CR-V burning oil, should I switch brands/weight?
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Excellent post; Complete and succinct.
Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w30 is what I'd run, maybe do a piston soak as well. A Berryman's B12 Chemtool is what I used on my K24 and cut consumption by 1/2. And yes i would do 4k mile oil changes w Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w30 as a lot of us noticed burning after ~4k mile intervals. Seems to be normal and consumption does go back down. Dont mess with the cats yet, let them run and burn off after consumption is reduced, then decide what to do.
If you don't stick w Valvoline Restore and Protect indefinitely I'd stick w 5k mile oci with whatever you choose, my intervals are 3-5k max on my vehicles.
Good luck
Great replies here:
1) Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w-30
2) 5k OCI max
3) Check/replace PCV.
Valvoline Restore and Protect might even fix stuck PCV issues because even the Valvoline Restore and Protect crankcase aerosols seem to clean things. It's bizarre how it can clean things without actually splashing them with oil, but I've seen it with my own eyes.
1) Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w-30
2) 5k OCI max
3) Check/replace PCV.
Valvoline Restore and Protect might even fix stuck PCV issues because even the Valvoline Restore and Protect crankcase aerosols seem to clean things. It's bizarre how it can clean things without actually splashing them with oil, but I've seen it with my own eyes.
Our '14 CR-V has been burning about a quart of oil per OC for the last I don't know how many years. Getting ready to change after my first Valvoline fill run, we'll see if it's any different. Been using Pennzoil platinum and other major full syn brands since we purchased in '13.
I am curious @Woody71, did your CR-V use that amount of oil from day one or did it start around 60 to 80,000 miles? What viscosity oil have you used? What was your oil change interval? How many miles are on it now?
Virginia so currently getting into the teens overnight
Does the oil filter matter? Someone mentioned using a premium filter. I've always used OEM from the dealer
5W-30
It matters, but less than most of us obsessive nerds want to admit.
OEM filters are generally price-point, lowest-bidder filters—far from the bastion of quality. For example, the current OEM Honda filter is just the lowest grade FRAM with blue paint and 100% markup.
There are truly excellent filters out there for $10, so why not use those? Look for the Carquest Premium ($10 usually) or Premium EP ($16) at Advance Auto Parts or its identical cousin the Microguard Select or MIcroguard Select EP from O’reilly auto parts.
These are twins in different outfits (10k mile and 20k mile pairings). I prefer the 10k mile filters as they are typically about $10 and a proven high quality filter for a very reasonable price.
The company who makes these filters (PGI, Premium Guard Inc) also now has the contract for some Mobil 1 filters, you can find them (at a higher price) at WalMart.
Sounds good! I also see a 6 pack of Mobil 1 filters for $60, would those be good? I know I'm not using them for their "extended life" since I'll be changing every 5K but I think they are well rated. Thanks!
Hard to generalize on Mobil 1 because different SKUs might be made by different vendors. Some of the Mobil 1s are PGI made now (my Hondas are) so it’s basically just paying $16 for different graphics if I buy the Mobil 1 instead of the $10 carquest premium or MIcroguard Select.
If you know what to look for, you can spot some clues about who made a particular SKU, but it’s hard to do without physically having it in hand.
I agree on, most of your post, but "6 month time frame" dumps I just don't see it. 12 months makes more sense, at least to me. Even then, you put 1,000 miles in one year, I would dump at the 2,000 miles 2 year mark in a "non high perf car.
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
I recommend replace PCV valve and breather hose. It's a common CRV problem for the hose to kink and shrivel. That can cause a lot of oil burning and/or leaking.
I also recommend using 5w30 Valvoline Restore and Protect for 4 or 5 oil change intervals (of not more than 5K miles per OCI) and NAPA Gold oil filter. Any brand of premium oil filter would be good, but I prefer NAPA Gold because I personally think it's the best.
After 4 or 5 OCI of Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w30, then I recommend using any of these 5w30 high mileage oils from Walmart:
Valvoline Maxlife Extended Protection High Mileage Full Synthetic 5 qts $29
Havoline Lifelong (extended protection high mileage) Full Synthetic 6 qts $28
Quaker State High Mileage Full Synthetic 5 qts $21
Those 3 oils have excellent additives and good base oils. They have higher viscosity at engine full operating temp 100KV (212F) than other 5w30 High Mileage FS oils (less oil burning/leaking) while still having an efficiently low viscosity at 40 KV (100F) and at cold start. So good efficiency and protection at all temperatures, less oil burning/leaking at full op temp, and good protection at cold start. Also, good prices at Walmart.
I also recommend using 5w30 Valvoline Restore and Protect for 4 or 5 oil change intervals (of not more than 5K miles per OCI) and NAPA Gold oil filter. Any brand of premium oil filter would be good, but I prefer NAPA Gold because I personally think it's the best.
After 4 or 5 OCI of Valvoline Restore and Protect 5w30, then I recommend using any of these 5w30 high mileage oils from Walmart:
Valvoline Maxlife Extended Protection High Mileage Full Synthetic 5 qts $29
Havoline Lifelong (extended protection high mileage) Full Synthetic 6 qts $28
Quaker State High Mileage Full Synthetic 5 qts $21
Those 3 oils have excellent additives and good base oils. They have higher viscosity at engine full operating temp 100KV (212F) than other 5w30 High Mileage FS oils (less oil burning/leaking) while still having an efficiently low viscosity at 40 KV (100F) and at cold start. So good efficiency and protection at all temperatures, less oil burning/leaking at full op temp, and good protection at cold start. Also, good prices at Walmart.
