98 Accound burning oil
 

My son has a 98 Accord EX 4 cylinder that has always burned some oil
since we've bought it.

It now has 132K miles, and has started going through more oil.

It hasn't had much maintenance so I'm wondering if it might be
something besides bad rings? It seems to run strong, it just burns
oil.

Is this common with Honda's? Any ideas? I notice a lot of black
residue in the tail pipe, so I don't think it's leaking it.. although
I suppose it could be doing both?

Thanks for any advice.

Re: 98 Accound burning oil
 

Steve L wrote:
> My son has a 98 Accord EX 4 cylinder that has always burned some oil
> since we've bought it.
>
> It now has 132K miles, and has started going through more oil.
>
> It hasn't had much maintenance so I'm wondering if it might be
> something besides bad rings? It seems to run strong, it just burns
> oil.
>
> Is this common with Honda's? Any ideas? I notice a lot of black
> residue in the tail pipe, so I don't think it's leaking it.. although
> I suppose it could be doing both?
>
> Thanks for any advice.
>
>
>


Valve guide seals can cause oil burning. A compression test should give
you a rough idea of the state of the rings. I see a lot of Hondas with
soot on the bumper over the tailpipe, but it's usually those with fart
can mufflers owned by kids who drive them hard all the time.

Re: 98 Accord burning oil
 

"James Sweet" <jamessweet1@trashmail.net> wrote in message
news:ggpghr$321$1@news.albasani.net...
> Steve L wrote:
>> My son has a 98 Accord EX 4 cylinder that has always burned some
>> oil since we've bought it.
>>
>> It now has 132K miles, and has started going through more oil.
>>

>
> Valve guide seals can cause oil burning. A compression test should
> give you a rough idea of the state of the rings. I see a lot of
> Hondas with soot on the bumper over the tailpipe, but it's usually
> those with fart can mufflers owned by kids who drive them hard all
> the time.

Is replacing valve guide seals on a 4 cylinder Accord an expensive
job?

Re: 98 Accord burning oil
 

> Is replacing valve guide seals on a 4 cylinder Accord an expensive
> job?

It depends on how it's done.
If the compression is good, you may be able to change the stem seals without
removing the head. I've used a tool that connects to your air compressor to
pressurize the cylinder and keep the valves in place while changing the
seals.
However, if the valve stems have any nicks, scratches or unusual markings on
them, the head will require removal. A much bigger job.

Re: 98 Accound burning oil
 

Steve L wrote:
> My son has a 98 Accord EX 4 cylinder that has always burned some oil
> since we've bought it.
>
> It now has 132K miles, and has started going through more oil.
>
> It hasn't had much maintenance so I'm wondering if it might be
> something besides bad rings? It seems to run strong, it just burns
> oil.
>
> Is this common with Honda's? Any ideas? I notice a lot of black
> residue in the tail pipe, so I don't think it's leaking it.. although
> I suppose it could be doing both?
>
> Thanks for any advice.
>
>
>

What weight oil are you using? I've found that older Hondas burn
little oil when I use 10W-30, and much more if I use 5W-30. (I know that
it shouldn't happen, but it does, dammit.) I would expect even more if
you use 0W-30. The Camrys, though, don't seem to do that.

Re: 98 Accord burning oil
 

On Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:53:30 -0500, Steve L wrote:

> "James Sweet" <jamessweet1@trashmail.net> wrote in message
> news:ggpghr$321$1@news.albasani.net...
>> Steve L wrote:
>>> My son has a 98 Accord EX 4 cylinder that has always burned some oil
>>> since we've bought it.
>>>
>>> It now has 132K miles, and has started going through more oil.
>>>
>>>
>
>> Valve guide seals can cause oil burning. A compression test should give
>> you a rough idea of the state of the rings. I see a lot of Hondas with
>> soot on the bumper over the tailpipe, but it's usually those with fart
>> can mufflers owned by kids who drive them hard all the time.
>
> Is replacing valve guide seals on a 4 cylinder Accord an expensive job?

it's highly unlikely oil seals are needed - that's more relevant to cars
with seals that are submerged in oil in the head. hondas are not.

regarding diagnosis, it sure would help us though if you said how much
it's burning.

Re: 98 Accord burning oil
 

"jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
news:C01Yk.25831$zf3.6370@fe06.news.easynews.com.. .
> On Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:53:30 -0500, Steve L wrote:
>
>
> it's highly unlikely oil seals are needed - that's more relevant to
> cars
> with seals that are submerged in oil in the head. hondas are not.
>
> regarding diagnosis, it sure would help us though if you said how
> much
> it's burning.
>

Ah! Sorry.. he drove it over my house yesterday and it was down about
2.3 quarts, and it had been about 5K since last oil change.

