Burning Oil and Compression Test
03-20-2006, 02:51 PM
#1
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Burning Oil and Compression Test
Hey all,
I have recently noticed that my oil consumption is quite high. I haven't kept my eye on it enough to say exactly how much per mile, but I would estimate around 1 qt per 900-1000 miles. After reading some scary threads arouond here I decided to have a compression test done at the dealership I work at. This is what we found:
Cyl 4: 210
Cyl 3: 205
Cyl 2: 210
Cyl 1: 210
My mechanic said that one more crank might have given us 210 all around. What is the maximum psi for our 11:1 compression? Examining the old plugs, there was a white coating on the tip, but it was not heavy. I know the car isn't leaking the oil, and I don't think my compression numbers are low, so where is the oil going?
PS: My car is stock except for the new Comptech foam filter and Denso Iridium IK22 plugs. I change my oil regularly (3000-4000 miles with Mobil 1 10w30). I am the second owner, bought MY02 in '05 with 25k miles.
I have recently noticed that my oil consumption is quite high. I haven't kept my eye on it enough to say exactly how much per mile, but I would estimate around 1 qt per 900-1000 miles. After reading some scary threads arouond here I decided to have a compression test done at the dealership I work at. This is what we found:
Cyl 4: 210
Cyl 3: 205
Cyl 2: 210
Cyl 1: 210
My mechanic said that one more crank might have given us 210 all around. What is the maximum psi for our 11:1 compression? Examining the old plugs, there was a white coating on the tip, but it was not heavy. I know the car isn't leaking the oil, and I don't think my compression numbers are low, so where is the oil going?
PS: My car is stock except for the new Comptech foam filter and Denso Iridium IK22 plugs. I change my oil regularly (3000-4000 miles with Mobil 1 10w30). I am the second owner, bought MY02 in '05 with 25k miles.
03-20-2006, 03:06 PM
#2
Former Moderator
A compression check doesn't check to see if the valves are sealing, a leakdown test does.
Honda's own spec is 1 quart every 1K is acceptable. You need to document how much is actually being used before getting worried about it.
Honda's own spec is 1 quart every 1K is acceptable. You need to document how much is actually being used before getting worried about it.
03-20-2006, 03:22 PM
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My 2002 model would also consume oil. Not as heaviliy as yours. Mine was about 1 quart per 3000 miles or so. I noticed that my car would consume Mobil 1 10w30 faster than a regular conventional oil (Castro GTX).
Jut for comparison purposes, my 2005 model doesn't consume any measurable amount of oil.
Jut for comparison purposes, my 2005 model doesn't consume any measurable amount of oil.
03-20-2006, 04:25 PM
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Honda's Service Manual states the following for compression numbers
(note no differentiation is made between AP1 or AP2):-
Nominal pressure is 228psi
Minimum pressure is 135psi
Maximum variation is 28psi
Note the use of the word nominal, some deviation from this would be no cause
for alarm-my experience with other cars suggests that a 5-10% variation is
quite within the bounds of manufacturing tolerances.
(note no differentiation is made between AP1 or AP2):-
Nominal pressure is 228psi
Minimum pressure is 135psi
Maximum variation is 28psi
Note the use of the word nominal, some deviation from this would be no cause
for alarm-my experience with other cars suggests that a 5-10% variation is
quite within the bounds of manufacturing tolerances.
03-21-2006, 07:11 AM
#6
Registered User
that minimum pressure is confusing. that doesn't mean that if you have 135psi you're fine cuz it's at minimum. if you're under 180/190, then you have a problem. and even that's pretty low.
03-21-2006, 02:54 PM
#7
Registered User
I was burning 1 qt for every 600miles. Personally I should have just left it since the engine was so smooth. Leakdown and compression showed nothing other than stating that my engine gave #s close to being new with about 50000miles already on it.
I eventually got a new shortblock and valve seals. The new engine pulls a bit harder but not as smooth as the old one, and now I have an annoying faint ticking that can't be traced. I would say burning 1qt/1000 miles is okay. If it is a smooth engine and has power I wouldn't worry about it rather than go through the hassle of an engine change.
I eventually got a new shortblock and valve seals. The new engine pulls a bit harder but not as smooth as the old one, and now I have an annoying faint ticking that can't be traced. I would say burning 1qt/1000 miles is okay. If it is a smooth engine and has power I wouldn't worry about it rather than go through the hassle of an engine change.
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03-22-2006, 06:15 AM
#9
Registered User
formerH22a4, you answered my question. you responded to my thread re: when i worried about excessive oil consumption on my 'o2, and i wanted to ask you if you would do it all over again knowing what you know now. i was pushing for a new short block when oil consumption became an issue, but now i don't care. i'm just going to drive it and enjoy it! so few dealers really know what's going on with this car, or what's best for it.
03-22-2006, 04:15 PM
#10
Registered User
For my new engine, it doesn't burn any oil. When the did a tear down on my oil engine, nothing was found that was wrong. The only they notice was high carbon build up but if you burn a qt per 600miles then that would be understandable.
You could use some fuel treatment or injector fluid add in to help reduce the carbon deposits.
If you have high mileage on your current engine or be able to put up with some minor hassles after getting a new engine then it might be worth it. If not, just keep an eye out on the burning, if it picks up higher then definately have it looked after for good.
To give you an idea, I was normally burning 2 qts per every 3500miles since the car was new, then one day my consumption increased to 1qt/600miles . That signalled something to investigate.
You could use some fuel treatment or injector fluid add in to help reduce the carbon deposits.
If you have high mileage on your current engine or be able to put up with some minor hassles after getting a new engine then it might be worth it. If not, just keep an eye out on the burning, if it picks up higher then definately have it looked after for good.
To give you an idea, I was normally burning 2 qts per every 3500miles since the car was new, then one day my consumption increased to 1qt/600miles . That signalled something to investigate.