Want to get a 2018 Civic Hatchback but terrified of the fuel dilution issues

Dicecube · Jun 27, 2018

Axatax said:
In China this has become a huge scandal and Honda even stopped selling the DI Civics for some period of time.

The Chinese models got a recall to reprogram the ECU.

Interesting

Negan · Jun 27, 2018

No one knows how severe this problem is yet. The fuel in the oil not only affects the properties of the oil, but can also cause problems if the overall volume of oil increases too much. The 1.5T has not been on the market for very long and the average mileage is still very low.

It could be just fine but it could also become a problem for a good number of owners as the engines age. We'll only know with time.

The amount of oil dilution is not normal, by the way, at least on some engines, as confirmed by oil analysis tests.

Schmullis · Jun 27, 2018

Changing fully synthetic oil, under normal driving conditions, every 3K is overkill. Just go 6 months or 6K miles and you'll be fine with a long engine life

IronFusion · Jun 27, 2018

Break the engine in well, don't go WOT until reaching optimal temps after startup, and install a catch can. Unless the forum becomes full of images with nasty desposts blocking intakes, there is no need to be concerned. IMO it is doubtful there will be a combined DI/PI fuel delivery system coming to the 1.5L Civic with the next refresh.

Nessism · Jul 2, 2018

How many fuel dilution threads have their been now?

Yes, fuel dilution can occur under certain conditions. Cold weather short trip driving seems the worst. Does this cause excessive wear inside the engine? Not to the extent that has been proven and documented (as far as I've read) anyway, and this includes a number of oil analysis reports where fuel dilution and wear metals are measured in the old oil.

For those that are worried regardless, changing the oil at 5000 mile intervals would be a reasonable hedge. Switching to 0W-30 oil is another; even if the oil dilutes it will still be thicker than the 0W-20 oil that comes on the USA market cars.

DarthMaul40 · Jul 2, 2018

Interesting how all the reports came from China! Do they clone the Hondas? Do they use fake/poor quality gasoline? Why no such issue in the rest of the world? My car is over 15000 km and I had no issue. I changed oil first time at 9000 km. There may be some oil dilution in my engine (I guess that's the correct name of the symptom, since it's supposedly the gasoline getting into the oil and not the other way round). I don't know, but it's not as bad as to rise the oil level!

Hondu · Jul 2, 2018

Garlic81 said:
The new Civic hatchback has been my dream car for the past few years, and I finally have the opportunity to get one. I test drove one yesterday and I loved it.

However, now I've just been reading about the issues the 1.5l turbo engine has been having, especially in the CRV but also Civics with this engine. Basically, gas accumulating in the oil.

I'm so disappointed, because I've wanted this car for a while. Is this issue blown out of proportion? Should it be something to worry about?

Unfortunately, living in Canada means I will be doing a lot of cold weather driving, plus mainly short trips, which they say exasperates this issue.

Just wondering if I would be really stupid to still get this car. The big problem is that I'm currently without a car at all and have a rental that's burning a hole in my pocket, so I need to get something ASAP.

I think you should get the Civic.

Based on my research, I would recommend the following:

1) Use Top Tier gasoline only (plus 91/93 octane)
2) Only use synthetic oil
3) Closely watch your oil level in the winter

Though the engine has shown to have fuel dilution, I don't think I've seen any oil analysis showing it has resulted in very high levels of engine wear.

I believe the main problem with the CR-V has been the rising oil level, which resulted in the engine failures.

rraayy3 · Jul 2, 2018

Suggestions for oil changes?

I’m at 40% oil from my purchase of the vehicle / I was told to keep this oil until 15-20% since it has additional additives

After - change every 6 months or just continue following the maintenance minder? I don’t have a ton of miles so could probably “get by” with 1 oil change annually - but I love my Hatch Sport and want it for a long time

Charley-TX · Jul 2, 2018

Look on the bright side... some people complain that their car uses oil..
"Audi’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and 3.0-liter V6 scored poorly, as did BMW’s 4.8-liter V8 and twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, along with Subaru’s 3.6-liter six-cylinder, 2.0, and 2.5-liter four-cylinder powerplants. So if you have an Audi A3, A4, A5, A6, or Q5 chances are you’re burning oil faster than Dennis Hopper in Waterworld. BMW 5, 6, 7, and X5 owners had better watch out too, as should Subaru Forester, Impreza, Legacy, and Outback drivers."

Our Civic actually makes oil... (well, makes the oil level rise)

elmer255 · Jul 2, 2018

If this “terrifies” you , congrats, you’ve had a easy life

James3spearchucker · Jul 2, 2018

Ok, so I was upset that my oil level was going up from obviously more fuel in the oil but it wasn't a dramatic amount, just enough to upset me. I started using a heavier oil and a Motul oil to boot and the performance has dramatically improved. The 0-20 in USA oil is thin and probably specified to add 1mpg. What is funny is that the 0-40 oil I am using is giving me 2 more miles per gallon, the engine is quieter, and you can sense that the cylinder walls stay coated better because start-up idle is seamless from cold-start. I may settle on a 5-30 next time as I do want the oil to pump easily as well as reduce friction as this one is doing.

djasonw · Jul 2, 2018

I have what many may consider a higher mileage 16 Civic Touring. I have close to 43k miles and haven't had any engine issues at all. I change the oil per the computer (prob every 6k) and the car runs perfect. As others have said, get an extended warranty if you're concerned. BTW...You can purchase an extended warranty before the factory warranty expires.

splat · Jul 2, 2018

I’ve changed my oil twice so far in my Si, about 5500 mile intervals. I sent both to Blackstone. The first report on the original factory fill showed 1% fuel dilution. The second, on Royal Purple 0w20 full synthetic showed less than 0.5% fuel dilution. Their “acceptable” amount according to the report is less than 2%.

parshisa · Jul 2, 2018

splat said:
I’ve changed my oil twice so far in my Si, about 5500 mile intervals. I sent both to Blackstone. The first report on the original factory fill showed 1% fuel dilution. The second, on Royal Purple 0w20 full synthetic showed less than 0.5% fuel dilution. Their “acceptable” amount according to the report is less than 2%.

Blackstone doesn't measure fuel dilution, they estimate it based on flash point temp. Their estimation is useless - well known fact. Use a lab with gas chromatography capabilities (i.e. Polaris)

SpringRubber · Jul 3, 2018

OP was phishing and got some hits, IMHO.

Want to get a 2018 Civic Hatchback but terrified of the fuel dilution issues

Dicecube

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Negan

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Schmullis

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IronFusion

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Nessism

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DarthMaul40

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Hondu

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rraayy3

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Charley-TX

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elmer255

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James3spearchucker

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splat

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parshisa

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SpringRubber

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