Rep Power: 229

This post is really more for fun than science, and an actual question (obviously if you intend to damage any engine it will break).

Today I saw the fourth 7th gen with a d17 block come through my shop with virtually no engine oil, still running!

The first was by far the worst, when we pulled the plug literally (not figuratively) five drops of oil fell out. When it came in there was one hell of an engine noise which sounded like very chattery lifters, but I wasn't sure because of the severity (probably carbon fusing the lifters together). We did a full flush (complete drain, 3.5L straight detergent added, run 10 minutes, then dumped). then added some mineral oils to help the seals and balance the remaining engine pH level (lucas hd, 1L, not sure if it really helps seals, but it does add to oil film tension and helps small leaks) and new oil (2.5L). It cranked and made some lifter noise for half a second, then it ran smooth as silk! I really couldn't believe it, I thought that engine was toast.

Since then I've seen three more over cooked d17s, one with a half liter left and two bellow that.

3 out of four of them didn't even sound like they were bothered by the low level, lol.

For a generation known for crap transmissions, at lease the engines are pretty solid.

 
Rep Power: 518

I actually see this about once a month, and not necessarily Civics. Some fare worse than others LOL.

I don't think I've seen 5 drops come out of a running.....wait, I've seen an Odyssey drive in off the interstate with no drain plug. That van is still running today. (I think that's a testament to the quality of the oil we use more than anything)

D17 Civic: If it's a VTEC engine it would usually set a code at about 0.5 quart remaining, because the system can't keep 50+ PSI at high RPM when the oil is that low.
Some people do this so often it's not even funny anymore. Check engine light code is fixed by an oil change, for a high price. Still can't check the oil or abide by the mileage on the sticker.

Non VTEC would not give any such warning until the red gravy boat light comes on.
The valvetrain is not what you head clattering. There are no hydraulic tappets to collapse.
Think lower. Much lower.





Some of the engines that use a timing chain, that repeatedly run low on oil or neglect oil changes.....can stretch the timing chain and strip the ratchet on the chain tensioner...then jump time and bend valves.
Last month we did 2 K24 engines that had this happen...One 04ish Accord with 300,000 miles got a low mileage used engine, the other was an 06 CRV that only had 90k and got a teardown and several valves replaced.....but the owner did not want to do rings, the true cause of his oil consumption. Oh well.


I'd just change the filter and dump new oil in it.

 
Rep Power: 229

The HD I've never had anything bad happen, and it does slow leak, but I'm not sure it is exactly health to run, because it does what its says and jacks up the oil film quite a bit, possibly to the point of over pressurization.

But the flush we use does work very, very well!

I know because I've tested it (by accident mind you, lol)
We did a straight oil change and ran that for 10 minutes, thinking it was the flush (miscommunication with a tech I was training)

It came out brown, but clear instead of new golden colour.

then

we dumped that oil and added the flush. after 10 minutes we drained the flush ad it was jet black.

So the flushes, the large ones, not this stupid 1/2 liter additives, do work well to remove carbon build up.



and I'm still pretty sure it was top end noise, it had the pattern of top end chatter like a well taken car of d17, only much, much louder. It wasn't a low end clunking knock or tick. rocker arms maybe?