Anyone know if the VTEC engine will have problems from having low oil level but no indicator light on and posibly PO used wrong grade of oil in this enging.He was also getting a code P1259.
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2001 Accord VTEC engine problems low oil
- Thread starter bigsteve
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How long was it run with low oil? Was it actually below the low hashmark or was it just on the low mark?
That's a code for the VTEC oil activation system. It needs the correct viscosity as the system uses oil pressure to activate the VTEC mechanism.
It was at the bottom tip of the dip stick. Also wat is the oil change interval for this car. Its my nephews car he just got his license 6 mo ago.
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Also can these VTEC engine use PP synthetic 5w20 engine oil or does it have to be conventionl engine oil? I did his oil change with Castrol GTX 5w20 and a Honda Oil filter.
PP 5w-20 will be great for a VTEC engine, I will give you a run down of oils I have used in a 97, and 02 4 cylinder VTEC. Shell Rotella T 5w-40, 0w-20, 10w-30, 5w-30, pretty much anything. I don't think oil spec is your problem, however I would try to keep the oil at the full mark, and my Honda's have worked great with 5w-20 oils all around they may be the best choice for the 4 cylinder Honda engine, but if I catch oil on sale my VTEC gets a good dose of on sale, rebate, or in general good cheap oil LOL. I'm running Castrol GC 0w-30 right now, however I had great results with Edge running it out around 15k with a purolator pure one
So mabey it was the low oil that was the problem. he said before I changed the oil the car had a tough time on the on ramp to the high way but after I changed the oil we took it on the high way and no problem was incountered.
gathermewool
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What has been the maintenance history? Any quality, SM-rated dino would be just fine in the car. The thing you need to figure out is how much oil the car is burning or leaking and why. If it's burning oil, maybe a few shorter, 5kmi runs on PP 5W-20 would be good.
Originally Posted By: bigsteve
So mabey it was the low oil that was the problem. he said before I changed the oil the car had a tough time on the on ramp to the high way but after I changed the oil we took it on the high way and no problem was incountered.
I think your correct, keep the oil level where it supposed to be (looks like I'm directing this towards you, but I mean in general)choose any good oil 0w-20, to 5w-30 and he will be in good shape. Honda's are easy on oil, 7500 miles is what my 02 calls for on dino, and a filter change every other oil change that put filter change at 15k, I have been catching synthetic on sale and running my oil out to or close to 15k, however if you want to use a dino like the Castrol keep it around 7500 miles (not sure what year model car you are talking about, or what engine, what i said above as far as OCI goes for 4 bangers, not sure how the v-6 is on oil.
So mabey it was the low oil that was the problem. he said before I changed the oil the car had a tough time on the on ramp to the high way but after I changed the oil we took it on the high way and no problem was incountered.
I think your correct, keep the oil level where it supposed to be (looks like I'm directing this towards you, but I mean in general)choose any good oil 0w-20, to 5w-30 and he will be in good shape. Honda's are easy on oil, 7500 miles is what my 02 calls for on dino, and a filter change every other oil change that put filter change at 15k, I have been catching synthetic on sale and running my oil out to or close to 15k, however if you want to use a dino like the Castrol keep it around 7500 miles (not sure what year model car you are talking about, or what engine, what i said above as far as OCI goes for 4 bangers, not sure how the v-6 is on oil.
Originally Posted By: bigsteve
Also can these VTEC engine use PP synthetic 5w20 engine oil or does it have to be conventional engine oil? I did his oil change with Castrol GTX 5w20 and a Honda Oil filter.
I have the same year car and engine. I've switched back and forth between synthetic and conventional without a single issue. I typically run maxlife, but generally any quality oil will do. I had an issue with oil consumption when I first bought the car. It burned between half to a full quart every 3k miles. This isn't considered high, but it sure annoyed me. I continued using maxlife and it slowly reduced (so I'm assuming it was my valve seals). I finally bumped it up to 5w-30 from 5w-20 and it nearly eliminated consumption. Thicker oil with maxlife seal "conditioners" seem to have done the trick.
