AutoXer

Hey all. I know there's been a ton of threads on oil consumption on these cars with the 4 cyl. engines, but this is a bit different.

A co-worker was having oil consumption problems on his 4 cyl 5 sp coupe that was still under warranty. He had it into the dealer 4 times while they monitored it. They were unfamiliar with this issue (as it has been stated many times, it's not on many cars and there is no TSB.) The service tech on one of these visits said it might need a software update, which made no sense to me.

The dealer ended up confirmed it was consuming too much oil and called HOA on the issue. The tech was surprised that Honda knew about the problem and gave him the fix right off the bat. He picked the car up and was told the pistons were replaced and a software update was applied.

Now, I found a fantastic thread on here and another forum about the oil control rings being installed improperly (wish I could give credit, I didn't save the links.) So, I'm assuming the pistons were replaced as an assembly due to that, instead of just replacing the rings (unless someone has a different theory.) But what would a software update have anything to due with oil consumption? I'm pretty sure it doesn't, so I'm just curious why they'd bother doing it.

Any insight you guys have would be great, because it's been bothering me. Most with this condition have been out of warranty, so I couldn't find any information about a dealer fix.

DeanHondaPGH

SB 11-049

Applies To: 2008–11 Accord L4 with A/T – Check the iN VIN status for eligibility
2008–10 Accord L4 with M/T – Check the iN VIN status for eligibility
2010 CR-V – Check the iN VIN status for eligibility
Product Update: Software Update to Improve Fuel Injector and VTC Timing

BACKGROUNDThe fuel injector timing and VTC timing at cold start
may create deposits on the oil control rings that could
contribute to increased oil consumption.

SOFTWARE INFORMATIONHDS Software Version:
3.001.009 or later
HDS Control Module (CM) Update:
Database Update 27-JUL-2011 or later
NOTE: To avoid an incorrect repair that would not be
covered under warranty, use the software version listed
above or a later version.
If the HDS or MVCI is loaded with the latest software,
and it displays No Update Needed during the update,
the software for this service bulletin is already installed.
The updated PGM-FI software program IDs and P/Ns
will be added at a later date.

AutoXer

I'll be d@mned... Never would have guessed. Thanks so much for the info, awesome post!

tomjtx

Thanks for this info

tomjtx

Will do the update ASAP

johnsc2235

That won't help

NightHawk92

Can't Wait tell I buy a MVCI with the HDS.. but yea its odd they think a software update would fix that. But I guess it would since it does something with the Fuel Injectors.

tech8

The real fix is to replace the piston rings.

meadows

I added oil to my 2008 honda crv and it's still saying 15 life

meadows

meadows

meadows

what should I DO ABOUT MY 15% LIFE AFTER i ADDED OIL

meadows

tech8

The Maintenance Minder indicates "calculated" engine oil life. The oil life is calculated based on engine operating conditions, etc.; it does not actually analyze the oil quality or the level. You still have to manually check oil levels regularly.

If you changed the engine oil, you can reset it yourself with the select/reset ****. Instructions are in the owner's manual.

You probably should get your engine oil changed and then reset it.

tech8

I hope you didn't overfill your engine oil. It is not an oil level indicator; so, it doesn't mean you only have 15% oil volume.

The 15% is estimated remaining oil life. But, you should get the oil change when it shows 15%.

vintagevirginia

Does the indicator know if you used synthetic oil?

tech8

No.