Switching over to HM Oil

[RedCorvette]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: RedCorvette


Good point. But it is prudent for him to use High Mileage oils given what he has experienced with his particular car.


Not if he has fixed all the concerns. I seriously doubt starting (or really running High Mileage oils) from 154,000 miles on is going to prevent/fix/cure problems that have had 7 years/154,000 miles to become/start.

Take care, Bill


He said that they had located the faulty seals and replaced them. I'm no expert but are there other seals that weren't replaced? There is no reason to think that the replaced seals are the only ones that deteriorated.

Also, if there was nothing inherently wrong with the original seals, then Honda presumably haven't changed anything in the design of the replacements. Again, if he has no reason to explain why they failed, then he can't assume that they won't fail again.

Given the information I've seen ie that there is nothing wrong inherently with Honda seals, that they failed prematurely, that the OP hasn't provided any information on oils / fluids used, oil change intervals that suggest something in how he maintainted the car contributed to the premature failure, it would be prudent to be pro-active with the fluid that comes into contact with the new seals. It doesn't mean it is the cause, but it won't hurt either.

 

[fdcg27]

If you've ever had an engine apart, you'd know that there aren't all that many "seals" that can produce external leaks.
I would imagine that for what Buster spent, every possible leaking seal or gasket (gaskets are often incorrectly called "seals") has been replaced.
As for why Buster had this oil leak problem, who knows?
Maybe the engine plant had a picnic that day, and the guys in engine assembly had a few too many Kirins with their sushi?
Or a few too many Bud Lights with their grilled chicken and ribs?
J/K

 

[Sayjac]

Strange reading about these "poor quality" rubber seals/gaskets on Hondas. Got an 01 Civic with ~165k on it now, and the only gasket that has been replaced this past summer at ~157k was the head gasket. The cam plug was also replaced around the same time, apparently that's fairly common. Beyond that the engine has been dry with no visible leaks to this point. I don't consider that excessive for now almost 11 year old vehicle with those miles.

Car's seen majors' dino almost exclusively with 5-6k ocis, used about ~.5qt in that interval, less since the head gasket change. So based on my experience I haven't noticed poor quality rubber seals.

With all buster's leak issues, I certainly understand the inquiry. If I had chose to one oil first from the list I'd likely pick Valvoline Maxlife blend, then any of the other dino HM's, based on price. Wouldn't waste money on synthetic HM. I don't see how it could hurt, but have no proof how much it would help either.

That said, it does seem ironic that with the quality oil's buster has used that leaks have been such a major issue. Perhaps as suggested a change, like dino only now with shorter 5-6k/6month ocis are in order first. JMO.

 

[buster]

It's hard to say what caused it. I did use Amsoil engine flush twice over the 154k miles. ??

As far as extended drains go, I really didn't do extended drains. 10-12k a few times, but mostly 8k miles. These are well within Honda's limits.

I agree that a High Mileage oil may be a waste at this point, but I'm ok with using it.

It is disappointing that this problem occurred with only 154k on the engine. It's not a huge deal though. 7 years of trouble free miles. Shouldn't really complain I guess.

 

[RedCorvette]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I would imagine that for what Buster spent, every possible leaking seal or gasket (gaskets are often incorrectly called "seals") has been replaced.


But he did say he went to the stealer

 

[fdcg27]

Buster,
Why would you use any engine flush in a healthy Honda engine?
I'm not saying that this caused your oil leak, but Hondas typically go through their entire lives with no oil leaks serious enough to leave drips anywhere.

 

[mechtech2]

I've seen umpteen jillion engines.
It is rare to see one with no evidence of any leaking/wetness [50k+].
For a seal to be lubed, some leakage is necessary.
Some engines are luckier than others, though!
Go ahead and run the High Mileage oil in that car, if you feel like it. It won't hurt and may help.

 

[buster]

Originally Posted By: RedCorvette
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
I would imagine that for what Buster spent, every possible leaking seal or gasket (gaskets are often incorrectly called "seals") has been replaced.


But he did say he went to the stealer

Compared to a local "highly respected" shop near by, the stealer was significantly cheaper.

 

[buster]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Buster,
Why would you use any engine flush in a healthy Honda engine?
I'm not saying that this caused your oil leak, but Hondas typically go through their entire lives with no oil leaks serious enough to leave drips anywhere.


