So, when does the CEL comes on after burning how many quarts of engine oil? I'm just curious... 'cuz I think I burned ~.5 quarts during my trip from ATL -> Keys -> ATL (~2000 miles). Of course, I have added back the oil.

btw, the oil dip stick... the top hole is for 4 quart mark, correct?

 

The difference between the upper and the lower mark is 1 liter. I guess when it's 0.5L below the lower mark your CEL will light up occasionally... IMHO

 

errr, don't count on in, and you better NOT try..

 

the CEL will not come on as a result of low oil

The OIL light will come on when the oil pump cavitates (sucks air) this is measured by a pressure loss. If this light comes on, turn the ignition off immediatly, regardless of where you are.

 

since when the CEL light come on when you are burning oil?


[Modified by jmb, 1:20 PM 3/14/2002]

 

My bad... the oil light.

 

By the time the oil light comes on you might be as much as two quarts low (only about 2 Qts. left)!

 

Scary...

 

Usually if the light is on and you don't turn the motor off immediatly, your engine is focked!

I burn oil like crazy and have been 2 qts low and the light never came on.

Fear the light!

 

Oil light was flickering on for an instant w/ sudden stops (red light, etc) in my CRX.

Spun a bearing 2 quarts low apparently.

 

That oil light might as well be a green dollar sign.

More than likely, you'll drop out of VTEC first. I've had this happen to me once on a skidpad w/ r compounds. Don't have a (edit) baffled oilpan, and the oil was a little low, but it kicked me out of VTEC w/o the oil light ever coming on.

Warren


[Modified by Warren, 5:16 PM 3/14/2002]

 

.....hehe, in my beater the oil lite will blink on in hard turns.

No problems as yet (knock on wood).

 

If the dipstick has just a little bit (like 1mm) of oil on it, how much is in your pan? I guess from reading above, you are 1.5 litre low. That still leaves 2.25 litre or so left in the pan.

 

No most of that oil is in the motor =P

 

Thats because vtec needs 30psi, the oil light comes on below *3* psi.
The dipstick measures the LAST 1 quart. If you are off the stick you are
at least 1 low. Usually the light will come on when you are around 1 qt.

 

This can in fact cause a CEL. Code 22 for the VTEC Oil pressure switch malfunction, so I guess low oil technically can throw a CEL in a way..

 

I have problem with one of the ABS sensor, how come the ABS light never comes on and I have to use a jumper wire to check out the code??

 

if your oil light comes on, you have between 1.5 and 2 quarts in the motor! 2 quarts low! don't ask me how i know this.....