Oil level weirdness
 

I have an ongoing oil consumption problem in my 99 Accord (4 cyl). The
car has 88k miles.

Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about an hour (on
a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
This morning I checked it again (the car was parked overnight, so the
engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at the full mark,
about 90% full. How is this possible???


There are no drip or leak marks under the engine or in the engine bay,
last oil change dealer could not locate any leaks (oil pan seals, etc),
so they asked me to start recording oil levels when I fill up gas.

Any explanations for such fluctuation?

Re: Oil level weirdness
 

This unfortunately is a symptom of a rupture in the engine
block/head cooling system such that it's getting into the
oil system. For example, a head gasket leak.

Check
-- the appearance of the coolant in the radiator, via the
radiator cap, in a cold engine. Same for the coolant
reservoir. If oil is present, it's looking like a head
gasket or similar leak.
-- the appearance of coolant in the oil system. Look into
the filler cap hole and check the dipstick. Look for foreign
residue on the filler cap (white?)
-- Does the car's exhaust smell like anti-freeze at all?
-- Look for foreign residue (white?) on the spark plugs.
-- Is the car overheating at all.

I would not drive the car further until this is resolved. Or
certainly do not let it overheat. This will worsen the
problem and make it more expensive to fix.

"Pauly" <paul.jonaitis@gmail.com> wrote
>I have an ongoing oil consumption problem in my 99 Accord
>(4 cyl). The
> car has 88k miles.
>
> Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about
> an hour (on
> a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
> This morning I checked it again (the car was parked
> overnight, so the
> engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at
> the full mark,
> about 90% full. How is this possible???
>
>
> There are no drip or leak marks under the engine or in the
> engine bay,
> last oil change dealer could not locate any leaks (oil pan
> seals, etc),
> so they asked me to start recording oil levels when I fill
> up gas.
>
> Any explanations for such fluctuation?
>

Re: Oil level weirdness
 

This unfortunately is a symptom of a rupture in the engine
block/head cooling system such that it's getting into the
oil system. For example, a head gasket leak.

Check
-- the appearance of the coolant in the radiator, via the
radiator cap, in a cold engine. Same for the coolant
reservoir. If oil is present, it's looking like a head
gasket or similar leak.
-- the appearance of coolant in the oil system. Look into
the filler cap hole and check the dipstick. Look for foreign
residue on the filler cap (white?)
-- Does the car's exhaust smell like anti-freeze at all?
-- Look for foreign residue (white?) on the spark plugs.
-- Is the car overheating at all.

I would not drive the car further until this is resolved. Or
certainly do not let it overheat. This will worsen the
problem and make it more expensive to fix.

"Pauly" <paul.jonaitis@gmail.com> wrote
>I have an ongoing oil consumption problem in my 99 Accord
>(4 cyl). The
> car has 88k miles.
>
> Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about
> an hour (on
> a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
> This morning I checked it again (the car was parked
> overnight, so the
> engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at
> the full mark,
> about 90% full. How is this possible???
>
>
> There are no drip or leak marks under the engine or in the
> engine bay,
> last oil change dealer could not locate any leaks (oil pan
> seals, etc),
> so they asked me to start recording oil levels when I fill
> up gas.
>
> Any explanations for such fluctuation?
>

Re: Oil level weirdness
 

This unfortunately is a symptom of a rupture in the engine
block/head cooling system such that it's getting into the
oil system. For example, a head gasket leak.

Check
-- the appearance of the coolant in the radiator, via the
radiator cap, in a cold engine. Same for the coolant
reservoir. If oil is present, it's looking like a head
gasket or similar leak.
-- the appearance of coolant in the oil system. Look into
the filler cap hole and check the dipstick. Look for foreign
residue on the filler cap (white?)
-- Does the car's exhaust smell like anti-freeze at all?
-- Look for foreign residue (white?) on the spark plugs.
-- Is the car overheating at all.

I would not drive the car further until this is resolved. Or
certainly do not let it overheat. This will worsen the
problem and make it more expensive to fix.

"Pauly" <paul.jonaitis@gmail.com> wrote
>I have an ongoing oil consumption problem in my 99 Accord
>(4 cyl). The
> car has 88k miles.
>
> Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about
> an hour (on
> a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
> This morning I checked it again (the car was parked
> overnight, so the
> engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at
> the full mark,
> about 90% full. How is this possible???
>
>
> There are no drip or leak marks under the engine or in the
> engine bay,
> last oil change dealer could not locate any leaks (oil pan
> seals, etc),
> so they asked me to start recording oil levels when I fill
> up gas.
>
> Any explanations for such fluctuation?
>

Re: Oil level weirdness
 

This unfortunately is a symptom of a rupture in the engine
block/head cooling system such that it's getting into the
oil system. For example, a head gasket leak.

