Near diaster, low oil level found

[DeepFriar]

Seems it doesn't matter how often you tell your kids... My daughter was preparing to go to Florida from Atlanta. Thought she should check the oil. After all she had it changed in Dec., it might need some.... Hmmm, no oil on stick. Result - 4 qts. low! 2006 Civic SI with 5.8 qt. sump. I suppose it's possible it was underfilled at the (cough) quick change place in Dec. That would only account for 1 qt. if they used the regular Civic engine quantity of 4.7 qts. It hasn't ever been an oil burner up to now. It hasn't overheated or made strange noises during this time frame and she did drive it to Florida and back after topping up. I hope it won't start being a burner now! How much damage would you all expect to see from this if any? At least she was running PUP throughout (of course I had it shipped to her back in Dec.). Don't ask her hair color.

 

[FCD]

Only time will tell...
Although if it still runs without any bad noises it's probably ok

 

[Dave Hess]

Who did the oil change ?

Why didn't she see the low oil level warning light ?

 

[DeepFriar]

That's a good question. I'll have to ask.

 

[sleddriver]

Let me get this straight...her Honda was 4qrts low with a 5.8qrt sump? Not even 2 qrts in there? Worse, with the regular quantity of 4.7qrts?? So instead of having a full load of oil sharing the heat/dirt/combustion contaminant duty, not even 2 qrts have.

What was left in there was REALLY dirty.

I'd say time for a FULL & VERIFIED FULL oil + filter change to return to square one. In addition to a weekly level check.

 

[Kestas]

My guess is this isn't the first snafu on oil maintenance for this car. Once you have an episode of oil neglect, the car starts to burn oil and the problem avalanches.

 

[DeepFriar]

Originally Posted By: sleddriver
I'd say time for a FULL & VERIFIED FULL oil + filter change to return to square one. In addition to a weekly level check.

First thing Monday morning or....death.

 

[SatinSilver]

Did she seem alarmed by that or not really? A new oem pcv valve would probably help.

 

[DeepFriar]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
My guess is this isn't the first snafu on oil maintenance for this car. Once you have an episode of oil neglect, the car starts to burn oil and the problem avalanches.


That's my fear as well although she has taken good care of it in the past. This is another of those occasions where someone looks at you and says, "..but the OLM said I had 30% left".

 

[JC1]

Originally Posted By: DeepFriar
Seems it doesn't matter how often you tell your kids... My daughter was preparing to go to Florida from Atlanta. Thought she should check the oil. After all she had it changed in Dec., it might need some.... Hmmm, no oil on stick. Result - 4 qts. low! 2006 Civic SI with 5.8 qt. sump. I suppose it's possible it was underfilled at the (cough) quick change place in Dec. That would only account for 1 qt. if they used the regular Civic engine quantity of 4.7 qts. It hasn't ever been an oil burner up to now. It hasn't overheated or made strange noises during this time frame and she did drive it to Florida and back after topping up. I hope it won't start being a burner now! How much damage would you all expect to see from this if any? At least she was running PUP throughout (of course I had it shipped to her back in Dec.). Don't ask her hair color.


I'd like to see that oil filter cut open. Are you doing the oil change or does it go to iffy lube.

 

[Doc8404]

No light on? Surprising.

 

[Donald]

So it needs to be carefully monitored to see if it burns oil or drips it.

Too late to take action against the quick oil change place.

The vehicle is 11 yrs old. Soon to be a beater.

At this point not much one can do. Maybe a learning experience, maybe not.

The oil light never came on?

 

[FCD]

It also happened to me once, i once went out with my car for a 50Km ( 30 mile ) round trip, the next day i checked the dipstick , there was no oil on the dipstick.... i nearly [censored] my pants right there, but i filled it to the brim with oil and 3 years after nothing bad has happened.

 

[DeepFriar]

Still don't know about the warnng light. I have told her to save the filter and 4-5 oz. oil. This change will be done at a Honda specialist shop we know we can trust.

 

[Rand]

Does it even have a warning light?

most vehicles have the dummy "no oil pressure" light

but many dont have the "low oil level" light

for example subaru forester didnt get this light until 2014.

Are you sure it needed 4 qts.

if it was 3.25qt that would be a whole lot better.

 

[BrocLuno]

First thing I'd do is drain the oil and fire it up for a few seconds and see if the light is working as it should?

Then refill with some 5W-40 HDEO (high detergency) like T6 and a can of BG 109 ("EPR") and have her drive it for 3,000 miles and change it again.

It may live just fine, or not... Only time will tell...

 

[CR94]

Originally Posted By: Donald
...

The oil light never came on?
Does that model include an actual low oil LEVEL warning light? If not, there's no reason the low oil PRESSURE warning light should've come on, as long as the level didn't drop below the pickup.

 

[DeepFriar]

I doubt there is an "oil level" light. There aren't many of those in my experience.

Good idea on the HDEO Broc.

 

[DeepFriar]

Originally Posted By: Rand
Are you sure it needed 4 qts.

if it was 3.25qt that would be a whole lot better.

I thought exactly the same thing but after a lot of questioning - 4 qts. She had 1 qt. left after topping up from new jug of Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w30. Apparently used 1 qt. on the trip of 1100 miles. Not the best of news.

 

[69GTX]

I've had the gasoline emptied out of my tank on trips away from home. I don't see why someone couldn't remove some oil...for whatever reason.