-leaky engine?

Maybe haha. I do baby the engine and it hasn’t had a rough past. As in no one abused the engine. Same can’t be said for other things…

 

[Civicfacelift]

sounds like you have a good engine , count yourself lucky ! unless coolant/fuel is topping the oil level up but that's unlikely .

my b16 has a puff of smoke going through the gears but even after the trackdays I only have to top it up a small bit. I changed the valve stem seals but they didn't make any difference. Engine made 182hp on the dyno so I'm happy with it.

My brothers S2000 doesn't burn any oil and that has done a lot of track driving with around 190k so there is some good engines out there.
He has an ek9 with 136km that doesn't burn any oil either but it has a very easy life.

like you said , I think so many of them were thrashed and not maintained or rebuilt wrong , that they tend to burn oil..

 

[spikeyhairdude]

My k series turbo doesnt use any oil from service to service. no leaks and everything works fine.
Oil level stays the same the whole time

You must have a very good engine

 

[Dcharles_Ek9]

And just to add to your VTEC crossover. My Integra Type R is the same. Sometimes it pops and very audible and sometimes I just barely hear it. But power always comes on at VTEC so I don't think anything of it.

I think it's just how the car is rev'd(driven) sometimes in the upper RPM's or if the motor is up to temperature.

 

[terry_em1]

Thanks for all the responses. Think I can sleep at night now

 

[little_hesus]

You just have a really good engine , with the proper tolerance in the internals!
for the oil I have a similar experience with my b20vtec , no oil is needed (5-30w castrol edge with the liquid titanium).I was super confused about mine aswell.
For the vtec noise , could be the intake or due to how you engage it , there are some params based on map sensor + rpm that need to be met in order for the vtec to be engaged , if you want to see these params , you can search for s300 hondata vtec params.
The other option is if there is a problem with oil pressure itself and vtec doesn't pop. We had an issue with my brother's ef that didnt get rpm signal and basically didnt engage vtec.

If you feel like that the powerband continues and it doesnt bog down then you should be fine , but try to feel when its audible and when its not , if its the same or atleast similar

 

[terry_em1]

You just have a really good engine , with the proper tolerance in the internals!
for the oil I have a similar experience with my b20vtec , no oil is needed (5-30w castrol edge with the liquid titanium).I was super confused about mine aswell.
For the vtec noise , could be the intake or due to how you engage it , there are some params based on map sensor + rpm that need to be met in order for the vtec to be engaged , if you want to see these params , you can search for s300 hondata vtec params.
The other option is if there is a problem with oil pressure itself and vtec doesn't pop. We had an issue with my brother's ef that didnt get rpm signal and basically didnt engage vtec.

If you feel like that the powerband continues and it doesnt bog down then you should be fine , but try to feel when its audible and when its not , if its the same or atleast similar

I have an oil change coming up. Will see what its like and if my magnetic sump bolt picked up any metal.

I've been driving the car lately and VTEC engages fine. Think I need to drive it harder to clear it's throat because I'm always cruising around at 3,000 max.

 

[Dzero4]

yeah, with that mileage it can be perfectly normal to not burn oil. My B16B only started burning after 180k Miles/ 290k KM. And the amount it uses is still below the maximum allowed factory spec.

 

[iRELOADED]

I have an oil change coming up. Will see what its like and if my magnetic sump bolt picked up any metal.

I've been driving the car lately and VTEC engages fine. Think I need to drive it harder to clear it's throat because I'm always cruising around at 3,000 max.