Check
-- the appearance of the coolant in the radiator, via the
radiator cap, in a cold engine. Same for the coolant
reservoir. If oil is present, it's looking like a head
gasket or similar leak.
-- the appearance of coolant in the oil system. Look into
the filler cap hole and check the dipstick. Look for foreign
residue on the filler cap (white?)
-- Does the car's exhaust smell like anti-freeze at all?
-- Look for foreign residue (white?) on the spark plugs.
-- Is the car overheating at all.

I would not drive the car further until this is resolved. Or
certainly do not let it overheat. This will worsen the
problem and make it more expensive to fix.

"Pauly" <paul.jonaitis@gmail.com> wrote
>I have an ongoing oil consumption problem in my 99 Accord
>(4 cyl). The
> car has 88k miles.
>
> Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about
> an hour (on
> a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
> This morning I checked it again (the car was parked
> overnight, so the
> engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at
> the full mark,
> about 90% full. How is this possible???
>
>
> There are no drip or leak marks under the engine or in the
> engine bay,
> last oil change dealer could not locate any leaks (oil pan
> seals, etc),
> so they asked me to start recording oil levels when I fill
> up gas.
>
> Any explanations for such fluctuation?
>

Re: Oil level weirdness
 

I am aware of the possiblity that coolant and oil could be mixing if
there is a crack in the engine block. All those checks are negative,
engine temperature is always good. I plan to check with Honda
dealership tomorrow.

Elle wrote:
> This unfortunately is a symptom of a rupture in the engine
> block/head cooling system such that it's getting into the
> oil system. For example, a head gasket leak.
>
> Check
> -- the appearance of the coolant in the radiator, via the
> radiator cap, in a cold engine. Same for the coolant
> reservoir. If oil is present, it's looking like a head
> gasket or similar leak.
> -- the appearance of coolant in the oil system. Look into
> the filler cap hole and check the dipstick. Look for foreign
> residue on the filler cap (white?)
> -- Does the car's exhaust smell like anti-freeze at all?
> -- Look for foreign residue (white?) on the spark plugs.
> -- Is the car overheating at all.
>
> I would not drive the car further until this is resolved. Or
> certainly do not let it overheat. This will worsen the
> problem and make it more expensive to fix.
>
> "Pauly" <paul.jonaitis@gmail.com> wrote
> >I have an ongoing oil consumption problem in my 99 Accord
> >(4 cyl). The
> > car has 88k miles.
> >
> > Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about
> > an hour (on
> > a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
> > This morning I checked it again (the car was parked
> > overnight, so the
> > engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at
> > the full mark,
> > about 90% full. How is this possible???
> >
> >
> > There are no drip or leak marks under the engine or in the
> > engine bay,
> > last oil change dealer could not locate any leaks (oil pan
> > seals, etc),
> > so they asked me to start recording oil levels when I fill
> > up gas.
> >
> > Any explanations for such fluctuation?
> >

Re: Oil level weirdness
 

I am aware of the possiblity that coolant and oil could be mixing if
there is a crack in the engine block. All those checks are negative,
engine temperature is always good. I plan to check with Honda
dealership tomorrow.

Elle wrote:
> This unfortunately is a symptom of a rupture in the engine
> block/head cooling system such that it's getting into the
> oil system. For example, a head gasket leak.
>
> Check
> -- the appearance of the coolant in the radiator, via the
> radiator cap, in a cold engine. Same for the coolant
> reservoir. If oil is present, it's looking like a head
> gasket or similar leak.
> -- the appearance of coolant in the oil system. Look into
> the filler cap hole and check the dipstick. Look for foreign
> residue on the filler cap (white?)
> -- Does the car's exhaust smell like anti-freeze at all?
> -- Look for foreign residue (white?) on the spark plugs.
> -- Is the car overheating at all.
>
> I would not drive the car further until this is resolved. Or
> certainly do not let it overheat. This will worsen the
> problem and make it more expensive to fix.
>
> "Pauly" <paul.jonaitis@gmail.com> wrote
> >I have an ongoing oil consumption problem in my 99 Accord
> >(4 cyl). The
> > car has 88k miles.
> >
> > Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about
> > an hour (on
> > a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
> > This morning I checked it again (the car was parked
> > overnight, so the
> > engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at
> > the full mark,
> > about 90% full. How is this possible???
> >
> >
> > There are no drip or leak marks under the engine or in the
> > engine bay,
> > last oil change dealer could not locate any leaks (oil pan
> > seals, etc),
> > so they asked me to start recording oil levels when I fill
> > up gas.
> >
> > Any explanations for such fluctuation?
> >

Re: Oil level weirdness
 

I am aware of the possiblity that coolant and oil could be mixing if
there is a crack in the engine block. All those checks are negative,
engine temperature is always good. I plan to check with Honda
dealership tomorrow.

