Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Check the PCV valve before you do anything. Unless you’re somewhat mechanically inclined, I would steer clear of doing any soaks. Your oil consumption isn’t bad, but could be made worse, say, if you partially hydro lock a cylinder...
Also, switch to the cheapest API-rated oil you can find. It’s a 1.7L engine in a Civic. As long as you have oil in there, it’s fine. Because of this, I wouldn’t assume previous maintenance was done well; these engines can take some abuse.
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What’s the history of the timing belt, water pump, coolant and everything else that should also be checked on suck an old vehicle?
I already have the PCV valve on the way and have been considering doing this for a while.
I am going to switch to a 10W-30 conventional dino oil.
I am somewhat mechanically inclined, but I am going to skip the soak for now. I will see what the oil and PCV does and if it gets worse, then I will explore.
Any objections to putting BG109 or Seafoam in the oil roughly 100 miles prior to this oil change? Will that be too risky in any way?