Civic burning oil

It will be burning the oil if there are no major leaks, worn rings and valve stem seals and valve guides are the normal problems, what grade of oil are you using and is it mineral or synthetic?

Mark (mhpautos)

I was wodering if my oil burning problem is likely to result in a failed emissions inspection (MA) eventually. The car needs clutch that will cost 50% of car's value. I'd like to drive until the wheels fall off but will get a new car ibefore clutch f inspection failure likely. The extent of the burning is I am down to almost nothing at 4k miles even with MaxLife oil.

If you are consuming oil most emission places will not even test the vehicle if there is blue smoke present from the exhaust.

Do you ever see blue smoke come out of your tailpipe? If you do, you probably will not pass. However, you could switch it up to a thicker oil grade so that you consume less oil. You may be able to pass the test that way depending on how severe the problem is.
A leak down test will let you know if the rings are bad

I recently bought a used Honda Civic. AFter only 2 or 3 weeks the engine light came on. This was for the cat converter. It turns out the cat converter is no good and needs replacing. The real problem though is the oil loss. It is losing 1 quart of oil every 400 miles or so. It is not leaking (any leaks were fixed during major service, and there are no oil stains where I park the car). The oil must be burning but there is no noticeable smoke. It appears that this oil loss is also what is ruining the cat converter. There appear to be major engine problems. COuld it be possible that the engine only burns the oil during freeway driving, hence it is not noticeable? Any thoughts on what could be wrong?

If il is burning, it's either passing by worn valve seals and guides, or the oil rings on the pistons, acceptable oil consumption for all engines believe it or not is 1 qt per 600-1000 miles of driving. Try using an oil stop smoke product and see if it helps...

I have a 2000 Civic Ex w/90,000 miles....recently she started burning oil pretty bad, I just didn't know how bad! I had to put 2 yes 2! quarts of Mobil 1 full synthetic in through a 700 mile period! what could be goin on? I took it to a dealer they say there are NO outside leaks! that it is just burning it! but there isn't a burning smell...the oil is just disappearing! 2 quarts in 700 miles, something is wrong!

Hi there,

i would get a compression test done to check the condition of the rings, get tis done and report back the wet & dry readings.

mark (mhpautos)

Hi,

I have a 99 civic coupe EX with a 99 Jdm GSR engine in it. I recently noticed that the car was running rich. The tail pipe was laced with black dust (inside).

So I suspected a bad O2 so I replaced it (the one on the header) and am thinking of getting the one on the catalytic converter done too.

But I have notice a significant drop in oil. From one day being full and 3-4 days later completely dry.

I just replaced the O2 2 days ago and the oil has not been dropping drastically so far during 2 days of both normal and aggressive driving.

I use Mobil 1 race oil. and premium gas either 91 or 94 octane. The gas mileage went down as well. Prob 300km-350km a tank.

Have been looking under the hood and under the car, no visible leaks at all. the engine does not overheat. The sparks plugs have a bit of white layered deposits with the ring laced with black carbon deposits but not on the grooves.

Can a bad O2 cause an engine to burn oil ??

My catalytic converter is prob done should I replace it?

No blue smoke so far.

Thanks in advance.

compression tests on all 4 cylinders were very close to 210 on all 4.

Probably won't answer your question but replacing the O2 and thinking about the cat and the other O2 without any verification they are bad seems awfully foolish. Throw your money my way instead. When was a tune-up performed and what did it entail? I found the oil use on the Honda's to be very perplexing. They use it sometimes and I would really like to know where it disappears to. However, I suspect that the heat is greater than you might think. Check out the timing of the vehicle.

I'll check the timing to see. I also replaced the pcv valve thought it might be plugged, it was only 7$ so replaced it just in case.

I'll definitely get a tune-up sometime soon. Thanks.


One more question: the last time I changed my oil, within a week the oil got dark, this can mean what usually?

i have a 1999 honda civic si. it had 150k miles and is starting to burn oil rapidly ( and i dont get into to vtec that much).. im using 5w30 castrol high mileage and was wondering if switching to 10w30 would help

It may help a little, i would first get a leak down test done to determine the condition of the bottom end of the engine, if you have the start of a low comp problem due to a ring problem, changing the oil will not be much of a help.

My 1996 Honda Civic LX with 117000 is using oil. I am now using 20W50 and it has slowed down to about 1 quart every 500 miles. What do you think the problem is? The car is not leaking any fluids. If I use lower weight oil the car sometimes smokes black when I first turn it on. Otherwise the car runs great, no loss of power or anything.

Thank you.

I would seriously check for leaks. What year and engine. I have had the same thing on a 95 civic D15B. I would check out a couple of things. First, you could check the compression of the cylinders, but I would pull a plug from each cylinder and see what they look like. If they are black and oily, your oil rings are wearing out. I rebuilt the engine to overcome that problem. It fixed it.

my car is using quite a bit of oil it is due for a new cambelt soon at 180000 should i get the engine reconditioned then ? thanx

Hi there,

If the engine is burning oil, then it may be a good time to look into having the engine re-coed, but do your home work first as this can be an expensive exercise.

mark (mhpautos)

it burns about a qaurt of oil a week it sounds like it has a vavle tick to it so could rebuilding the head stop it from burning oil

Do a compression test to figure out if the bottom end is the culprit or not. Typically with a vehicle of that age, you'll find that the whole engine needs to be rebuilt.

