Hi guys! I have a 2001 SE with a 5 speed, all stock with the exception of a Cold Air Intake. I has never been rebuilt or had any mechanical work done on it. I have 3 serious problems with it and its time I address them.

1) It burns oil like crazy. I can smell the burn when I get out of the car most of the time. I vtec once or twice a week for 20 seconds. There are no leaks, no exhaust fumes, nothing like that. The engine looks clean, but it stinks after driving. I still have a year under the powertrain warranty, so I need to be pointed in the right direction so that I can get this fixed.

2) When the car has 1/3 or less gas left in the tank it becomes much harder to start. It cranks for a fairly long time before it starts. This is only when the gas level gets around 1/3 and lower. It starts perfectly and instantly every other time. I dont really know what can be causing this, I thought maybe the fuel pump is not priming fast enough and since there is less gas it is not getting to the engine as easy.

3) The car sometimes does not start on hot days. I have almost narrowed this down to a EFI main relay problem, but I am not certain. I turn the key and nothing happens, the lights all light up, but no craking and nothing form the engine.

These are 3 serious problems that I have lived with for 1 year and I need to get them fixed or my warranty will be up and I will have to pay for everything out of pocket. Please help me out guys. If you give me suggestions please include how to do it because I am not an expert and I just dont know.

THANK YOU!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vadrad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hi guys! I have a 2001 SE with a 5 speed, all stock with the exception of a Cold Air Intake. I has never been rebuilt or had any mechanical work done on it. I have 3 serious problems with it and its time I address them.

1) It burns oil like crazy. I can smell the burn when I get out of the car most of the time. I vtec once or twice a week for 20 seconds. There are no leaks, no exhaust fumes, nothing like that. The engine looks clean, but it stinks after driving. I still have a year under the powertrain warranty, so I need to be pointed in the right direction so that I can get this fixed.

I've heard that some people were able to get new short blocks because if this, but maybe thats not totally true. Check to see if there is a TSB about this

2) When the car has 1/3 or less gas left in the tank it becomes much harder to start. It cranks for a fairly long time before it starts. This is only when the gas level gets around 1/3 and lower. It starts perfectly and instantly every other time. I dont really know what can be causing this, I thought maybe the fuel pump is not priming fast enough and since there is less gas it is not getting to the engine as easy.

This happens on my car too. I pay it no mind honestly. Its only like a second longer right? May seem like forever though knowing that most of the oil is still in the pan


3) The car sometimes does not start on hot days. I have almost narrowed this down to a EFI main relay problem, but I am not certain. I turn the key and nothing happens, the lights all light up, but no craking and nothing form the engine.

When I've had to replace the main relay the car would crank but never fire. Or it would start then die within a second or two.

These are 3 serious problems that I have lived with for 1 year and I need to get them fixed or my warranty will be up and I will have to pay for everything out of pocket. Please help me out guys. If you give me suggestions please include how to do it because I am not an expert and I just dont know.

THANK YOU!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Try to get everything done under warranty, even if the ******** service writer doesn't want to cover everything you can call the regional honda center and complain, of course if its justified.

Anyway good luck..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vadrad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
1) It burns oil like crazy. I can smell the burn when I get out of the car most of the time. I vtec once or twice a week for 20 seconds. There are no leaks, no exhaust fumes, nothing like that. The engine looks clean, but it stinks after driving. I still have a year under the powertrain warranty, so I need to be pointed in the right direction so that I can get this fixed.</TD></TR></TABLE>
OK - burns oil like crazy... I'm guessing you mean that you're constantly putting oil in it, but it's not leaking it out anywhere. My guess? Rings. Either improperly seated, gapped, or worn. Does it run hot at all?
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vadrad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
2) When the car has 1/3 or less gas left in the tank it becomes much harder to start. It cranks for a fairly long time before it starts. This is only when the gas level gets around 1/3 and lower. It starts perfectly and instantly every other time. I dont really know what can be causing this, I thought maybe the fuel pump is not priming fast enough and since there is less gas it is not getting to the engine as easy.

3) The car sometimes does not start on hot days. I have almost narrowed this down to a EFI main relay problem, but I am not certain. I turn the key and nothing happens, the lights all light up, but no craking and nothing form the engine.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
When was the last time you replace the fuel filter? A clogged filter could cause all these probs. If it is the main relay, I hear they're pretty easy to resolder... but usually if that's going out, the fuel pump won't even kick on. Listen really close when you turn the key to 'on' the next time you get in the car. The fuel pump will make a hum or a buzz from the back of the car for about 2 seconds when you first kick it on. The next time it won't start on a hot day, listen for that hum -- if it's not there, it's probably your relay, but if it's there, look somewhere else. Main Relay's don't go 1/2 out.

 

In reply to the first question, the car runs in the normal temperature ranges. Another member mentioned that he had a similar problem and it was a broken o ring near the oil filter. He said that it would just run down the block and onto the exhaust pipes and burn up from the heat of the exhaust pipes. Regarding the second questions, I have not changed the fuel filter ever. I didnt think that it needed to be replaced at lower mileage.

 

1.Replace your fuel filter.
2.Jack your car up and go underneath of it, and you will probably see some type of abnormal oil leaking down. If you can smell it after you get out of your car, chances are it's not internal related, and it's being burned externally.
3.Although I've had an argument with other people about whether a full gas tank will help your fuel pressure, I believe that with a full tank of gas, the fuel pump will not need to work as hard to achieve the same fuel pressure. This being said, if your fuel pump is not priming well, and can't get the fuel pressure then that is probably why you are having a hard time starting your car. After replacing my stock fuel pump to an aftermarket pump, I don't notice power losses after the tank gets lower, and my car always fires after the first crank.

 

yeah - since it's under warranty, just take it into the service center and tell them your problems... it's free.

 

The problem with the honda dealer is that they start saying that I have to pay for the initial diagnostic. If they dont find any problems then I am out 50 bucks otherwise I think they pay for everything. I am outside my 100% coverage so some things arent covered any more.

 

that sucks -- but it's kinda good - when I took my car into the dealer for a diagnostic it was $445 and they didn't f*ing figure out what the problem was.
******.

 

if you do look under the car and there is a leak at the back of the engine it could also be your cam seal.

i also had the same problem and could work out were the oil was going and because it goes down the back of the engine you can't see it.

check your cam seal

 

bad rings burn oil, do compression test.
car does not start when hot is because ignition key bad, honda recalled on switch and interlock. replace them at honda dealer for free.

 

Hi guys, I still need some more help. I took the car in today and they did an inspection and found no leaks, all seals are fine from a visual stand point. They did not do a compression test, but I plan to do one myself. I have never done one and I dont really know where to start, so any links or info on how to do it would be great. They put me on an oil consumption test, so I have to go there every time my oil is low and they record it and then decide what to do. I spoke with the techs regarding the fuel pump and they said there is shop talk about it and its normal. There are no fixes for that, with the exception of an aftermarket fuel pump. Regarding the start problems they said that its most likely not an EFI main relay. They never fixed them on the newer 2000+ cars, so its most likely not the issue. I need some more advice regarding the start problem because summer is coming and I am going to be stuck if its not fixed. Thanks for the help guys !