oil consumption getting worse and worse and worse (part 2)

[paulypaul]

I now have to top up my car with a 1 ltr of oil every 1000-1500kms. 2002 RSX type-s w/ 100,000kms. I use 5-30 full synth. I have tried different brands and weights of oil, but the car still consumes oil. And the kicker is that I have ZERO smoke, and No leaks. Others on club-rsx.com say the best way to deal with oil consumption is to get used to it. K20's burn up oil, some more than others. My car is on the higher end of the scale of oil burners, but there are others from that message board that speak of the same problems. Apparently this is common problem with the first two years of production of the RSX k20a2.

I have to bring my car into my garage in a few weeks to get some work done(stuff I can't do myself). I was going to get them to do a leakdown and compression test. My uncle (a mechanic) told me I should get an oil system flush before I get any of that shit done. Someone on club-rsx.com told me that I should get my valve heights checked. Not sure if that is worth it. Another person from club-rsx recommended that I switch to regular oil. That way it will be cheaper to fill up, and if I am burning oil I will see the smoke. Not sure if I like that idea. does anyone have any other ideas.

anyways, the thing that pains me the most is that this is currently my daily driver and my only car. I know that the only way to find the problem is to take the engine apart. and fearing the worst I am looking at new piston rings, new valves, springs, no car for two weeks, and a $3000 garage invoice.

I love my car, I would hate to sell her, but I need some advice on where I should cut my loses.

the other millions dollar question is: If I do go the route of overhauling my engine who do I trust to take apart my k20 and do a good job putting it back together? at the end of the day it will be cheaper than replacing my car.

P


sorry for the drawn out post.

[t-royMP3]

trade ya :)

[paulypaul]

trade ya :)

thanks for the offer, but no thanks. :)

[t-royMP3]

lol i was just kiddin'! sometimes when my shit acts up i just want to get rid of it! lol!



good luck with your issue though!

[figo]

I would find out where you are losing oil first. A comp test and leakdown is a good idea, checking around the engine bay for leaks, checking smoke on start ups, checking spark plugs, check your coolant (just in case).

I know you really like the car and for a couple $$$ you can rebuild your engine and maybe replace some OEM parts with the more HP hungry ones.

[Andre]

yikes.

It's not only the $$, it's the frustration of having to monitor your oil level every couple days I bet.

Fred's right, try to isolate the problem. If you rebuild the motor who's to say it won't be a future problem again? (If it's a known problem on that engine design)... Sell that shit

[paulypaul]

I would find out where you are losing oil first. A comp test and leakdown is a good idea, checking around the engine bay for leaks, checking smoke on start ups, checking spark plugs, check your coolant (just in case).

I know you really like the car and for a couple $$$ you can rebuild your engine and maybe replace some OEM parts with the more HP hungry ones.

Last fall I thought I was leaking around the valve cover gasket, so I replaced it. The back side of the engine is cleaner now, but I am still losing oil.

coolant is ok, but I have never checked my plugs.

smoke on start up is minimal. Extremely light white smoke, not blue. And it doesn't last very long, After 20 seconds its clear.

Other than internal consumption, the only thing I can think of is that perhaps I am squirting oil while the car is running. Because I've had my car for almost two years now and all my parking spots ( home and work) are free from oil stains. so maybe I am just dropping oil when the car is rolling?

[paulypaul]

... Sell that shit

it's just a lousy and slow RSX, but I am attached to her.

[Andre]

If your plugs are dark and oily (including the ceramic) you're burning oil, so you may want to check that....?

[paulypaul]

If your plugs are dark and oily (including the ceramic) you're burning oil, so you may want to check that....?

I will look for that when I do the compression test.

[figo]

If your plugs are dark and oily (including the ceramic) you're burning oil, so you may want to check that....?

I will look for that when I do the compression test.

Do a compression test with a cool engine and then try it with the engine warmed up, see if there is a big difference.

[Musclecar]

That sucks to hear you're having problems with a car you love. 1L/1000 would be pretty good for my RX-7.
Honda owners complain about oil consumption... rx-7 owners boast about how much oil we can use :P

good luck with the rebuild.

[CRXZC]

Are you in VTEC a lot?

Don't these engines consume a fair bit of oil but only when in vtec a lot? Something about oil being sprayed during VTEC engagement to protect the cylinder walls etc..

... Sell that shit

it's just a lousy and slow RSX, but I am attached to her.

RSX's are neither lousy or slow - I think they are beautiful and I can see why you would want to hang on to it.

Hmm, ok so no oil spots that you can see. Take a look around and under the car - some leaks only happen while running, while there is oil pressure. If that is the case, the oil may be dripping down, and being blown up under the car as you drive. I would still imagine you would see drip spots, but you never know.

