So I just recently bought a 2002 Civic EX (5spd) with 115k. Super clean inside and out. Did an oil change (with Honda recommended 5w20) first thing and I noticed it was particularly nasty. No matter, I thought.

After 1000k I just checked the oil stick. Down about a qt, and abnormally dark and dirty. I checked the tail pipe (should have before buying *face palm*) and the soot is fairly oily. Although, I have not noticed any smoke. Haven't checked the plugs yet

No dummy lights on, and it's been driving fine.

Question is, should I ditch this thing before it keels over on me, or is this no cause for concern (aka put in thicker oil and pretend nothings wrong)?

 

I've had this trouble on 00 corolla, I believe the problem there was piston rings. It would lose about 1qt oil every month.

 

Check for leaks. Oil Drain bolt, V-tech valve(By the intake), Cylinder heard leaks.
Use 5w30. Timing belt done before? If so you might need to change crank seal and cam seal. Also open the plugs out you will know then whats going on if its burning oil.

 

According to Honda, thats normal lol, at least thats what they told me.
I was burning/using/consuming about a Quart every 1000 km's(620miles).
pretty well had to put in a quart every 2nd gas tank. Did that for 2 years before i finally started noticing smoke, then within a month it got really bad, quart of oil per tank(by this time i had begun using 10w30).
Before the engine finally kicked the bucket i was using 15w40 and a half quart of Lucas Stabalizer every 600-700km's just to keep it from smoking so bad.