Just got my oil change the other day. I checked the oil levels and they were perfect. Couple of days later, its at minimum. Why?? Do I have to fill up again? My car is at 3400 miles. My first oil change was at 2600k and the oil level was below minimum. Is it because I've been going over vtec too much?
VTEC will burn a lot of oil, probably not a quart in a couple days though. I've noticed that when I change my oil, I have to put in almost 6 quarts instead of the 5.1. So I don't know?!?
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When did you start doing vtec is a really imprtant part of breakin. I do hope you followed the book on this issue. The first several 1k miles are critical to whether you will use a lot of oil over the long term. Right now you are still bedding the motor in and it will use a bit of oil as all of the parts seat themselves. Actually you were not to have changed the oil this early or run the motor above 5K a lot until the 3750 mile point or first oil change. The break-in additive is now out of your engine.
My 99 has NEVER used a drop that I could detect on the dipstick and I bought the car absolutely new.
If this persists-I would take it into the dealership and let them check it out under warranty. As to having to put more than 5.1 quarts in, haven't seen that one either. Remember to check your oil with the engine cold (like before first startup in morning).
Just my experience - hope it helps
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Originally posted by jc836 When did you start doing vtec is a really imprtant part of breakin. I do hope you followed the book on this issue. The first several 1k miles are critical to whether you will use a lot of oil over the long term. Right now you are still bedding the motor in and it will use a bit of oil as all of the parts seat themselves. Actually you were not to have changed the oil this early or run the motor above 5K a lot until the 3750 mile point or first oil change. The break-in additive is now out of your engine.
My 99 has NEVER used a drop that I could detect on the dipstick and I bought the car absolutely new.
If this persists-I would take it into the dealership and let them check it out under warranty. As to having to put more than 5.1 quarts in, haven't seen that one either. Remember to check your oil with the engine cold (like before first startup in morning).
Just my experience - hope it helps
I hit vtec 600miles. I dealer told me I didn't need to break in. He said the 2001 or newer models don't need it. THOSE BASTARDS!! Well, I'll be sure to take it to the dealership. Thanks for your help.
Well the only reason why I got my first oil change at 2600k was because the oil level was below minimum at that time. The dealer didn't say anything. Well, I'll ask them about it.
don't you people READ the owner's manual. it states DO NOT change the oil before the 1st scheduled oil change according to your driving, severe - 3750 miles, normal - 7,500 miles. this is also under the oil questions under owner's link.
Originally posted by thewedge4 the dealer won't do dick about oil burning. Not if it's less than a QT. per 1,000 miles---highly unlikely within the 36,000 mile warranty.
What CAN the dealer do about oil burning? Can they replace the rings or seals or something? I *might* have to take mine in...it burns oil about that much, like 1000 miles/quart
I remember in another thread you said you didn't do your first oil change until 7500 miles..... Did your car consume any oil during that period? Mine has only 1500 miles so far and it seemed to have consumed 1/3 quart of oil. Not too bad if compared to some other people's cars but it just doesn't seem right to me. I drive very meticulously with most mileage built under 4000 rpm. I only hit VTEC four times after 1200 miles.
My previous 95 VTEC Prelude and 2k Civic HB did not burn a drop of oil at all, ever. I was wondering why this 01 SH would burn oil? Some said that some of the Preludes got bad rings. I'm gonna have the dealer run my VIN on the computer and see if I am one of the lucky owners. You may want to check with your dealer and see what they can do about it.
hey, what's up? Actually, my car did burn oil during that period. I can't recall exactly how much though. I believe my problems are related to the way the car was broken in (or NOT broken in, I guess). I got my car with 120 miles on it, and the car was originally from a Boston dealership. Now I don't know whether they trucked it over or had someone drive it, but either way it was driven for 120 miles before I saw it. I assume whoever put those miles on it flogged it a little.
I was told something similar to what Sukuchi_SH was told, that the car didnt need any further breaking in. So I took it to VTEC a few times fairly soon after getting it, not every time I drove, but maybe once a week. Bad idea I know
I'm hoping the dealer can at least tell me if the problem is fixable, or if it will cause any future problems. If the worst consequence is that I just have to spend more money on oil, that's ok. I'm worried about longevity of the internals mostly.
Hmmm... I start wondering if the Fiber Reinforced Metal cylinder walls have something to do with the oil burning.... The cylinder walls of the H22A1 engine (4th gen VTEC) does not have this FRM coating and my car (95 VTEC) did not have the oil burning problem (btw, I drove the car hard from the very beginning)...
