Oil question and Honda R18A1 engine

[B15SE]

I have been running 5w-20 Syntec in my Civic. My main reason behind this is that I found out that the new (in 2006) R18A1 has "jets" that squirt the back of the piston with oil to help keep them cool and keep knock away, since it has a 10.5:1 compression ratio and runs 87 octane.

I was scared that a conventional might burn on the back and cause sludge, carbon, etc.

I know that the Honda OEM 5w-20 is supposed to be very similar to Mobil Clean 5000 or Exxon Superflo.

I want to follow the Maintenance Minder for my OCI, and I believe that it is setup for conventional oil. Do you think I would be "safe" to go with a conventional 5w-20, or even the MC blend? Or should I stay with syn? If I do stay syn, I'm probably going to go Amsoil or PP.

Thanks in advance for any input,
Brian

 

[ChromiumSteel]

Last three Honda's I had, I always ran syn. Did have an '87 that went 244,000 on dino though. Try Mobil 1 Extended Performance in the 5W-20. Outstanding oil.

 

[06VtecV6]

Quote:

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I have been running 5w-20 Syntec in my Civic. My main reason behind this is that I found out that the new (in 2006) R18A1 has "jets" that squirt the back of the piston with oil to help keep them cool and keep knock away, since it has a 10.5:1 compression ratio and runs 87 octane.


I was scared that a conventional might burn on the back and cause sludge, carbon, etc.

I know that the Honda OEM 5w-20 is supposed to be very similar to Mobil Clean 5000 or Exxon Superflo.

I want to follow the Maintenance Minder for my OCI, and I believe that it is setup for conventional oil. Do you think I would be "safe" to go with a conventional 5w-20, or even the MC blend? Or should I stay with syn? If I do stay syn, I'm probably going to go Amsoil or PP.

Thanks in advance for any input,
Brian

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I have been running 5w-20 Syntec in my Civic. My main reason behind this is that I found out that the new (in 2006) R18A1 has "jets" that squirt the back of the piston with oil to help keep them cool and keep knock away, since it has a 10.5:1 compression ratio and runs 87 octane.

How did you disover this nuance of your engine? Could you tell me the compression for V6 Accord in the year 2006 and then recommend some ideas on oil?

I was scared that a conventional might burn on the back and cause sludge, carbon, etc.

I know that the Honda OEM 5w-20 is supposed to be very similar to Mobil Clean 5000 or Exxon Superflo.

Yes and you won't have a problem with MC 5000 because the used oil analysis I'v seen have been stellar but we don't know the driving habits. I used Mobil 5000 once and then the blend twice and I can tell you that on my current MC cycle, it's been stellar. The MC upticked my ECU because my RPMs were higher on same speed driving with MC coming off the MC.

2006) R18A1 has "jets" that squirt the back of the piston with oil to help keep them cool and keep knock away, since it has a 10.5:1 compression ratio and runs 87 octane.


I was scared that a conventional might burn on the back and cause sludge, carbon, etc.

I know that the Honda OEM 5w-20 is supposed to be very similar to Mobil Clean 5000 or Exxon Superflo.

I want to follow the Maintenance Minder for my OCI, and I believe that it is setup for conventional oil. Do you think I would be "safe" to go with a conventional 5w-20, or even the MC blend?

I thought Honda OEM was supposed to be the Mobil 5000 but maybe they're real similar. This is why I used the Drive Clean series to break in the oil till 21,634 miles. I know the Honda liked it because it really rewarded me when I put the MC i. my ECU timing were increased, Yeah I am on MC blend now and was thinking od going PP but right now I am not sure how long to go on this cycle I am at about 4500 miles and I am nervous the oil doesn't last especially since I race a lot when I do. I am not sure bout going to MC from syntec but going to MC from conventional was stellar. I can tell you the drop off is small at 4500 miles on blend but I can tell the add pack has depleted somewhat and it doesn't rev as smooth in one spot like it did but I am expecting a 5k max OCI so I am not overly concerned.

