I Am new here on HCF , if any one could tell me what to watch for to keep from buying a civic oil guzzler. I might give you my 1'st BORN CHILD! lol

 

Take oil cap off and look for sludge inside the engine. You should see brown oil-covered bare metal. Black deposits mean the previous owner didn't change oil often enough and you will have problems.

Then test drive and have someone follow you in another car watching for smoke. There shouldn't be any. Smoke that gets worse when you floor it is from the rings being worn.

 

If you can, ask it you can start up the car after letting it sit overnight.

I say that because mine will blow a little oil smoke first thing in the morning, but not at all during the rest of the day. I've summed it up to being a bad valve seal(s), allowing oil to seep into the combustion chambers overnight, then burning off first thing in the morning.

When I test drove the car, I didn't notice it because the car had been driven during the day, and doesn't smoke at all unless it's started up after sitting for a good, long time.

 

Have someone with their windows rolled down follow you, and floor it. If they smell burning oil, then no go. A lot of civics dont really burn enough to make billowing smoke or anything, but they slowly burn and you could get a good whiff when you floor it.

 

Check the exhaust and see if there is black powder or if its wet with oil. That'll let you know if there was some sort of leak

 

tnanks everyone for all the replys, you saved me from buying an oil burner!