I have a honda with a lot of miles, actually 221,000 miles on it and it is losing oil, since there is no place it is leaking it is safe to assume I am burning oil slowly. I am losing a quart about every 500-1000 miles. Some people may say that isn't much, but that is a lot for a honda. Anyways I want to know if I should use 20w50 oil or not. It is pretty darn thick. But I tried 10w30 and still had leaks. I should have probably tried 15w-40 or something like that. I have heard about thick oil is harder to circulate and can cause damage. Right now I have about 2 1/2 quarts of 10w-30 and one quart 20w-50. The car feels like it is running smoother. But I don't know if I should completely change the oil to 20w-50. And no there is no compatibility problems between the two oil I have used. I check everyday for the foaming oil signs. Also I have no smoke coming out of the exhaust, so my best guess it that it is a consistent leak. Any help needed, mostly about oil weights. :)
2007-12-06 07:01:52 · 10 answers · asked by max k 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Also my climate is warm southern california.
2007-12-06 07:18:56 · update #1
The best oil is the recommended weight by owner's manual. You are right about the weight. The oil has to be thin enough to flow in the engine to cool, clean and lubricate and thick enough to cushion the bearings and to seal the engine also.
Your engine is shot and needs a rebuild. How old is this car? If is a Honda with the CVCC engine (if is that old) expect some oil consumption. I had a Prelude that used a Qt every 1000miles and was normal for it.
2007-12-07 00:46:58 · answer #1 · answered by spammer 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The theory behind a multi-viscosity oil is to work off of temperature. You need a lower number in the winter when it is cold and a higher number in the summer when it is hot. According to how hot your summer is, I don`t see a problem with a 20\40 or a 20\50 blend if it slows your oil consumption. You can also go to a straight 30, 40 or 50 weight oil that matches your climate.
2007-12-06 07:16:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
To see if you are really burning oil, take your index finger and rub it around the inside of your exhaust pipe. Oil that is burning will recondense on the inside of the exhaust pipes. If it fells wet, that is oil. If it feels dry black or gray, then it's probably normal engine vapor. Check to see if your valves are adjusted correctly. There should be a label under the hood to tell you. Make sure that your PCV system is showroom clean, because this alone can cause oil burning. Another thing that causes oil burning is if your engine is running too rich (using too much fuel to air ratio) Any unburnt extra fuel will be forced into your oil supply, passed the rings, causing your oil to thin out and to prematurely burn. In other words, make sure that your fuel infection system is working to it's full potential and not getting bad readings from sensors.Changing the oil viscosity is not a good idea. Try using Mobil One 0W-40, which will clean and protect at all temperatures. You must unmask he cause of the burning. It is possible that your oil control seals around the valves have worn requiring a total valve job. Before you go through all that agony, go to a Mercury boat store and buy a product called "Power Tune" . Remove your valve cover and clean all muck you find on the inside of the cover with oven cleaner spray. Spray the "Power Tune" on all exposed valve parts. With any luck, this spray will remove any junk that bad oil deposits have made on your valve oil control seals and restore them to like new condition. Use the rest of the Tune spray to clean all surfaces in the head area, allowing it to drain back into the crankcase, if necessary. If things are totally mucky, drive the car for two days before you change the oil. Install a set of Bosch Platinum plugs for maximum useage of fuel and to improve performance. Chances are a good de-sludging like this will eliminate your problem. Good Luck.
2007-12-06 07:33:27 · answer #3 · answered by Robert M 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
on your next oil change use havoline 10-30 and see if that does not slow the oil usage down some. yes you can use 20-50 but if it uses oil with 10-30 it will use 20-50. try the havoline 10-30 first. bigj
2007-12-06 07:17:59 · answer #4 · answered by Jerry 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
your piston rings are probably shot....or maybe your valves are bad or both...thats a ton of miles...you gotta get it checked out! as for the oil...you never should go more than 10w over the suggested manufacturer standard...because then your engine must have a major problem
2007-12-06 07:05:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
A higher viscosity oil may help temporarily, but it's really time to rebuild your engine.
I know a lot of Honda's that this happens to. They apparently have soft cylinder walls or rings.
cheers.
2007-12-06 07:13:58 · answer #6 · answered by Perplexed 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Are you sure it isn't leaking? Put a clean piece of cardboard or something under it after you take a nice long ride and get it heated up.
If it isn't leaking, then it must be burning it - it might be time for rings. Possibly clean the valves.
2007-12-06 07:10:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
try stop leak for oil leaks or a seal conditioner. the only other suggestion is have all the seals replaced.
2007-12-06 07:07:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
blown head gasket or worn piston rings
2007-12-06 09:19:19 · answer #9 · answered by 1999 Nissan Skyline GTR Vspec 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
get a v6
2007-12-06 07:04:45 · answer #10 · answered by nathan a 1 · 0⤊ 6⤋