Like Fred and Dre said, the compression test is a good idea. I have a tester you can borrow if you want to save the trip to the shop.

Has the car always been this way? I've heard in some cases a ring is installed incorrectly, and the car consumes oil forever. That cylinder should show a compression difference.

Good luck, let us know what you find, and let me know if you want to borrow that compression tester - it's easy to use!

Jim

[whiplash]

Jack the car up and take a look around at the underside of the engine. See if you can spot any areas which look like fresh oil. You may not see drips if it's only happening under pressure, but you should be able to notice areas that oil appears to be fresh.

[paulypaul]

Are you in VTEC a lot?

Don't these engines consume a fair bit of oil but only when in vtec a lot? Something about oil being sprayed during VTEC engagement to protect the cylinder walls etc..

VTEC kicks in at 5800rpm on my k20a2 and I don't use it allot. I am usually in traffic with my car and rarely open her up.

I basically baby it.

[Logan]

They actually made an engine worse then the B21 for oil consumption??? I thought Honda would learn...

[paulypaul]

Jack the car up and take a look around at the underside of the engine. See if you can spot any areas which look like fresh oil. You may not see drips if it's only happening under pressure, but you should be able to notice areas that oil appears to be fresh.


I do my own oil changes and have never noticed any oil.

Fred can back me up, he has been under my car as well.

[paulypaul]

They actually made an engine worse then the B21 for oil consumption??? I thought Honda would learn...




apparently it was very common in the 02 / 03 production. There are rumours ( only rumours from club-rsx ) that half way through the 02 production Honda changed the rings, valves, and spring specs on the K20a2. Unfortunatly my VIN puts my car in the first half of the 02 production line, before the changes were made. Of course Honda did not do a recall or bullletin.

[Logan]

That sucks. I know with the B21's the problem lies with the rings and cylinderwalls. Honda apparently tryed a new type of sleeve, without putting better rings in. Typical B21 life span is 180-220K. I managed to get 430 000km...hehehe

[figo]

I remember checking out your car, everything seemed normal under, nothing was fresh and no burning oil on exhaust etc. I actually remember me telling you its pretty clean for a daily driver (winter and all for 5-6 years). You can also maybe engine shampoo and clean the engine bay everywhere. It might take a while but you will also get a clean bay at the same time. After she runs for a bit, check again under the car, try to do it when the roads are dry for a couple of days. But starting with a comp and leak test is a good start.

[mildtowildengines]

take your oil fill cap off and check for "puffing" or pressure just with your hand. If you feel anything at idle or higher rpms your rings/cylinders are finished. Look forward to sleeving and switching over to moly rings because re ringing the motor wont do you much good. Its hondas crappy aluminum cylinder walls.

[Simpo]

or get a new k20a2 or k24 (tsx).. k20a.org (usa) but is a good start.

nice car, good power and the technology is awesome, im sure you like your gas millage! Keep the car :)

[Jdc]

Sleeved and boosted sounds like fun!

[b18a1+gsr-trans]

start using 10w40 and continue to take it easy, consumption will go down

im assuming you engine is worn ie. rings and valve guides&seals

thick oil burns quick at high rpm's though so keep that in mind.

[paulypaul]

or get a new k20a2 or k24 (tsx).. k20a.org (usa) but is a good start.

nice car, good power and the technology is awesome, im sure you like your gas millage! Keep the car :)

I would get a K24 before I put in another K20.

and I believe you can get the v6 K24 from an accord and the Element as well. It should fit under the hood

[Simpo]

TSX k24 are the best K24 vs Accord or Element. Both accord and element are I4 2.4L DOHC iVtec, V6 are another serie of engines. TSX 06-07+ changed a bit, bigger intake valves (i could find you the list of upgrades). They put around 205 hp with crazy good fuel economy and installation is mostly the same thing as a k20.

Accord and Element k24 are 160hp/161 lb-ft. Less precise than a TSX K24 due to more sensors in the TSX block.

Keep updating! Let us know if you go for a rebuild or a engine upgrade!

[paulypaul]

I could try and get a k20 from a type-r out of Japan

[Jdc]

Could, would, should....... DO IT!!!!!!! You love your car remember? :mrgreen:

[paulypaul]

Patience :)

[Jdc]

Patience....... :| That shit pisses me off. ADD must be doing it's job!

[paulypaul]

"failing to plan is planning for failure"

-john Wooden

[Simpo]

http://www.prosportsmemorabilia.com/Images/Product/33-59/33-59910-F.jpg

So you love basketball eh?

[jdm_integra]

whatever u do dont do a crackcase flush your gonna blow your engine inside of a week thats the worst thing you could do seen it happen 3 times!!!!!