When the oil light comes on...

We may earn a small commission from affiliate links and paid advertisements. Terms

f22b1 coupe

Junior Member
So I helped my friend pick out a Honda after many bad experiences with American cars, and I found him a 94 Accord with 160K on it. I did all the maintenance that had been neglected, especially the timing belt and water pump, and then changed the oil. I told him very clearly to check his oil at least once a week since we didn't know anything about the car and it could possibly be a burner.

Well lo and behold he calls me tonight and tells me his "add oil light" (WHAT A GODDAMN IDIOT) came on. <--- Sorry I have almost no tolerance for people that can't keep fucking oil in their car. Anyway, my question is, its been about a month and it was already over 2 quarts low. Could an engine use that much oil internally past the valves without it being noticeable from the exhaust?

And the real impending question, if the engine was fine before this, could it be shot now? Well, not shot, but could enough damage be done by the time it is 2-3 quarts low that the engine will be a burner forever? I'm under the impression that he immediately parked the car and added some.
I used full synthetic Mobil 1 5W-30 fir what it's worth, I don't know if synthetic is able to better protect the engine in starvation conditions. Anyone know if the oil pressure light coming on is a sure sign that your valve seals are history?
 
My light has been on twice ever. Both related to a faulty filter relocation kit. I would think it's definitely burning oil but check for leaks. Park it on some clean pavement and check to see if it leaks.
 
it's common for honda motors to eat a quart a month. i wouldn't worry about it. just fill it and check it more often. the thing only holds 3+ quarts, so if your 2-3 low, you're hurting things. check it every time you get gas.
 
My light has been on twice ever. Both related to a faulty filter relocation kit. I would think it's definitely burning oil but check for leaks. Park it on some clean pavement and check to see if it leaks.

Initially we had problems with it leaking but I could not quite narrow it down. I did all the seals behind the timing while I was in there, so I know it's none of them. Then I had the valve cover off obviously, and it was still nice and soft, so I just used Hondabond in the corners and torqued it back on. I also initially used one oil filter that seemed to be allowing the drip (Mobil 1) then replaced it with a Fram which I thought cured the issue. I also used a new drain plug washer gasket. So it is possible it is still dripping down off the back of the block, but for the life of me I could not figure out from where. Has anyone had a Honda oil pressure sensor seal leak? It's coming from that area or the oil filter area it seems. I'll do the pan gasket next just to be sure.
 
I would seal the whole valve cover gasket. I lost about a quart in about a month after I didn't do the whole thing. Not sure what motor it has, but I also lost a bit past the cam seal when it went. I replaced it and siliconed the whole VC gasket and I don't leak at all.

I realize it's not the same motor but I have nearly the same mileage on it (~150K).
 
its coming from where the oil filter threads on...if you pull the oil filter off there will be a nut..i think its a 23mm..unthread it and there will be a "sleeve" that you can pull off the back of the block..theres an oring in there..they are $8 from honda..clean the piss out of the surface replace the gasket,put the "sleev back on.then tighten the hell out of the nut..then put a new oil filter on..
 
its unlikely that any real damage was done. the light comes on when you lose oil pressure, so until the point that it came on everything was lubricated.

it sounds like a combination of leaking some and burning some (that synthetic might burn quicker than conventional)
 
If maintanence wasnt kept up on then Im willing to bet that when the last owner did change the oil, they used the cheapest shit on the shelf. Which would be conventional. Which would also explain why it used soo much synthetic.
 
Back
Top