I do have to say though... Now that maxlife has done it's job, I'm getting ready for a fun little trial with Amsoil SSO.
Also can these VTEC engine use PP synthetic 5w20 engine oil or does it have to be conventional engine oil? I did his oil change with Castrol GTX 5w20 and a Honda Oil filter.
I have the same year car and engine. I've switched back and forth between synthetic and conventional without a single issue. I typically run maxlife, but generally any quality oil will do. I had an issue with oil consumption when I first bought the car. It burned between half to a full quart every 3k miles. This isn't considered high, but it sure annoyed me. I continued using maxlife and it slowly reduced (so I'm assuming it was my valve seals). I finally bumped it up to 5w-30 from 5w-20 and it nearly eliminated consumption. Thicker oil with maxlife seal "conditioners" seem to have done the trick.
I do have to say though... Now that maxlife has done it's job, I'm getting ready for a fun little trial with Amsoil SSO.
Its a 4 banger VTEC enging on a 2001 Honda Accord.
If there was still oil actually showing on the stick, you probably haven't done any damage. Obviously good to keep the oil at the proper level, though.
I think it was 2000 that Honda went to 5W-20 on it's engines, but with an older Honda buring oil, using 5W-30 would probably be a good idea.
I think it was 2000 that Honda went to 5W-20 on it's engines, but with an older Honda buring oil, using 5W-30 would probably be a good idea.
Originally Posted By: addyguy
If there was still oil actually showing on the stick, you probably haven't done any damage. Obviously good to keep the oil at the proper level, though.
I think it was 2000 that Honda went to 5W-20 on it's engines, but with an older Honda buring oil, using 5W-30 would probably be a good idea.
2001 Model year for 5w-20. My '00 Accord with J30A1 is spec'd for 5w-30.
If there was still oil actually showing on the stick, you probably haven't done any damage. Obviously good to keep the oil at the proper level, though.
I think it was 2000 that Honda went to 5W-20 on it's engines, but with an older Honda buring oil, using 5W-30 would probably be a good idea.
2001 Model year for 5w-20. My '00 Accord with J30A1 is spec'd for 5w-30.
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typ,
Actually, all 6th generations Accords ('98-'02) were back specified for 5W20.
Actually, all 6th generations Accords ('98-'02) were back specified for 5W20.
Even with the back spec/first year spec for 20-weight; on a high-mile engine with consumption issues, I'd go to a 5W-30.
And no, a 5W-20 to 5W-30 switch is not going to cause the VTEC not to work - the extremely low oil level did that. Keep it topped off, and the motor will run fine fr a while longer.
And no, a 5W-20 to 5W-30 switch is not going to cause the VTEC not to work - the extremely low oil level did that. Keep it topped off, and the motor will run fine fr a while longer.
Is 2001 require a 5000 or 7500 mile oil change with conventional oil.
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In 2001 a 7500 mile OCI was recommended for normal driving & 3750 for severe driving. No allowance was made for synthetic or conventional oil usage.
Originally Posted By: bigsteve
Also can these VTEC engine use PP synthetic 5w20 engine oil or does it have to be conventionl engine oil? I did his oil change with Castrol GTX 5w20 and a Honda Oil filter.
I have 5K miles so far with PP 5w20 in a SOHC VTEC. I switch to PP from conventional because i wanted to extend my OCI.
Also can these VTEC engine use PP synthetic 5w20 engine oil or does it have to be conventionl engine oil? I did his oil change with Castrol GTX 5w20 and a Honda Oil filter.
I have 5K miles so far with PP 5w20 in a SOHC VTEC. I switch to PP from conventional because i wanted to extend my OCI.
Originally Posted By: benjamming
typ,
Actually, all 6th generations Accords ('98-'02) were back specified for 5W20.
Hmm. Did not know that. I still have 50 quarts of 5w-30 to go through though!
typ,
Actually, all 6th generations Accords ('98-'02) were back specified for 5W20.
Hmm. Did not know that. I still have 50 quarts of 5w-30 to go through though!
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