2005 Civic SI 1 Qt low?
- Thread starter JavaMan
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Funnier things have happened in this world! Just keep checkin it and topping off. If it looks like your car is in fact an oil eater then it'll probably have to be about 1 quart every 800 miles for Honda to even open their ears. As long as the car runs good/has good power and fuel economy then it's probably just something you'll have to live with - frequent top offs. Join the club; I'm a card carrying member.
First of all, keep an eye on it, second, I would not run it to 10,000. Change it out at 5,000.
Check the drain plug and the filter - something simple might be leaking.
Check it before driving, after it has been sitting for a good long time.
Always use the same place to park and check, so you can get this sorted out accurately.
Your engine may not be broken in yet, and they can use oil when new, for a while. 3,500 is a little long, however, for such great use.
Always use the same place to park and check, so you can get this sorted out accurately.
Your engine may not be broken in yet, and they can use oil when new, for a while. 3,500 is a little long, however, for such great use.
At 3,500 miles, that Honda engine should by fully broken in.
I also agree with Johnny, stick with 5K mile OCIs. Any reason you want to run them 'til 10K miles?
I also agree with Johnny, stick with 5K mile OCIs. Any reason you want to run them 'til 10K miles?
Triple_Se7en
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JavaMan
What oils and weight are you using? Is this synthetic? If this is conventional factory-fill, does Honda suggest you keep that oil for 10K?
What oils and weight are you using? Is this synthetic? If this is conventional factory-fill, does Honda suggest you keep that oil for 10K?
It was the factory fill. I went by the Honda dealership where I bought the car and they drained the engine and put in new oil and a filter. They didn't seem that concerned with dumping the factory fill. I have to monitor the oil usage. First of all they are trying to decide if the initial fill level may have been incorrect. From what I gathered if oil use continues they will follow a flow chart until the problem is resolved.
its that 5w-10 factory fill oil that the US marketbound honda engines come full of, you might wanna step it up a bit and pour in some WD40
When they changed the oil did you see if they filled it so its at the top dot? Maybe the filter is taking up some of the oil after you drive it?
Maybe your dealer fills the car only to the lower dot? The Honda dealer here the two times I had the oil changed there, never again, put in 5 quarts in a 4 quart motor. Maybe they put 3 in yours?
But the SI Civic, is the 1.7L VTEC, I am not sure of this, but does not the VTEC motor burn a little oil by design?
Maybe your dealer fills the car only to the lower dot? The Honda dealer here the two times I had the oil changed there, never again, put in 5 quarts in a 4 quart motor. Maybe they put 3 in yours?
But the SI Civic, is the 1.7L VTEC, I am not sure of this, but does not the VTEC motor burn a little oil by design?
After my 3,400 mile filter and oil change my Civic seemed to be running a little smoother and quiet. The engine was running fine before. No one else would have probably noticed. Today the gas gauge was going down at a slower than usual pace, so, I decided to fill up early to check it out. Gas mileage went from 33.1 mpg to 36.2 mpg. That extrapolates to over 39 mpg driven on the 4.7 gallons of gas consumed over the past 2 days. I set the cruise at about 58 and don't run the ac in the mornings. When I first got the car it was getting 29.5. I assume my driving habbits moved it up to over 33. Could the oil be responsible for 6 mpg difference? I'll certinly keep an eye on this and the oil level.
Hi,
I went from around 41-42 mpg to over 44 in just keeping the speed down 5-10 mph in my Corolla. I stayed at 65mph instead of my normal 70-75.
(The speed limit is 75 here and when your doing 65, those Semis coming by at 80mph sure rocket by...
)
Same oil, same temps, same fuel, A/C on all 1/2 the time (I come home at 2am).
It's the driving habits much more than the oil.
Take care, Bill
I went from around 41-42 mpg to over 44 in just keeping the speed down 5-10 mph in my Corolla. I stayed at 65mph instead of my normal 70-75.
(The speed limit is 75 here and when your doing 65, those Semis coming by at 80mph sure rocket by...
Same oil, same temps, same fuel, A/C on all 1/2 the time (I come home at 2am).
It's the driving habits much more than the oil.
Take care, Bill
The ECU initially has this engine run a bit rich when new. Note the black exhaust deposits. After a few thousand miles, the deposits turn brown as the ECU leans the engine.
This engine seldom burns oil excessively. Look closely for leaks (especially around the oil filter) before concluding that it's burning oil. The dipstick is only reliable when you measure on level ground and before the first drive of the day.
This engine seldom burns oil excessively. Look closely for leaks (especially around the oil filter) before concluding that it's burning oil. The dipstick is only reliable when you measure on level ground and before the first drive of the day.
What happens when the ECU is reset along the life of a Honda?
Sad to hear that your Si is drinking oil at such a young age. My 02 Si too has been guzzling oil since delivery with 10 miles on odo. Now at 61K, consumption continues - currently ~1qt/1000 mi. I have studied this problem with EP3s extensively. High oil consumption seems to plague mostly 02-03s. Of course, Honda will not do anything unless consumption is >1qt/1000mi. Some have attributed this high consumption to less than round cylinder bores, cylinder scoring, or porous cylinder liners. Recently my catalytic converter failed undoubtably due to phosphorus contamination from burnt oil. Honda picked up the tab under warranty. The next one is on me at $1000.
My advise to you would be to keep up your hopes. Some K20A3 engines do not fully break in until 7500 miles. Stay with Honda 5w20 conventional until consumption decreases. Also, continue to have the dealership track your consumption - I made the mistake of stopping after the first 1000 mile interval when I only lost 1/2 qt. What I found out was that my oil consumption tended to increase dramatically after the first 1000 miles after an oil change - go as long as you can without changing the oil. When the dealership tops off your oil after an oil change, request that you be present or at least double-check their work - some are not so careful and will overfill by as much as 0.2 qt.
I am aware of at least three Si owners who have had their short blocks replaced under warranty because of excessive oil consumption. Interestingly, in all three cases the replacement engines did not use a drop afterwards.
My advise to you would be to keep up your hopes. Some K20A3 engines do not fully break in until 7500 miles. Stay with Honda 5w20 conventional until consumption decreases. Also, continue to have the dealership track your consumption - I made the mistake of stopping after the first 1000 mile interval when I only lost 1/2 qt. What I found out was that my oil consumption tended to increase dramatically after the first 1000 miles after an oil change - go as long as you can without changing the oil. When the dealership tops off your oil after an oil change, request that you be present or at least double-check their work - some are not so careful and will overfill by as much as 0.2 qt.
I am aware of at least three Si owners who have had their short blocks replaced under warranty because of excessive oil consumption. Interestingly, in all three cases the replacement engines did not use a drop afterwards.
Thanks for the info JBSO2! After the oil change when the service manager marked my oil level on a little chart for monitoring it seems it was marked 1/2 quart low. I was with him, but, in the daylight with new oil I just agreed and went on home. Looked at it this morning and it looked pretty full to me. Took a picture (well about 25 pictures) of the oil level tonight (strangely I can see it better in a picture)and it is perfectly even with the full mark. He probably had just a hard time seeing it as I, but, I'm just a little paranoid.
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