Elle wrote:
> This unfortunately is a symptom of a rupture in the engine
> block/head cooling system such that it's getting into the
> oil system. For example, a head gasket leak.
>
> Check
> -- the appearance of the coolant in the radiator, via the
> radiator cap, in a cold engine. Same for the coolant
> reservoir. If oil is present, it's looking like a head
> gasket or similar leak.
> -- the appearance of coolant in the oil system. Look into
> the filler cap hole and check the dipstick. Look for foreign
> residue on the filler cap (white?)
> -- Does the car's exhaust smell like anti-freeze at all?
> -- Look for foreign residue (white?) on the spark plugs.
> -- Is the car overheating at all.
>
> I would not drive the car further until this is resolved. Or
> certainly do not let it overheat. This will worsen the
> problem and make it more expensive to fix.
>
> "Pauly" <paul.jonaitis@gmail.com> wrote
> >I have an ongoing oil consumption problem in my 99 Accord
> >(4 cyl). The
> > car has 88k miles.
> >
> > Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about
> > an hour (on
> > a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
> > This morning I checked it again (the car was parked
> > overnight, so the
> > engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at
> > the full mark,
> > about 90% full. How is this possible???
> >
> >
> > There are no drip or leak marks under the engine or in the
> > engine bay,
> > last oil change dealer could not locate any leaks (oil pan
> > seals, etc),
> > so they asked me to start recording oil levels when I fill
> > up gas.
> >
> > Any explanations for such fluctuation?
> >

Re: Oil level weirdness
 

I am aware of the possiblity that coolant and oil could be mixing if
there is a crack in the engine block. All those checks are negative,
engine temperature is always good. I plan to check with Honda
dealership tomorrow.

Elle wrote:
> This unfortunately is a symptom of a rupture in the engine
> block/head cooling system such that it's getting into the
> oil system. For example, a head gasket leak.
>
> Check
> -- the appearance of the coolant in the radiator, via the
> radiator cap, in a cold engine. Same for the coolant
> reservoir. If oil is present, it's looking like a head
> gasket or similar leak.
> -- the appearance of coolant in the oil system. Look into
> the filler cap hole and check the dipstick. Look for foreign
> residue on the filler cap (white?)
> -- Does the car's exhaust smell like anti-freeze at all?
> -- Look for foreign residue (white?) on the spark plugs.
> -- Is the car overheating at all.
>
> I would not drive the car further until this is resolved. Or
> certainly do not let it overheat. This will worsen the
> problem and make it more expensive to fix.
>
> "Pauly" <paul.jonaitis@gmail.com> wrote
> >I have an ongoing oil consumption problem in my 99 Accord
> >(4 cyl). The
> > car has 88k miles.
> >
> > Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about
> > an hour (on
> > a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
> > This morning I checked it again (the car was parked
> > overnight, so the
> > engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at
> > the full mark,
> > about 90% full. How is this possible???
> >
> >
> > There are no drip or leak marks under the engine or in the
> > engine bay,
> > last oil change dealer could not locate any leaks (oil pan
> > seals, etc),
> > so they asked me to start recording oil levels when I fill
> > up gas.
> >
> > Any explanations for such fluctuation?
> >

Re: Oil level weirdness
 

On 4 Jul 2006 06:51:08 -0700, "Pauly" <paul.jonaitis@gmail.com> wrote:

>I have an ongoing oil consumption problem in my 99 Accord (4 cyl). The
>car has 88k miles.
>
>Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about an hour (on
>a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
>This morning I checked it again (the car was parked overnight, so the
>engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at the full mark,
>about 90% full. How is this possible???
>
>
>There are no drip or leak marks under the engine or in the engine bay,
>last oil change dealer could not locate any leaks (oil pan seals, etc),
>so they asked me to start recording oil levels when I fill up gas.
>
>Any explanations for such fluctuation?

I have occasionally seen weird behavior like this on my GS-R. It
isn't losing coolant, just takes a long time to get an accurate read
on the dip stick.

