I tried searching, but not really getting a straight answer

I have a 1998 Accord, 4 cyl with 123K miles. Today, I checked my oil level to find it on the low part of the dipstick. Slowly but surely the oil is disappearing. Where is it going? I dont have an drips or stains in my driveway. Original owner and I baby this car. I dont race it or push it hard. Oil changes ever 3K to 3,500 miles - religiously.

I read that it can be burning. If so, how do I keep this from happening? Is it just the age of the car and I just have to put a quart every 3Kmiles? I use synth 5/30 Mobil.

Is this something I can resolve later when I do a top end rebuild?

Many thanks for the education.

 

If it's not leaking, or getting oil into the cooling system, it's not anything to worry about. Oil use of less than 1 quart per 1000 miles will not likely give any problems. Just keep the oil topped off and all should be well.

 

thank you for searching prior to asking first of all!!

Engines will burn oil, that just is what it is, but it should not be an absurd amount. Just keep an eye on it. And then after your next oil change, watch it, and if it stays pretty consistent, then there should be nothing to worry about. Remember, oil is cheap. But if it is a big amount of oil loss, and no leaking externally or into the cooling system (check coolant in radiator for signs of oil), then there is something to take note of.

 

Use a heavier grade of oil. Go up a grade, and see how that works. A "high mileage" formula oil will have additives that will reduce oil consumption. Synthetic oil in a worn engine is an *expensive* exercise in futilty.

If you are burning excessive oil, it can shorten the life of your cat.

 

high mileage oil is crap don't waste your money. ive got a 210k accord that has only had 5 or 10 w-30 Pennzoil in it.

if you are burning more than a quart of oil in between oil changes your motor is burning quite a bit of oil....nothing really to worry about but just ensure that you always have enough oil.

 

Advice like this guy's is crap.

If you are burning an excess of oil, you should go to a heavier grade. Shell Helix is a good brand of high mileage oil.

Oh, and you will waste a lot more money burning through a thinner grade of oil, particularly if you are paying for a synthetic.

As well as shortening the life of your cat, as mentioned already.

 

show me the proof that high mileage is worth it? generally if a honda is burning oil is is due to the valve seals leaking...a thicker oil can just gunk them up.

if you car is not burning an excessive amount of oil then there is no need to change brands or viscosities. each brand of oil uses different petrol bases. if you go switching brands you could actually dry out or crack the valve seals (this is only in very high mileage engines). the different bases are made of different compounds which can make a burning engine burn more.

the high mileage oils contain more metal lubricants such as zinc and phosphorus. oil companies began years ago taking those lubricants out. quality oils still contain those metal lubricants. conventional oil is great for daily drivers no need for a synthetic....unless you want to. i run a blend in my all motor car....all of my other daily drivers just get conventional penzzoil. ive got more than 1 150k+ mileage car and not a single one burn oil.

 

^i have never heard anything good about penzoil. i cant say for sure that its crap but i have heard quite a few people say that it is. i have heard way more good about castrol gtx, or gtx high mileage. just my $.02 take it fwiw.

 

thanks guys for the entries.

I never knew oil burning can hurt a Cat. Now Im wondering if it affects the O2 sensors. Here in California, we have strict smog rules.

I use Mobil synthetic because I was told I dont have to change oil so often. Before I would change oil every 3K. Now I can wait till 8 or 9K to change oil.

many thanks for your entries. I will keep an eye on this post if anyone has has opinions.

Cheers

 

As mentioned in the other thread.

High Mileage oil is not synonymous with a heavier grade. High mileage as I posted just clogs up your rubber seals if you have a leak.

To the OP I would suggest trying 10w-30. Also, Mobil 1 "synthetic" is not a true synthetic and has a tendency to burn off. You may want to try the 10w-30 synthetic, and then maybe go to Mobil 1 Extended Performance (a much better performing oil)

 

pennzoil is the reason that everyone thinks that you have to change your oil at 3k. pennzoil cleans your engine "better" than a lot of other oils. it will gum up and create sludge much faster than most any other oil if you do not stay on top of regular oil changes. i have nothing but good things to say about it. ive never had an issue and neither have my parents...its all we run in our cars.

castrol gtx is a good oil especially for the price.

 

Plugger, I agree with you on the Shell Helix, but they don't get that in the US..

to OP.. If you are in Cal, you really don't HAVE to use 5w-30.. as muffin said, move up to 10w-30 and see if it makes a difference.

1 qt per oil change really really isnt that bad but see if the heavier oil helps a bit...

 

Same situation with my 98 accord, it always gets low but doesn't leak or burn.

 

My 92 Accord EX w/ 260+ K miles uses about a quart in between oil change. Since I'm in the mid atlantic, I use 5W-30 all year long. I do my own mixing of 50/50 synthetic and HMA. I alternate between Valvoline, Castrol & Mobil. I only change the oil at 6K miles. I never had any problem with gunk, gum or sludge in the engine. In my opinion, your engine oil consumption is normal. If no black smokes are coming out of the tail pipe, I would not worry about it.