My standard transmission Civic EX started using oil about two years ago, at about 148,000 miles. The car now has 156,000 miles. The engine uses about a quart of oil for every 500 or 600 miles of driving. As a result, I've stopped driving the car on trips of more than about 100 miles from home, due to the uncertainty and unreliability of the engine performance. [I know I can call a friend to pick me up if the car fails within a 100 miles from home.]
My mechanic and I have been working on identifying the problem. Oil isn't leaking from the engine block, and there is no smoke from the exhaust. We've tried Lucas oil (no impact). A tracer test in the oil confirms that no oil is going out the exhaust. The camshaft seals, and other seals have been replaced. No impact on excessive oil use. It appears that no rebuilt engine companies deal in this model VTEC engine. The thought now is that the engine needs to be pulled, rebored, and new rings installed (estimates of about $5K - $6K for the work, and car out of service for at least a week or 10 days at best).
Other than the engine, I've taken immaculate car of the car and everything is in excellent condition (other than the engine). This is my second Honda, and I expected to have the car well into the 200K+ mileage range. Having to rent a car for out-of-town trips is expensive and limiting. I'm very disappointed with this Honda engine situation, and would appreciate insights from anyone else who has had any similar problems and the strategies to fix the situation. If Honda has any solutions, I'd be very interested in knowing about them.
Update from Mar 16, 2015: In addition to the excessive oil consumption problem (which my mechanic never did find the source of), the car developed a head gasket leak at 163,000 miles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My standard transmission Civic EX started using oil about two years ago, at about 148,000 miles. The car now has 156,000 miles. The engine uses about a quart of oil for every 500 or 600 miles of driving. As a result, I've stopped driving the car on trips of more than about 100 miles from home, due to the uncertainty and unreliability of the engine performance. [I know I can call a friend to pick me up if the car fails within a 100 miles from home.]
My mechanic and I have been working on identifying the problem. Oil isn't leaking from the engine block, and there is no smoke from the exhaust. We've tried Lucas oil (no impact). A tracer test in the oil confirms that no oil is going out the exhaust. The camshaft seals, and other seals have been replaced. No impact on excessive oil use. It appears that no rebuilt engine companies deal in this model VTEC engine. The thought now is that the engine needs to be pulled, rebored, and new rings installed (estimates of about $5K - $6K for the work, and car out of service for at least a week or 10 days at best).
Other than the engine, I've taken immaculate car of the car and everything is in excellent condition (other than the engine). This is my second Honda, and I expected to have the car well into the 200K+ mileage range. Having to rent a car for out-of-town trips is expensive and limiting. I'm very disappointed with this Honda engine situation, and would appreciate insights from anyone else who has had any similar problems and the strategies to fix the situation. If Honda has any solutions, I'd be very interested in knowing about them.
Update from Mar 16, 2015: In addition to the excessive oil consumption problem (which my mechanic never did find the source of), the car developed a head gasket leak at 163,000 miles.
- Gm N., Columbia, MO, US