Yeah I am worried about the internals too in a long term perspective. Anyway, if I got bad rings and even if my dealer can replace them under warranty, I still do not have the heart to let my baby have this major surgery this early.......
My oil level dropped to .5 QRT again since the last oil change which was about 2000 miles. Currently, I only have 5078 miles. Correct me if I'm wrong but 0 is at the tip of the measuring rod. .5 is the first hole or dot and 1 is the second. The oil level should always be on the second hole. Apparently, my oil level was right below the first hole.
The first time I took it to the dealer, they told me that all DOHC engines consume more oil. This time, the Mechanic who was working on the problem was nice enough to come out and talk to me about the problem. (this is at my Local Honda Dealer) He said another SH was there a week ago with the same problem. He claims that mostly the 2001 prelude's have this problem with the oil. He told me to check the oil level every 3 days and if it's below minimum, then take it back to them for a full inspection of what's going on. Obviously this is a problem. I kept asking him what is the worst that can happen if this problem persist and if this was normal? He said no and that he didn't know what worst can happen.
To me, this was strange:
The service guy didn't give me one of those print outs. Basically a receipt of your maintenance record at the Dealership Service Deapartment. But I got him to print one out for me. I have warranty under my car and Honda Care so I had to make sure I get a copy of the written statement of the problem. He seemed dishonest or maybe he didn't know his stuff to have the Mechanic come out to talk to me. Weird. What do you guys think?
He said only a few preludes have this problem and only the newer preludes do, who here has this problem? If you do, is it because we drive too crazy...you know...rev to 8000 often?
Last edited by Shukuchi_SH; 04-22-2002 at 04:29 PM.
Most cars burn a lil oil. Some don't, but most do. As long as it doesn't burn more than a quart of oil per 1000 miles, and as long as there is no white/bluish smoke that is constantly coming out of your exhaust, it's fine and I woulnd't worry about it.
On the dipstick, the difference between the minimum mark and hte maximum mark ( the 2 holes in the dipstick) is about a quart. Put the oil level to the top hole, and then start a mileage log of where the oil level is every time you get gas. To keep it consistent, make sure the engine is warm, that the car is on a level surface, and then check it 5 mins after you've turned the car off. Write down where it is in relation to the 2 holes, the mileage of the car, and how hard you've driven the car since the last time you checked. Then let me know and I'll tell you if it's a problem. My SH burns about a quart every 1000-1500 miles, but it runs fine and there is nothing wrong with it. Hope this helps.
After they added 1/2 quart, the car felt better. Before, my car always jolted. And I stall easily on first gear. It feels smoother now but dude, I have other problems as well. My car is extra bouncy than my friend's SH. In addition, the car feels like it's going to fall apart. Are my struts and springs wearing out already? It's only been 5000 miles. Dude, I feel like getting my Tein HA's already.
My friend bought his Audi S4 brand new so I asked him about the oil consumption just out of curiousity. He never checked the oil level until the first scheduled oil change (5,000 miles).... the oil level was so low that the dipstick could not pick up any oil for him to read. During the second 5,000 miles, he said it was getting better...only needed to add about 1/2 quart before it hit 10,000. Now he is at 13,xxx and it barely burns any. I hope your car (and mine) will get better as the mileage adds on....
Originally posted by jc836 When did you start doing vtec is a really imprtant part of breakin. I do hope you followed the book on this issue. The first several 1k miles are critical to whether you will use a lot of oil over the long term. Right now you are still bedding the motor in and it will use a bit of oil as all of the parts seat themselves. Actually you were not to have changed the oil this early or run the motor above 5K a lot until the 3750 mile point or first oil change. The break-in additive is now out of your engine.
My 99 has NEVER used a drop that I could detect on the dipstick and I bought the car absolutely new.
If this persists-I would take it into the dealership and let them check it out under warranty. As to having to put more than 5.1 quarts in, haven't seen that one either. Remember to check your oil with the engine cold (like before first startup in morning).
Just my experience - hope it helps
What???? The breakin period of the Prelude is within the FIRST 1,000 miles! The engine doesnt take this long to 'bed in'...Thats why they say after the first 1,000 miles the motor should already be BROKEN IN. Change the oil and filter to get out all that metal floating around from the break in and you'll be fine...
If you lost a quart in a couple of days, check for leaks first before you take it to the dealer... My money is on an oil leak...
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I dealer told me I didn't need to break in. He said the 2001 or newer models don't need it. THOSE BASTARDS!! Well, I'll be sure to take it to the dealership. Thanks for your help. 
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