Recap: The 03 Honda CRV engine has 120K on it, wasn't well maintained, and rapidly lost Maxlife 5w20 oil to we didn't know where (or why).
1st solution/bandaid we did was topping off with Maxlife 5w30. Then oil consumption reduced signifigantly. That was a good improvement.
Today my cousin finally had time to replace the crankcase breather hose and PCV. The old hose was very collapsed at one of its bends. The old PCV was very dirty, but still rattled a little bit, but not as much as it should.
We're hopeful it won't burn oil anymore.
Just for extra effort, we'll put in Valvoline...
1st solution/bandaid we did was topping off with Maxlife 5w30. Then oil consumption reduced signifigantly. That was a good improvement.
Today my cousin finally had time to replace the crankcase breather hose and PCV. The old hose was very collapsed at one of its bends. The old PCV was very dirty, but still rattled a little bit, but not as much as it should.
We're hopeful it won't burn oil anymore.
Just for extra effort, we'll put in Valvoline...
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Thanks I'll watch a couple videos and see if I can locate the breather hose. Maybe I can tell if it needs changing just by looking? Napa filter looks pretty good and there's a store nearby
Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
Do you mean NAPA brand PCV? It costs $30 last I checked. The NAPA brand PCV is (made by Gates) is good quality.
A Gates branded PCV costs $30 at NAPA, but is probably available at lower cost from Amazon, Walmart, or Rockauto.
Oreilly Microgard PCV costs $14 and it's good quality. I used a Microgard PCV in my neighbor's CRV. It's working great.
When I needed a PCV for an 03 Honda CRV, buying it from my local Honda dealership was NOT an option because at the time they were out of stock nationwide. They didn't know if the Genuine Honda OE PCV was temperarily out of stock, or discontinued.
I'm happy with my Oreilly Microgard PCV because it only cost $14, is good quality, and works well.
The trick is finding/buying the correct breather hose. It's the hose that attaches to the PCV. The lowest cost way to buy the hose is to buy a Gates brand hose from Amazon, Walmart, or Rockauto. Compare prices and consider shipping costs. You will need to enter your VIN # to get the correct hose. A Gates hose purchased online will probably cost around $40 (not counting shipping).
Walmart and Rockauto have free shipping on orders above a certain amount. So maybe pad the order with windshield wipers or motoroil or whatever. Amazon Prime has "free" shipping, but the shipping cost is built into the price.
Alternatively, you can go to your local Honda dealership and give them your VIN # and tell them you want the brearher hose that attaches to PCV. It will cost around $50, but for that extra $10 you get free shipping and the convenience of an easy return if it doesn't fit. i.e. - if the dealership parts dept order wrong hose. This is why I bought my hose from the dealership.
A Gates hose and Genuine Honda OE hose are of equal quality.
I wanted some convenience as well as decent prices. For me the best compromise between convenience and price was to buy a new PCV from Oreilly $14 and a new hose from local Honda dealer $50.
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Always replace the PCV and hose at the same time because it's a lot of hassle getting to either of them. If you go to the trouble to access 1, then it's the convenient time to change both.
There are online videos you can watch that will show you what parts to remove, and what bolts to loosen, to gain access to the PCV and the breather hose attached to PCV. Find a video that applies to your model year (generation) of CRV.
You might also want to check out crvownersclub.com forum.
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Changing the breather hose and PCV combined with using any 5w30 will probably cure your oil burning right there. If it still burns oil (or if you want to be thorough) then use 5w30 Valvoline Restore and Protect for 4 or 5 OCI and then switch to one of the 5w30 High Mileage FS that I recommended.
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Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
If you're burning oil (or leaking oil) and haven't already replaced the PCV and breather hose (that attaches to PCV) within prior 30K miles, then replacing both should be the first thing you do, IME.
Some sources say to replace a Honda K24 engine's PCV every 30K miles. Other sources say every 60K. I personally think 60K for PCV is acceptable with a consistent 3-5K OCI and premium oil filter. If I'm not burning or leaking oil, then I don't want to change PCV more often than 60K because it's a 1 hr hassle for an amateur who's already done it before, or a 2 hour hassle your first time.
I think another strategy would be to replace PCV when your engine starts consuming oil. I think that might be an acceptable strategy for people who change their oil within 3-5K miles, use a good premium oil filter with 20-25 microns @ 99.9% efficiency, and pay attention to their oil consumption.
Personally, I haven't decided whether (in future) I'll change PCV every 60K miles or not until engine begins consuming oil. I suspect the PCV might be able to last longer than 60K with a 3-5K OCI and premium oil filter.
However often I decide to change my neighbor's Honda CRV K24 engine's PCV in future, I will always change the breather hose at the same time.
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Carlostrece
$100 Site Donor 2025
Using Valvoline MaxLife 5w20 my neighbor's CRV used to burn 1 quart every 300 miles! No oil leaks, but lots of oil burning. No blue smoke was seen or smelled. It was a mystery.
Then I switched to 5w30 Maxlife and replaced PCV and breather hose in my neighbor's 03 Honda CRV. This completely eliminated oil burning. Now it doesn't use a drop of oil in 1000 miles.
The culprit was the old breather hose was shriveled and kinked. So replacing it was the main cure. Switching from 5w20 to 5w30 helped too.
Then I switched to 5w30 Maxlife and replaced PCV and breather hose in my neighbor's 03 Honda CRV. This completely eliminated oil burning. Now it doesn't use a drop of oil in 1000 miles.
The culprit was the old breather hose was shriveled and kinked. So replacing it was the main cure. Switching from 5w20 to 5w30 helped too.
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