Verify you aren't losing coolant. If not, just make a point of
checking the oil only after the car has been sitting for a long time.
I assume the car is always on level ground when you check it.

Re: Oil level weirdness
 

On 4 Jul 2006 06:51:08 -0700, "Pauly" <paul.jonaitis@gmail.com> wrote:

>I have an ongoing oil consumption problem in my 99 Accord (4 cyl). The
>car has 88k miles.
>
>Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about an hour (on
>a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
>This morning I checked it again (the car was parked overnight, so the
>engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at the full mark,
>about 90% full. How is this possible???
>
>
>There are no drip or leak marks under the engine or in the engine bay,
>last oil change dealer could not locate any leaks (oil pan seals, etc),
>so they asked me to start recording oil levels when I fill up gas.
>
>Any explanations for such fluctuation?

I have occasionally seen weird behavior like this on my GS-R. It
isn't losing coolant, just takes a long time to get an accurate read
on the dip stick.

Verify you aren't losing coolant. If not, just make a point of
checking the oil only after the car has been sitting for a long time.
I assume the car is always on level ground when you check it.

Re: Oil level weirdness
 

On 4 Jul 2006 06:51:08 -0700, "Pauly" <paul.jonaitis@gmail.com> wrote:

>I have an ongoing oil consumption problem in my 99 Accord (4 cyl). The
>car has 88k miles.
>
>Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about an hour (on
>a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
>This morning I checked it again (the car was parked overnight, so the
>engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at the full mark,
>about 90% full. How is this possible???
>
>
>There are no drip or leak marks under the engine or in the engine bay,
>last oil change dealer could not locate any leaks (oil pan seals, etc),
>so they asked me to start recording oil levels when I fill up gas.
>
>Any explanations for such fluctuation?

I have occasionally seen weird behavior like this on my GS-R. It
isn't losing coolant, just takes a long time to get an accurate read
on the dip stick.

Verify you aren't losing coolant. If not, just make a point of
checking the oil only after the car has been sitting for a long time.
I assume the car is always on level ground when you check it.

Re: Oil level weirdness
 

On 4 Jul 2006 06:51:08 -0700, "Pauly" <paul.jonaitis@gmail.com> wrote:

>I have an ongoing oil consumption problem in my 99 Accord (4 cyl). The
>car has 88k miles.
>
>Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about an hour (on
>a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
>This morning I checked it again (the car was parked overnight, so the
>engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at the full mark,
>about 90% full. How is this possible???
>
>
>There are no drip or leak marks under the engine or in the engine bay,
>last oil change dealer could not locate any leaks (oil pan seals, etc),
>so they asked me to start recording oil levels when I fill up gas.
>
>Any explanations for such fluctuation?

I have occasionally seen weird behavior like this on my GS-R. It
isn't losing coolant, just takes a long time to get an accurate read
on the dip stick.

Verify you aren't losing coolant. If not, just make a point of
checking the oil only after the car has been sitting for a long time.
I assume the car is always on level ground when you check it.

Re: Oil level weirdness
 

On 4 Jul 2006 06:51:08 -0700, "Pauly" <paul.jonaitis@gmail.com> wrote:

>Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about an hour (on
>a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
>This morning I checked it again (the car was parked overnight, so the
>engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at the full mark,
>about 90% full. How is this possible???

You have already checked for the important problems, oil in the
coolant and coolant in the oil.

Please do not take offense at the following suggestion. I know you are
smart and probably would not make such a mistake. But you never know.
It could be something as simple as not pushing the dip stick all the
way in. I know this is possible because I have done it myself. The
rubber seal around the top of the dip stick is pretty sturdy, so it is
possible to think it has seated when it hasn't.


Elliot Richmond
Itinerant astronomy teacher

Re: Oil level weirdness
 

On 4 Jul 2006 06:51:08 -0700, "Pauly" <paul.jonaitis@gmail.com> wrote:

>Yesterday I checked oil after the car was parked for about an hour (on
>a very hot day) and the level was below the lower mark.
>This morning I checked it again (the car was parked overnight, so the
>engine was completely cold) and the level was almost at the full mark,
>about 90% full. How is this possible???

You have already checked for the important problems, oil in the
coolant and coolant in the oil.

Please do not take offense at the following suggestion. I know you are
smart and probably would not make such a mistake. But you never know.
It could be something as simple as not pushing the dip stick all the
way in. I know this is possible because I have done it myself. The
rubber seal around the top of the dip stick is pretty sturdy, so it is
possible to think it has seated when it hasn't.


Elliot Richmond
Itinerant astronomy teacher