You nailed it right on the head with the non Honda trans fluid having the most amount of problems when switching from three to four when it's cold. My car is a living testament to that! When it is cold, when it tries to shift into fourth, it seems to hang up, then rev up 300 rpm or so then switches into fourth. I am OCD with my VW and using OE fluid and changing every 20k. Looks like I need to be OCD with this Honda too. Only downfall is I found some passenger side wheel well rot. The spot of rust is in the "infamous" spot right where the bumper meets the wheel well. I've seen this countless times on Honda's and Subi's. I am going to have to have someone cut out the rust and patch it up very soon.

 

Got a question. Every once in a while on a cold start, and when I say cold start I mean it sits for over a day I get blue smoke out the tail pipe. Like I said, its has only happened twice since I put the motor in. Happened 10 days ago and happened just now (tonight). Started the car, it started rough then when it fired fully it smoked blue smoke and I could smell the oil.

What do you think it could be? Could it be caused by running 10w40 oil in her instead of 5w30? I also haven't noticed any measurable oil loss. And also once it stops smoking she doesn't smoke again. Did I get a bum motor?? How long do I have??

 

Valve stem seals are my first "guess".

The oil....well the 5w vs the 10w in cold is harder on the start up but not that much and IMHO has nothing to do with the smoke you are seeing.

Again, if it is the stem seals...the motor could last for years. Ok you have smoke on start up after sitting for some time, wears on the plugs but really that is about it.

For now, keep an eye on the oil level and lets see how it goes.

 

Ok so I changed the oil after 1900 miles and began my tranny fluid flush.

The oil looked good coming out and I refilled her up with some nice Castrol 5w30. It's been almost a week now and the smoke on start up hasn't shown her ugly face again. But it has been relatively warm here in PA and is supposed to hit almost 60 degrees tomorrow. I have a feeling when the temps drop down below freezing again on Tuesday, I may see that blue smoke again. But, we shall see!

I drained out 2.5 quarts of the current tranny fluid and replaced it with OE Honda fluid. It still shifts somewhat rough especially 3rd to 4th, but I can hear/feel improvement though. I notice I have to drive less before I actually start feeling smooth shifts. So signs are pointing in the right direction for that.

As promised here is a pic of my drain plug. Loaded with TONS of grey gunk and some flakes of metal, just as poorman stated.

 

That looks about normal. Again just didn't want you to worry when you saw it.

I also use Wix oil filters from Carquest....saw that in the pic

Yea temps hear are above normal, we are in the low to mid 70's.

 

Love those Wix filters!! Fram and STP are a joke. For instance for a small period in time, years ago, I used to use Fram filters on my VW. My VW takes an unconventional open faced filter. It slides onto the oil filter housing cap and clicks. The next oil change I went to put on a new Fram and it wouldn't click on. I took it back to the Auto Store, replaced it out and still the new one wouldn't fit/click. I then went to NAPA and bought a Wix filter and it snapped on perfectly. I thought it may have been that my housing cap warped being that it is plastic, but I tried the same Fram filter on another housing cap and it did the same thing!

Now it is on to tackle ABS light issue. I want that sweet succulent ABS to work An 18 year old car, with no CEL(s) and working ABS is my goal.

How's your EGR issue coming alone poorman? Did you suck it up and find a replacement EGR?

 

Again, for the ABS....get the code(s).

Me and my EGR on the 89....well the light hasn't "trip" for a few weeks. Until I know...I'll keep chasing/waiting...at some point it will grow up and show its self.

 

And Happy (late) B-Day ....sorry I missed that Sunday

 

Actually you're not late, it is not until the 29th I need to change my profile!

 

There you go messing with me again

In that case, happy early b-day.