Honda CRX 1984

[Xipher]

Hello, I have been reading this forum since I acquired my car, and believe that I can get good solid advice here. I own a 1984 CRX DX 1.5L, EW1 engine, in the past 203,003 miles, the engine was replaced at some time ( 40,000-50,000 miles or so ago it seems ) and I am coming up on the first oil change of my ownership of this vehicle. I drive my car in a very *spirited* way as well, utilizing the RPM range (6500rpm redline) from time to time on drives. After looking around some, the manual states that for the temperatures in my area, the best oil is 10w-40. So comes the question…

Based on the 1.5L 4 cyl carbureted engine, manufacture and likely conditions (never less than 32F, likely over 84F )

What would you recommend for this engine?

If price was an issue?

If price was not an issue?

The car is also expected to have 3k miles or less OCI’s and does not seem to be burning any oil at all, nor leaking/seeping that I can see.

 

[LarryL]

I have an 84 Civic wagon with the 1.5 engine and a five speed with 383k miles. The engine shows no sign of giving up and passes California smog. Those carb engines are very good. I was gradually moving from 5w30 to, finally 10w-40 with some 20w-50 because of oil consumption. I did two Auto-RX treatments and am back to 15w-50 for the final rinse cycle and plan to try 5w30 again. There is now, in the final phase of the rinse, no or very little oil consumption. And part of the secret of long life is where you live, in my case Southern California.

 

[glloyd]

these civic sure do live long

 

[Dave Hess]

LarryL,

Has your engine been rebuilt?

Hondas in general are like the Energizer Bunny

 

[spf182]

If it were mine I would do an Oil Analysis on a run of the 10w-40 and one on a 30 weight also. If the results were comparable I would stick with the 30 weight.

I had an old CRX (with the 1.5 carb engine) when I lived in Florida and remember that the 40 weight oil made it rev much more sluggishly.

It was a fun car to drive... good luck.

 

[radiometer]

Larry,

Wow!! Reckon you'll ever get that car broken in?

You're getting your money's worth out of this one.

Xipher,

It's hard to go wrong on the current SL and SM oils with a 3k OCI. I'd pick Havoline or Chevron Supreme in a case like yours.
..

 

[LarryL]

The head has not been off. I did replace the camshaft and valve seals, because of one bad lobe that gave it up at over 200k miles. I'm waiting to get off the rinse, to switch back to synthetic. Also, I'm amased at the reduction in oil consumption do to Auto-RX. Also I think the previous synthetic oil and Lube Control have been doing a good job, too.