I just felt like giving Amsoil engine flush a shot. I used it 2x over the 155k miles. The old stuff could have been a bit harsh on seals.

 

[buster]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
I've seen umpteen jillion engines.
It is rare to see one with no evidence of any leaking/wetness [50k+].
For a seal to be lubed, some leakage is necessary.
Some engines are luckier than others, though!
Go ahead and run the High Mileage oil in that car, if you feel like it. It won't hurt and may help.


Thanks, yeah I figured I'd just use the High Mileage stuff at this point. I may use a High Mileage 5w20 next.

 

[fdcg27]

Maybe, maybe not.
Who knows?
I wouldn't worry wbout using High Mileage oils were I you.
You had a pretty rare failure, and have replaced everything which might have caused it.
I'd run any oil you please, and if you want to run High Mileage, it certainly shouldn't hurt.
You probably don't need to, though.

 

[buster]

Found this on Valvoline's website:

Quote:
Do I have to wait until my car reaches 75,000 miles before I can use MaxLife?

Valvoline MaxLife motor oil is designed for high mileage vehicles of 75,000 miles or more. However, it is perfectly acceptable to use the high mileage motor oil in new or used vehicles with less than 75,000 miles.

 

[Dupree]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
I've seen umpteen jillion engines.
It is rare to see one with no evidence of any leaking/wetness [50k+].
For a seal to be lubed, some leakage is necessary.
Some engines are luckier than others, though!
Go ahead and run the High Mileage oil in that car, if you feel like it. It won't hurt and may help.
I agree they all seem to have a little oil on the lowers of the engine at one point or another, to me high mileage oil isn't to correct leaks it would seem at that point your too late, seems it would be better to do before the aging seals get to the big leaking point. more preventative rather than a cure to a problem. It wont hurt anything and the price diff is marginal. Just my .02 especially if you still have some original seals in there

 

[buster]

Originally Posted By: Dupree
Originally Posted By: mechtech2
I've seen umpteen jillion engines.
It is rare to see one with no evidence of any leaking/wetness [50k+].
For a seal to be lubed, some leakage is necessary.
Some engines are luckier than others, though!
Go ahead and run the High Mileage oil in that car, if you feel like it. It won't hurt and may help.
I agree they all seem to have a little oil on the lowers of the engine at one point or another, to me high mileage oil isn't to correct leaks it would seem at that point your too late, seems it would be better to do before the aging seals get to the big leaking point. more preventative rather than a cure to a problem. It wont hurt anything and the price diff is marginal. Just my .02 especially if you still have some original seals in there


That's my thinking as well. Can't hurt, why not just use it at this point? Ideally using it before they start to leak is preferred. I missed that opportunity.

 

[fdcg27]

Buster,
You have 154K on this machine.
What is the likelihood of your putting another 154K on it?
I wouldn't worry about using High Mileage oil, unless you just want to.
This engine will not likely have any further oil leak problems through its remaining life.

 

[buster]

Maybe, yeah. Not sure if it's good to switch back though.

Valve stem seals and cam seal could maybe benefit from a High Mileage oil.

 

[fdcg27]

Use whatever makes you feel better.
It certainly won't do any harm, and may do some good.
Hard choice as to what would be best.

 

[JohnSaints]

Is there any truth to the myth that once you go High Mileage oil you should not go back to regular, or is it only a myth?

Also, can High Mileage oil actually do worse for leaky seals? Can it improve them in the short but help destroy them faster in the long run? And can it actually make a leak worse? Or are those just myths?

 

[DragRace]

Originally Posted By: Johnyjj1212
Is there any truth to the myth that once you go High Mileage oil you should not go back to regular, or is it only a myth?

Also, can High Mileage oil actually do worse for leaky seals? Can it improve them in the short but help destroy them faster in the long run? And can it actually make a leak worse? Or are those just myths?


Myth - period.

Bad seals and gaskets and people not torqueing down valve covers and oil pan gaskets correctly are the reasons for oil leaks,dont blame issues on an oil.

 

[fdcg27]

Who knows?
When you get into the murky realm of non-metallic additives, you have no real clue.
You can't see these additives in VOA/used oil analysis.
All oils contain seal conditioners.
Do High Mileage oils have more or a different type?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Many members have reported good results with Maxlife SB, but I haven't seen any with my BMW.
I doubt that High Mileage oils do any harm, but I wonder whether they do much good.