2001 Prelude - fluctuating oil level...?? - Honda Prelude Forum

604chad · 06-06-2011, 03:11 PM

I drive a well taken care of 2001 Prelude. When checking my oil I have seen fluctuating levels. After driving it on a four hour road trip, I have had the car on flat ground and let it sit for 20 minutes. I check the oil and see that it's at about half full. The next day I drive to the store to buy oil and on flat ground and after 20 minutes check it there again before I put half a liter in... and it's up full where it should be!? Why would I be seeing these fluctuating levels? Has anyone else seen such things with their 'lude?

pIERCE · 06-06-2011, 03:21 PM

Gravity works. It takes a lot longer than 20 minutes for your oil to drain to the pan.

604chad · 06-06-2011, 04:27 PM

okay I realize that but it still seems strange because I waited 20 minutes each time. Why are the drain speeds be so different then? I know how picky this car can be about level ground and it was definitely flat when I measured.

minilogoguy18 · 06-06-2011, 04:55 PM

When it's hotter it's thinner and will drain faster, taking the fill cap off will help. You sure you wiped the dipstick and checked again?

thegamettt · 06-06-2011, 05:02 PM

check hot only, or check cold only. that way you get a more consistant reading. Also you'll know the differences of how much your oil expands when hot. I've had the same issues with all my hondas having inconsistent readings. Then I realized i was checking at inconsistent times. Sorry if that was confusing.

dre2day · 06-07-2011, 10:11 PM

Yea, how long did it take you to drive to the store? If it wasn't 4 hours then you are not checking at consistent time.

caaraa · 06-08-2011, 01:16 AM

Gravity works.