Ok well I did a compression test and all the cylinders had 120 psi

Hi! I just went through 2 quarts of 10W-40 in about 600 miles. Runs fine, but whoo! I could smell the burning. Is my engine dying? No other problems, sounds or smells. Thanks!

Where are you smelling the burning? Don't rule out that you could have a leak. Remember that it could be a leak that is dripping on to something hot such as the exhaust. It could be a filter, oil pan, seal, valve cover, etc. Take a close look under the hood.

Thanks Bruce! Will do...it started so suddenly that I assumed the worst! Thanks!

my honda civic is burning oil like crazy i have to top it up every 2-3 week whats is the problem

Hi kelvinking,

With the age and mileage of the engine, worn valve seals should contribute at least 60 % of the oil consumption.

The balance would be due to worn piston rings and external oils seals such as camshaft, flywheel, crankshaft seals and gaskets.

My car history: 2yrs ago my timing belt breaks, unfortunately I continue cranked the ignition. So the valves breaks even the valve seat and valve guide. Then I replace them all. After 3months my pulley loose control and it breaks together with the crankshaft. then I replace new assembly crankshaft without knowing that I have to reset the whole engine block and replace the conrod bearing, unfortunately after 2months the crankshaft breaks in to 2 piece. and it started from the beginning I replace again the valves, valve seat and guide so as the crankshaft and together with the conrod bearing. And after 6months I discover my exhaust turn to be a white smoke comes out and the engine oil burns, I always have to pour oil 1/4 in every 2-4days sometimes a week (depend on my travel) and i discover blow by at the upper, the oil cap. I had this compression test and the 4cylinders both tested 100-110lbs. What shall I do and What will happen in the long run? it seems the my car still run in good condition.

Hi Aldrich,

The low compression and high blowby pressure indiacates worn piston rings. The grey smoke indicates worn oil rings and possibly valve stem seals.

To rectify, you would need to rebuild the engine.

You can continue to drive the car unitl it fails due to fatigue.

Thank you for the idea you shared.

You're welcomed. Glad to be of help.

Another problem of my civic is the aircon. The thermostat will not trip off and my aircon system cannot sustain the during hot day weather, like during past 12noon. Is it need cleaning only?

The car is burning some oil but it has no symptoms (blue exaust) or anything. I was curious:
1. Is there a type of oil that burns more slowly than others?
2. What are the most likely causes of a car burning oil?
Thanks

[quote:f0740acc5c="dukeslowride"]I have a 1992 honda civic vx 102k miles 1.5L vtec engine. The car is burning some oil but it has no symptoms (blue exaust) or anything. I was curious:
1. Is there a type of oil that burns more slowly than others?
2. What are the most likely causes of a car burning oil?
Thanks[/quote:f0740acc5c]

Bad valve seals,valve stems/valve guides-leakage thru the rings/ worned cylinder walls or pistons

Today my car started doing these weird things. It first started sputtering from the muffler and blowing out black smoke. I put a quart of oil in it at 1:30 pm and had to do the same thing again at 9pm. It is a 1992 honda civic with 190,000 miles. tonight it started back up with the sputtering but also almost overheated on me. My radiater was bubbling like crazy but has no leak or hole. What is my problem and how much do you think it will cost to get it fixed? I was told that oil could be backling up into my cadilienc converter(however you spell it).

Pull out a couple of plugs and look at them. If they are oilly on the tips, not the sides but in the area of the electrode you may have a broken oil ring or something that is causing the oil to get into the cylinders. The overheating is most likely related. Is the level of the coolant dropping as well. My observation would be that if there is oilly deposits on the plugs and you could perform a compression check, but I would opt for a new engine.

When I open the oil cap or take out the dip stick when the car is hot, there is smoke that comes out. Is this a sign that my oil is burning??

A better sign is blue smoke from tailpipe. PCV could be plugged, or the baffle tube if no PCV!

Are you saying the PCV could be plugged if there is blue smoke coming out?
I do not have any blue smoke coming out. All I have is smoking when I open the oil cap.
So do you still think the PCV could be the issue?
I appreciate your response.
Thanks

No If ANY smoke comes from the filler tube the PCV is or could be plugged up. If blue smoke comes from your tailpipe, you have an engine that burns oil...

The car is burning some oil. I was curious, is there a type of oil that burns more slowly than others?

Not really but I might suggest going to a bit heavier weight of oil or look at walmart at the additives they have for reducing oil consumption.

I'm looking to purchase an early '90s Honda Civic and the issue of burning engine oil always comes up. What exactly is the problem when an engine is burning more oil that usual, is it serious, and why habitually in hondas?