I changed the oil in my '05 Honda Accord V6 (115K, mostly hwy miles) and noticed a gas smell I have never noticed before. On the last oil change I changed from M1 (w/Mobil filter) to PP (with P1 filter), both 5W-20, after all the positive comments and used oil analysis here. I had used M1 the last 30K miles with a roughly 5K OCI. When I put the PP in, I immediately noticed the engine was louder. I thought maybe I was just hearing things, but a little over 2K into the run on PP, my wife made the comment that my engine "seemed to be working harder" as we drove to the beach a few weekends ago and she had no idea what oil was in the car. So today I decided to change the oil back to M1 at 3.3K on this OCI. Wow, the gas smell was obvious and the oil came out black and almost like water. After changing my oil I checked my wife's '07 Honda Ody with 65K, 50/50 hwy/city. I had changed her oil from M1 to PP (with same filter combo as the Accord) at the same time. At only 2K now on the PP, the oil in the Ody has a strong gas smell also! The engine noise in the Ody is also more noticeable with the PP. So tomorrow, I will be changing the Ody back to M1. Her car had no maintenance during the 2K, while my Accord had a timing belt, water pump, and tensioner replacement. I thought that might be the reason for the gas smell until I checked the oil in the Ody. Anybody experienced this with PP or know what might be causing this? I understand fuel dilution occurs, but this seems highly coincidental to be a problem with both vehicles at the same time and NOT be the PP. Thanks to all for you help with this.
PP and strong fuel odor??
- Thread starter cwing6
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Strange. The only way to make any oil smell like gasoline is to put gasoline in it.
Out of all the vehicles I have used PP in (Including Hondas) I have never had this problem.
I think it is just a coincidence and you have another problem causing it.
Good luck.
I think it is just a coincidence and you have another problem causing it.
Good luck.
Hadn't considered the weather or winter gas formulations. It has been decidedly colder here the past week so that could certainly be a factor. BTW, not trying to throw PP under the bus. I know its one of the best oils out there. Just wanted other's opinions on this issue.
Are you sure you didn't have gasoline on your fingers and you rubbed your nose? 
Just a thought....
In all seriousness, I've used PP for who knows how long now and have never heard of anything like that.
Just a thought....In all seriousness, I've used PP for who knows how long now and have never heard of anything like that.
maybe you should drive on the highway for 15 minutes and check again!
I use PP in both my honda's, no issues at all. Both vehicles have always had fuel smell in the oil as both see 50/50 city highway. I think with Honda's you get more of a fuel stench due to them tuned to run rich.
I have never observed this with PP. I have noticed this in cold weather and when short trips became the primary service.
I would check for a leaky injector like an oring. Is the vehicle running okay? Oil level hasn't risen has it? It's not the oil.
I've had PP in both of my current Hondas, and have noticed neither any excessive fuel odor, nor engine noise relative to the M1 both have also had.
Anyway, how could a different brand of oil create a fuel smell?
I can't think of any rational reason for this to occur, unless ring sealing is really bad with PP, which seems unlikely.
Anyway, how could a different brand of oil create a fuel smell?
I can't think of any rational reason for this to occur, unless ring sealing is really bad with PP, which seems unlikely.
I switched to PP in my Mazda 3 and think it is wonderful. First oil change with is cleaned a lot of [censored] the mazda dealer fills left. Now my oil stays clean for many thousands of KMs. I don't think you can blame this great oil.
My cars 2 Hondas (Accord and Ody) and 1 Volvo (850) always dump more fuel in the oil when cold. (In fact both makes are a bit infamous for this). It's odd you didn't notice it before. I don't think there is anything different about PP that would have you picking the fuel aroma up more than the M1, maybe look at the virgin volatility of both, but I would just watch it. Maybe rotate between the oils to see how repeatably this occurs....
OTOH - you could just be more in tune with your oil.
OTOH - you could just be more in tune with your oil.
Someone just told me that PP was bad stuff. He said it made his engine all waxy.
Sigh.....
Sigh.....
It takes all types I swear
Originally Posted By: mechanicx
Originally Posted By: hpichris
Someone just told me that PP was bad stuff. He said it made his engine all waxy.
Sigh.....
Isn't that Pennzoil and waxy rumor going on 40 years old now or something
?
Probably and it will probably never go away.
Originally Posted By: hpichris
Someone just told me that PP was bad stuff. He said it made his engine all waxy.
Sigh.....
Isn't that Pennzoil and waxy rumor going on 40 years old now or something
Probably and it will probably never go away.
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