i searched for this issue, but it seems to not be adressed, or at least i couldnt find it.

ok, so i was driving down the road like 3 hrs ago, and noticed the prelude wasn't feeling as good of an acceleration, almost like something was holding the engine back or something. this has happened a lot before, and EVERY time it is because of low oil (vtec doesn't want to engage right, etc) I pulled over to the side of the road, ended up putting like 2/3 of a quart in, and started it up and on the next "acceleration run," there was no problem.

why the hell does the h22 burn so much oil, especially in the higher mileage engines?

can anything be done to help better control the burn off rate...i thought maybe installing an oil catch can, and using a certain type of oil (is synthetic better for controlling burnoff?) but i dont know how well that makes a difference.

i'm just tired of buying oil just like gas...i always thought oil should only have to be bought for the oil change!

if anyone knows anything, please post it up!
any ideas are welcome too.

 

What kind of mileage are you at? As you've probably heard, Prelude's are notorious for burning oil. An oil catch can isn't really going to help oil burn-off so much, it's meant more to keep oil out of the IM. If you were noticing hesitation getting into VTEC, you probably need more than 2/3 of a qt (I've had that happen before too); I'm usually going through 2-3 qts a month right now of oil. Also, synthetic is actually likely to make you lose more oil as it's slicker and will slide past worn seals more easily than "regular" oils. You can try running high mileage oils and take a trip to local auto store and try some engine restore liquids to help oil consumption. I talked to my local dealer about this not too long ago and they said it's usually the seals needing to be replaced; particularly the front main seals (and sometimes the rear) as well as the camshaft seals. I'm replacing my t-belt in the next couple weeks and am going to replace every seal I can get to, so hopefully that will take care of some of the problem. If you have an Oil Can Henry's nearby, they have a top-off guarantee and will top up your oil as many times as you need up to 3,000 miles after your oil change (including synthetics).

 

How often are you putting oil in?

Your supposed to top it off every few gas-ups.

Vtec can burn up to 1 quart of oil, inbetween oil changes

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Acidcrakker &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Vtec can burn up to 1 quart of oil, inbetween oil changes</TD></TR></TABLE>

and where may i ASK did you get your info on this.

 

God<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nitrousballa &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

and where may i ASK did you get your info on this.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Various Boards. It ''can'' Doesnt nessarilly mean it does

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Acidcrakker &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Vtec can burn up to 1 quart of oil, inbetween oil changes</TD></TR></TABLE>

dude... 1 quart of oil between oil changes is pretty common on engines WITHOUT hitting vtec... All depends on seals and oil rings.

don't try to freak people out if they have to add a quart.. ESPECIALLY if they hit vtec often.

OP:

Do you leave any oil drips on the driveway?

common seals to go out:
1) driver side: front main, cams, balancer shafts
2)passenger side, Rear main, distributor o-ring
3)rear of engine is most likely oil cooler ring.
valve cover seal is very easy to spot.


If you are low enough on oil that vtec isn't engaging, you are running dangerously low on oil and risk starvation at higher rpm's. Check the level every fuel tank.


Modified by vlang29 at 10:41 PM 2/10/2008

 

Something I posted in another oil thread:

I believe that the H22A's oil consumption is caused by a small amount of blow-by when the engine is pushed hard. The stock EGR and PCV system don't relieve crankcase pressure very well. People who have modified their valve covers to use breather tubes and catch cans often report that the oil consumption issue is greatly improved with these systems. They aren't emissions-legal, however.

My 93 VTEC used a quart of oil between changes (3000miles), and my 5th gen does the same, only I now change every 5000 miles so I use about 1.5 quarts in between.

 

Thicker oil will burn less.

 

i normally don't use additives but i got desperate with how much oil i was burning. i was leaking above the filter (oil pressure sending unit?), at the cam seals, and i'm sure i was eating alot too. i used this stuff with remarkable results. i hardly ever have to add oil now.



edit: i think this stuff is supposed to be readded after each oil change. i know i will.

 

My lude was bad news with oil burning, 2000 miles in I'd need 2/3 quarts, anywho I'll let you know the outcome once the engine is rebuilt, hopefully it'll slove it, I'm sure it will but we'll see.

 

I top mine off like 2 times a week, nothing more than a cap full usally if that. No additives for me though. Although Im thinking about using that Lucas Oil Treatment crap next oil change. Your supposed to use it every 3 oil changes. Im sorta like an auto hippe. I really only like the all natrual crap(5w-30w) that your supposed to put in, and sway away from additives.

 

Do NOT use any kind of oil additive if you don't have to, even Lucas. Experiments have been done that prove that Lucas, and most likely many other oil additives do not contain the anti-foaming properties of the oil. Basically the additive can cause your oil to foam up when it comes into contact with moving parts such as the oil pump. The air bubbles in the foam do not cool the engine as well as the liquid oil and can cause multiple dangerous "hot spots" that can cause the metal to warp, or worse, crack. (Compare to air bubbles in the cooling system.)

P.S.- I agree with the oil catch can, many users on H-T have noticed a significant drop in consumption with one. Although, it seems that most of the oil that was once being burned ended up in the bottom of the catch can. I blame a majority of the oil consumption on a bad PCV system design by Honda. Better the oil be contained and eventually returned to the engine than throwing off the fuel mixture.


Modified by no1knows908 at 3:34 AM 2/11/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gstrudler &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I'm replacing my t-belt in the next couple weeks and am going to replace every seal I can get to, so hopefully that will take care of some of the problem. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I have to at least take the valve cover off to check my t-belt also...dont know what kind of shape its in...u know what seals i should try to replace/could replace while doing it?

by the way, someone asked how many miles i got: 138,000

i also have a bad oil pan, the plug screw is stripped on it. i got it to stop leaking for the most part...the leak is slow as **** now, like a max of 1 drip per day...which is negligible and cant really account for the 2 qts i loose every month

 

There's not a whole lot you can do without getting into a fair bit of work. I forgot about the oil pan too; is there a lot of oil around and on the pan? If there is, you can pull the pan off and re-seal it to the block to take care of some of that oil if yours looks anything like mine. I'm assuming you're like me then and haven't done your t-belt yet? When you do, just make sure you get all the seals done, and you should be in a lot better shape.

 

hell just don't put any oil in it and it won't use any...LMAO.i'm sorry i had to guys.but seriously sounds like a rebuild.