It's been going through oil for quite sometime and seems to run well
in every other way. I had the timing belt changed and the front end
bushings changed at 100K miles. I can't remember that it's ever been
tuned up.

Someone mentioned a PVC valve stuck open could cause issues like this?
Engine looks clean, so it's not spewing oil out of the top of the
engine.

Re: 98 Accord burning oil
 

On Fri, 28 Nov 2008 20:56:39 -0500, Steve L wrote:

> "jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
> news:C01Yk.25831$zf3.6370@fe06.news.easynews.com.. .
>> On Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:53:30 -0500, Steve L wrote:
>>
>>
>> it's highly unlikely oil seals are needed - that's more relevant to
>> cars
>> with seals that are submerged in oil in the head. hondas are not.
>>
>> regarding diagnosis, it sure would help us though if you said how much
>> it's burning.
>>
>>
> Ah! Sorry.. he drove it over my house yesterday and it was down about
> 2.3 quarts, and it had been about 5K since last oil change.
>
> It's been going through oil for quite sometime and seems to run well in
> every other way. I had the timing belt changed and the front end
> bushings changed at 100K miles. I can't remember that it's ever been
> tuned up.
>
> Someone mentioned a PVC valve stuck open could cause issues like this?
> Engine looks clean, so it's not spewing oil out of the top of the
> engine.


yes, check [replace] the pcv valve.

fyi, honda's spec is that if it's using less than 1 quart per thousand,
the engine is ok.

don't know if this will work for you, but fwiw, after the cleaning action
of a couple of years using mobil 1 oil, my civic's oil consumption is down
to <1/4 quart per 5k where it used to be 2+ quart per 5k. allegedly it
can help remove carbon from the rings so they can seat and seal better
again.

Re: 98 Accound burning oil
 

"Leftie" <No@Thanks.net> wrote in message
news:FS_Xk.898$st1.374@newsfe10.iad...
>>
>
> What weight oil are you using? I've found that older Hondas burn
> little oil when I use 10W-30, and much more if I use 5W-30. (I know
> that it shouldn't happen, but it does, dammit.) I would expect even
> more if you use 0W-30. The Camrys, though, don't seem to do that.

I think he has been using 5W-30, getting it changed at a local service
station. But, he's a grad student working toward his PhD in English
Lit (which means = poor as church mouse) so he skimps on things like
car maintenance until it's a problem, and then I usually step in and
help out. Which is cool and I don't mind a bit.. I just didn't realize
he was going through quite so much.

To the previous poster, I use Mobil 1 in both my motorcycles.. 15-50W.
I'm a big believer in it to the point I even run it in my lawn tractor
and snow blower. I'll take the suggestion and start using M1 too if I
can get this resolved.

Thanks all for the suggestions.

Steve L

Re: 98 Accound burning oil
 

On Fri, 28 Nov 2008 21:46:56 -0500, Steve L wrote:

> "Leftie" <No@Thanks.net> wrote in message
> news:FS_Xk.898$st1.374@newsfe10.iad...
>>>
>>>
>> What weight oil are you using? I've found that older Hondas burn
>> little oil when I use 10W-30, and much more if I use 5W-30. (I know
>> that it shouldn't happen, but it does, dammit.) I would expect even
>> more if you use 0W-30. The Camrys, though, don't seem to do that.
>
> I think he has been using 5W-30, getting it changed at a local service
> station. But, he's a grad student working toward his PhD in English Lit
> (which means = poor as church mouse) so he skimps on things like car
> maintenance until it's a problem, and then I usually step in and help
> out. Which is cool and I don't mind a bit.. I just didn't realize he was
> going through quite so much.
>
> To the previous poster, I use Mobil 1 in both my motorcycles.. 15-50W.
> I'm a big believer in it to the point I even run it in my lawn tractor
> and snow blower. I'll take the suggestion and start using M1 too if I
> can get this resolved.

i don't think the oil on its own burns less per se, but the cleaning
action -> less consumption thing seems plausible to me because initially,
consumption was the same, but it's declined over time, and the old gunk in
the engine has noticeably diminished.

my main reason for using it though is better fuel economy and longer
service interval. in my application, it'll do 15k between changes, easy.


