I have 1998 Accord Sedan LX 5 spd manual w/ F23A1 engine, and 83,066 miles. I have religiously changed oil/filter every 3k mi or 3 mos. But I have excess oil consumption, am wondering whether to repair or replace. On 01/06/10 at 82,248 miles, I had dealer replace timing belt (and related work: coolant, drive belts, water pump) and tune up (distro cap, plugs, wires, pcv valve), and oil change. Dealer noted Code P420, said it was catalytic converter failure -- I did not have work done on this. I had noticed in last couple of months some excess oil consumption. Specifically, since oil change on 1/06/10, I drove it 800 mi (about 300 highway miles) -- and I just had to add one quart (oil was below lower line, the quart put it midway between the two lines. So, is this engine shot? Valve stem seals? Oil control rings? Would it only be those items, or does this mean cylinders are bad? I am not at all happy, because I have every receipt for 3mo/3kmi oll changes.

 

Your engine is worn -- hard to know why if oil was changed as regularly as you day. But whatever the reason, you should change to a "high mileage" grade of oil. This will be a heavier grade, and should slow down your oil consumption quite dramatically.

The problem with an engine that is worn and burns oil, is that it is easy for the oil level to drop below the min level on the dip stick, leading to more wear, and therefore a faster rate of burning oil... a vicious cycle.

Greater vigilance (check level once a week, and always top off up to the max mark on the dipstick) and a heavier grade of oil should keep the engine happy.

If this doesn't fix things, get a compression check to check something more serious isn't the problem. You may want to get a compression check anyway... but I'd just change to the "high mileage" oil first and see how you go.

 

Thanks for comments. Unfortunately, it confirms my thinking that fixing this would not be cost effective. I have driven it hard sometimes -- it's fun to let the revs go up when you have a manual -- but I really don't know why this would happen when I've taken care of oil changes.

 

Are you the original owner? Hard to say what happened before you own the car if you are not the original owner. You seem to have taken care of the engine with the frequent regular oil changes.

On the code P420, I had this code once before and discussed it with my mechanic, and he say it is a catalytic converter efficiency threshold not necessarily a failure. His recommendation to me was use fuel injector cleaner on my next 2 to 3 tanks of gas and the P420 code has not come back after reset. It's been about 3000 miles since my reset and I current have about 109,XXX miles. Try the fuel injector cleaner on your next couple tanks of gas to see if code P420 goes away. Don't for get to reset the CEL. If it does not work for you , it's only about $15.

 

Valve Seals= smokes while deceleration; at stop signs or start up at cold(blue smoke).

Piston Rings= smokes while aceleration.

Other possibilities can be Front & Rear main seals, but you'll notice oil on your garage floors though.