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Okay, so I havent quite had my civic for a year yet and I'm realizing that it's oil consumption is ridiculous. One month after my oil change I checked my oil and it wasn't even on the dipstick!! I have a very small rear main seal leak. No drippage onto the ground. No nasty smoke coming out of my exhaust or oily smells. I don't know where it's going. I use high mileage oil. The only thing that seems to lesson the consumption is a thicker oil.

Any Ideas or Suggestions?

 
Rep Power: 519

First off, how many miles per quart of oil? A quart per 1000 miles is considered acceptable, even if it is not desirable. YOUR job is to stay on top of it and keep the oil full. If you don't......there will be a tax.

Second, what's it worth to you, to solve the problem? Would it be cheaper to just buy oil instead of re-ringing the pistons or stuffing another engine (of unknown history) into your car? (Decide that later.)

Smoke diagnosis is the usual method of figuring out what the likely culprit is. The running condition where you see smoke tells the tale (load/rpm/vacuum/etc.). BUT-- the catalytic converter will eat and hide A LOT of oil smoke....this makes the usual visual method of figuring this out awful tough.

Rings are the usual culprit IMO.
Stuck oil rings is probably the most common cause when mileage is not astronomical. "Thick" oil may seem to help it, but at the same time, that same oil is very likely to have caused it.
Worn rings if the mileage is high or there is a history of poor quality air filtration.
Weakened rings if the engine has been severely overheated.


HTH
Ez1

 
Rep Power: 314

^ Problem is if he keeps running it as-is he will be replacing catalytic converters every 6 months.

 
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I have only had the car since November so I don't know much history on it. It doesn't have a catalytic converter on it.

 
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So how fast does it use oil?

 
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I drive around 1200 miles per month and at the end of the month after a fresh change, it's usually not even on the dip-stick. I have to put oil in it every three weeks.

 
Rep Power: 519

Refer back to my first reply: Sounds like you are pretty close to that range.

Also note, oil consumption increases with aggressive driving (high RPM and high piston speeds), among other factors.

Feel free to read some of my thoughts on oil, and read the links. The link in that post tells what I have been doing to my GFs Saturn for excessive oil consumption.

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/3...ml#post4643440

 
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Cool! Thanks for your input! I do have to hold it out longer in first thanks to not having second anymore... So that may not be helping either.

 
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fsck, is 1 quart per 1000 miles really standard?!?! I need to stop worrying about oil consumption then.

 
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Oil burns, no matter what. It's hot in there and oil does have a tendency to make it's way to the exhaust. Some use more than others. There is a reason that your car is using oil, but it's nothing to worry about if your monitoring the situation. Once it gets beyond the ratio then you can either do something about it, or buy more oil. Up to you.

 
Rep Power: 187

By that logic, there must be something wrong with my car. I can't see a difference in oil level between 6 months of changing oil. It looks like it stays at the same spot on the dipstick every time I drain and fill it. Eleven years old and I can't tell a difference from one oil change to another. Maybe I should take it to a mechanic.

 
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wtf?

 
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Lol, I was joking. I should have put a smiley or something at the end there.

 
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LoL. Some use more than others. It all depends on how well the piston rings sealed when the car was young. And a ton of other factors.

 
Rep Power: 519

Maybe you should loosen your drain plug a little so it drips.

 
Rep Power: 174

Or you could use a Fram. :-)

 
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Guess who is an OE supplier to Honda....and several other vehicle manufacturers...

 
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I could, but I prefer the one on the far left in the picture below. Been using it for about 3 years now and the same brand 5w-20 full synthetic oil.

I took ezones advice and loosened the drain plug. Now I feel I'm in the majority with oil leaks.

 
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February 2011? Surely by now there is a better one You have to be careful with the efficiency of your oil filter. If it's too efficient it can actually restrict the oil flow the engine so badly needs because it is passing through too much filter.

 
Rep Power: 187

Well, my oil pressure idiot light has never come on while driving or stayed on more than a half second at startup with this high efficiency filter so I'm assuming I don't have a pressure problem. Of course there's no true way to tell that with out putting an inline pressure gauge on it.

 
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I know the ebay HEMP(I think) filters are like 100% efficient but they seriously restrict the oil flow to the engine and can cause serious damage. I imagine that problem doesn't exist with Amsoil filters though. Don't wait for that light to come on. Usually when that light comes on serious damage has already been done internally. It's not an idiot light it's an "Oh ****" I probably need a new engine light.

 
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Can the same be said for the Purolator PureOne?

 
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Chart from Amsoil is self serving propaganda.

 
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No. The only one that causes the issue is the Hemp filter. Your safe with all other types (From over filtering anyway)

 
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Agreed. And I'm not a fan boy or a dealer, I just prefer to use their products.

 
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Most oil products are so top notch right now that spending the extra on Amsoil is.. a waste.

 
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And that's your opinion and I'm glad we're all entitled to one.

 
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Very true. But, it's not just my opinion. It's my money too and I like to keep it in my pocket not theirs. Especially since Amsoil filters are made in the same factory that makes about a dozen different brands

 
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Do you have a reference or citation for this statement? I didn't know that. I would like to know what dozen or so different brands are manufactured in the same factory as Amsoils filters. I can see Mann filters since they sell those filters as well.

True too, but I'm sure you don't have any independent, non-bias testing to back you're statement that the oil and filter you use is any better, worse or the same as the oil and filter I use, yet you think spending a the few dollars extra for the oil and filter I prefer is some how a waste of money. But once again, it sounds like that's your opinion and not spending extra money on what I prefer is also your opinion.

 
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You know what I might be wrong. It's an article I read some time ago that may not have been accurate (now that I'm searching the subject). I stand down! I'm still sticking to my oil choices though lol.