Blue Devil/What would you do?

[sbird1]

So I've been given a '96 Integra to work on and I'm running into an issue. Either there's a burnt/stuck valve or there is a head gasket leak (or possibly both). The car is burning oil and coolant. When I changed the oil yesterday, I didn't notice any milkyness to it, so I don't think the coolant is leaking into the oil. The guy wants to have the car in as good of shape possible for the least amount of money. The car has 237,000 on the clock, but still runs very smooth. There is no lack of power, it starts right up, and most everything works. So, the question is this: should I try adding Blue Devil to it? Does anyone here have experience with the product? I read a few reviews and they've been a mixed bag of very good and very bad.

He obviously doesn't want to pull the head, so that's out. I don't have a compression gauge or else I'd find out for sure what is going on with the valve. I also don't have a way of pressure testing the cooling system, either. So, what would you do?

He also wants to know if I know anyone who may be interested, so if you are PM me. The car will probably get sold for less than $2,000 depending on the state of it when the time comes. It's an optioned out, M/T car...

[sx moneypit]

A mechanic that used to work with me bought an 87 Vette with over 300000 miles on it that had the same issues. He bought some Bar's Leak of some sort (it was about $40.00 i think) and drove the car about 6 months without any problems.He sold the car after that so i don't know how it held up after that.

[Bubba1]

So I've been given a '96 Integra to work on and I'm running into an issue. Either there's a burnt/stuck valve or there is a head gasket leak (or possibly both). The car is burning oil and coolant. When I changed the oil yesterday, I didn't notice any milkyness to it, so I don't think the coolant is leaking into the oil. The guy wants to have the car in as good of shape possible for the least amount of money. The car has 237,000 on the clock, but still runs very smooth. There is no lack of power, it starts right up, and most everything works. So, the question is this: should I try adding Blue Devil to it? Does anyone here have experience with the product? I read a few reviews and they've been a mixed bag of very good and very bad.

He obviously doesn't want to pull the head, so that's out. I don't have a compression gauge or else I'd find out for sure what is going on with the valve. I also don't have a way of pressure testing the cooling system, either. So, what would you do?

He also wants to know if I know anyone who may be interested, so if you are PM me. The car will probably get sold for less than $2,000 depending on the state of it when the time comes. It's an optioned out, M/T car...

My Altima displayed the same symptoms at 170K miles (burning oil and disappearing coolant), and it still ran well...for awhile. It turned out to be a headgasket failing and a scored cylinder wall . I was able to drive it a few months in that condition (topping it w/oil and coolant each weekend) before it deteriorated, and it actually ran fine as long as I drove it daily and went a significant distance to get it nice and hot. When I gave the car to my son as his first car, the car didn't get used as much and went shorter distances, so the plugs began fouling every couple weeks. I decided to sell the car (to a mechanic friend) rather than put the money into it for a new head gasket.
I sugggest buying a set of plugs and a spark plug wrench if you don't plan to fixt it because you may eventually have problems starting it due to foul plugs. I didn't try any additives to my alti but I did switch to a heavier oil.

Good luck

[sbird1]

Just in case anyone searches for this thread in the future, I thought I'd update and give it some closure. I used Blue Devil as well as a Bar's Stop Leak oil additive. After going through the flushing procedure and all of the necessary steps, the smoking and burning of fluids seems to have significantly subsided. I don't know if I can attribute this to one particular product, but the Bar's was only like $9. So far, I have not had any problems with the car overheating or anything like that. I'm changing the plugs today and then this little Integra will be good to go. I'm amazed at the car's power and condition (mechanically) after 237,000. Speaks greatness to the good ole Honda engineering. In conclusion, the products do as they advertise. If I am notified of any future problems, I will report back to this thread.

EDIT: The Bar's that I used was a 2 part additive that was VERY heavy stuff. Thick, thick, thick. I know that there is more than one Bar's product out there, so I thought I'd specify.

[95zenki man]

not gonna lie when i clicked on this thread i was hoping this was about Duke....Im a big duke fan so you just upset me a little bit....


GO BLUE!




With that being said im gonan go read what you have to say and get back with ya on that one.

[alms24sebring]

Hmm yeah I seem to have that exact same problem in the 240. Destroying oil and losing a small amount of coolant. I decided to say f*** it and just try and get rid of it, with a warning of the problem to a potential buyer of course.

Ive never heard of Blue Devil though. I assume its like Lucas??