15-year-old Honda, about 13,500 miles a year...doing pretty well I'd say. Whatever oil or oils were used, they did not cause engine failure...Honda engineering still doing well.
Wish my pics to my 01 Civic at 168k miles in this thread still active (thanks PB) as similar valvetrain design to topic.
I'll say though I've seen worse (not much) IMO topic engine is sludged. As comparison mine looked very similar to the pic below from another Civic in a youtube about how to adjust valves.
Originally Posted By: Sayjac
Wish my pics to my 01 Civic at 168k miles in this thread still active (thanks PB) as similar valvetrain design to topic.
I'll say though I've seen worse (not much) IMO topic engine is sludged. As comparison mine looked very similar to the pic below from another Civic in a youtube about how to adjust valves.
Any worse and I'd deem it out-and-out sludge. But, true, not close to the fail point yet - just not doing the car or the owner's wallet any favors. It'll have to run better after I get done with it, based on the deposits on these pistons. VTEC gasket screen is gummed up pretty good, too. Regular gas, most likely dino oil, lots of city driving - I wouldn't expect much better.
Originally Posted By: mightymousetech
Originally Posted By: Alex_V
...maintenance decent...
I would debate that.
From what I know of the previous and current owner (friend>his MIL) and the cosmetic condition of the rest of the car, it hasn't been neglected (to a point) or abused. I suspect that accumulation has mostly been in the last quarter of its miles.
Finished this up yesterday and it purred like a kitten. Sent the head to the local Napa machine shop - wound up taking .012" off, which involved taking the cam, etc. out, and even took out a broken exh. stud, and cleaned it up real good, all for $45! By the time it was said and done it got new timing belt kit + water pump, plugs/wires/cap/rotor, valve adjustment, and of course all related gaskets and seals (didn't dig into valve seals) and it even surprised me how well it ran afterward. I found mild sludge through the whole engine and told the owner that, whatever oil gets used, needs changed more often.