 

[mstrjon32]

I am in a similar situation; I have a GM 3900 engine in my 2006 Monte Carlo, and what made me decide to go with Mobil 1 oil was the exact reason you stated. Like your Honda, my engine is high compression (however not as high as yours), yet runs on 87 octane, and has the same oil spray jets to lubricate and cool the bottom side of the pistons. It also has an oil pressure actuated VVT system.

The reasonable and rational person in me knows that I only need conventional oil, but I just have a gut feeling that the engine would benefit from a quality synthetic. Additionally, I'm following the GM oil life monitor for warranty reasons, and in a few weeks when my driving habits change from primarily short trips to more extended highway driving, I have a feeling the OLM is going to have me doing 5000mi+ changes, and maybe I'm brainwashed but I just don't feel comfortable doing that kind of change interval with conventional oil.

 

[06VtecV6]

yesh about regulating oil pressure. I use stock OEM A02 Honda filters because even though its supposed to be made cheaply, it promises, according to Honda, for regulating oil pressure better. I have given them the benefit of the foubt on this up to now but since I am contemplating using PP full syn, I am using for a better filter for full synthetic. Anyone know the best filter in the 3-5 dollar range for synthetic oil? Who makes AAP filters an is there a darkhorse or a very underrated oil filter that I can buy (perhaps even on sale)

But I am not sure of the PP in the next OCI since I only have used MC for current oil cycle. I should give MC a second run but not sure. BOGOF is there, looming.

 

[06VtecV6]

What oil filters are all you guys using with PP and did you change oil filter brands when you first went synthetic. C'mon guys, the filter is a big deal. I have been using stock Honda filters but I am not sure it will handle the PP.

 

[Quest]

correction: oil jet to squirt oil to the cylinder wall/back side of piston is to cool the metals, and there is no such thing called "keep the knock down" (what knock may I ask you referring to? piston skirt slap due to excessive cylinder wall to piston gap? or ignition detonation???)

oil squirting has been around for quite some time, inc. my lowly Mazda B6 block's bottom end. squirting oil is to enhance cooling efficiency then keeping sludge off.

You need to read up more BITOG my friend.

p.s. my 07 fit comes with 10.3:1 compression ratio and it's specified to run on 87 octane gas, so what is the point you are trying to make sir??

 

[B15SE]

Quote:

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correction: oil jet to squirt oil to the cylinder wall/back side of piston is to cool the metals, and there is no such thing called "keep the knock down" (what knock may I ask you referring to? piston skirt slap due to excessive cylinder wall to piston gap? or ignition detonation???)

oil squirting has been around for quite some time, inc. my lowly Mazda B6 block's bottom end. squirting oil is to enhance cooling efficiency then keeping sludge off.

You need to read up more BITOG my friend.

p.s. my 07 fit comes with 10.3:1 compression ratio and it's specified to run on 87 octane gas, so what is the point you are trying to make sir??

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I learned all this from the Honda Japan website. They have a 20 min video on the technology of the new (in '06) R18A1 i-VTEC engine. They state in that video, that the oil jets cool the back of the pistons to keep ignition detonation down because of the high compression ratio. They state that this is the reason that you can run 87 octane gas. The i-VTEC is also actuated via oil pressure as well.

I was just concerned that the oil squirting on hot pistons could "burn" and leave deposits behind. I just wanted to know if this was possible, or more in my mind? And if a syn oil was justified in this application.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[vronline]

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What oil filters are all you guys using with PP and did you change oil filter brands when you first went synthetic. C'mon guys, the filter is a big deal. I have been using stock Honda filters but I am not sure it will handle the PP.

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You're not sure the Honda filters can handle the PP? Not sure what you mean by this comment, but you should be able to use any off the shelf filter with this oil even if you're doing an extended drain. Pick up a Purolator or Wix if you're not comfortable with the Honda filters.