>
> Thanks all for the suggestions.
>
> Steve L

Re: 98 Accord burning oil
 

Iowna Uass wrote:
>> Is replacing valve guide seals on a 4 cylinder Accord an expensive
>> job?
>
> It depends on how it's done.
> If the compression is good, you may be able to change the stem seals without
> removing the head. I've used a tool that connects to your air compressor to
> pressurize the cylinder and keep the valves in place while changing the
> seals.
> However, if the valve stems have any nicks, scratches or unusual markings on
> them, the head will require removal. A much bigger job.
>
>


There's another trick I've used to do this, turn the crank so the
cylinder being worked on is not at TDC, then feed a bit of rope in the
spark plug hole letting it pile on the piston, then slowly turn the
crank until the rope is squished gently up against the valves and it
will keep them from falling into the cylinder.

Re: 98 Accound burning oil
 

> I think he has been using 5W-30, getting it changed at a local service
> station. But, he's a grad student working toward his PhD in English
> Lit (which means = poor as church mouse) so he skimps on things like
> car maintenance until it's a problem, and then I usually step in and
> help out. Which is cool and I don't mind a bit.. I just didn't realize
> he was going through quite so much.
>
> To the previous poster, I use Mobil 1 in both my motorcycles.. 15-50W.
> I'm a big believer in it to the point I even run it in my lawn tractor
> and snow blower. I'll take the suggestion and start using M1 too if I
> can get this resolved.
>
> Thanks all for the suggestions.
>
> Steve L
>
>

The problem with skimping on car maintenance is that $20 saved today can
turn into $200 you have to spend next month. Oil changes are a whole lot
cheaper than engine rebuilds.
>

Re: 98 Accound burning oil
 

Steve L wrote:
> My son has a 98 Accord EX 4 cylinder that has always burned some oil
> since we've bought it.
>
> It now has 132K miles, and has started going through more oil.
>
> It hasn't had much maintenance so I'm wondering if it might be
> something besides bad rings? It seems to run strong, it just burns
> oil.
>
> Is this common with Honda's? Any ideas? I notice a lot of black
> residue in the tail pipe, so I don't think it's leaking it.. although
> I suppose it could be doing both?
>
> Thanks for any advice.
>
>
>
Hi,
Bought new? Replaced PCV? Checked compression on each cylinder?
Blow down test is even better. Tried heavier oil?

Re: 98 Accord burning oil
 

Steve L wrote:
> "jim beam" <spamvortex@bad.example.net> wrote in message
> news:C01Yk.25831$zf3.6370@fe06.news.easynews.com.. .
>> On Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:53:30 -0500, Steve L wrote:
>>
>>
>> it's highly unlikely oil seals are needed - that's more relevant to
>> cars
>> with seals that are submerged in oil in the head. hondas are not.
>>
>> regarding diagnosis, it sure would help us though if you said how
>> much
>> it's burning.
>>
>
> Ah! Sorry.. he drove it over my house yesterday and it was down about
> 2.3 quarts, and it had been about 5K since last oil change.
>
> It's been going through oil for quite sometime and seems to run well
> in every other way. I had the timing belt changed and the front end
> bushings changed at 100K miles. I can't remember that it's ever been
> tuned up.
>
> Someone mentioned a PVC valve stuck open could cause issues like this?
> Engine looks clean, so it's not spewing oil out of the top of the
> engine.
>
>
>
>
>

There was a problem that was fairly common in the '70's, but not so
much now: a main crank oil seal would get a piece missing, and slowly
rotate. When the gap was oriented up, no oil leak. When it was down, the
engine would dump oil at highway speeds. I had at least one Maverick do
that. Unlikely but possible.

Re: 98 Accound burning oil
 

"Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:w36Yk.3839$5L3.2487@newsfe09.iad...
> Steve L wrote:

snipped

>>
>>
> Hi,
> Bought new? Replaced PCV? Checked compression on each cylinder?
> Blow down test is even better. Tried heavier oil?

Bought used about 5 years ago, it had 50K and was a one owner when we
bought it.

Haven't checked compression yet, but will this week.

PVC hasn't been replaced but will do that quickly.

Haven't tried heavier oil.

I have a good mechanic looking at it this week, it needs a full going
through. It hasn't been tuned up in at least 80K miles. I also noticed
the rear end sounded noisy and I wonder if a bearing isn't going in
one of the rear wheels, he had one fail a year or so back.

So I'll get the car checked out stem to stern and then let you guys
know about the oil mystery. I'm thinking it very well maybe the PVC as
to my knowledge that has never been replaced.

It has also lost a lot of paint on the hood and roof and trunk, so it
looks lousy too. I'm thinking to pimp it out and get it painted and
put some money in it, if I can fix this oil issue, because the
interior is excellent (grey leather) and the body is in good shape
except for the paint and it still rides well or seems to.

In Massachusetts where I live if you buy a new/used car you not only
have to pay sales tax, you have to pay excise tax each year and it is
expensive if you buy a newer car. It just makes sense to put some
money into a good car if you can get it to run reliably.