Vtec Smoking issue

[Sacred]

I’m looking at purchasing an EP3 and was talking to a friend about certain things to look for when buying this car (as he also wants one in the future), and he said if/when you hit vtec when testing the car and it smokes, don't bother buying it. What causes this? Is this a big issue? Is it really game over if the Vtec smokes when buying one of these cars?
Novice post I know but just gathering info. Cheers

 

[Hazz]

It's more of a B-series thing smoking on crossover. True though, if it smokes it's worth avoiding. It's not a cheap fix unless you're comfortable taking engines apart and rebuilding cylinder heads.

 

[musegroove]

IIRC smokey vtec usually means a rebuild may be on the cards as it's burning oil past the rings or valves aren't sealing etc

 

[Krzys]

It's more of a B-series thing smoking on crossover. True though, if it smokes it's worth avoiding. It's not a cheap fix unless you're comfortable taking engines apart and rebuilding cylinder heads.

More often than not on the B series (B18c4 I'm specifically referring to here) it's the PCV that causes that symptom.

 

[Hazz]

haha nice moderation John

 

[Loxy]

haha nice moderation John

 

[Sacred]

So stay away? Out of interest how much would that cost to re-build the engine? Sounds pricey

 

[Hazz]

Depends on the level of damage. Best case scenario it's just valve guides and seals, new set of piston rings. Less than £100 worth of parts probably, or there abouts. Labour wise you're talking 10+ hours. Worse case you're sending the head away for valve seats, re-hone the block, maybe even a skim. Probably £500 or so there. It's probably more cost effective to buy yourself a 2nd hand motor.