How worried should I be about oil dilution on new Civics?

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daniellee789

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Why be worried? Do regular maintenance and inspections. After 100k or 150k miles start doing compression tests with your oil changes if you're concerned.
Idk I've just read so much about the dilution thing, its made me paranoid lol
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Weeks

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Way I figure, I've got a 7-year, 120k mile warranty on mine. If it breaks due to the oil dilution issue, I'll probably figure that out in that window, and Honda can fix it or replace it for me.
 

thebutcher

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This is about Oil Catch Cans, it’s long winded, but he does talk about oil dilution and why you shouldn’t worry about it.
 

Troy Jollimore

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This is about Oil Catch Cans, it’s long winded, but he does talk about oil dilution and why you shouldn’t worry about it.
He does, but in a later video he absolutely BLASTS Honda for being generally horrible (huh?) and for their oil dilution issues. “So there’s that.”
 


PhilF

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On my 2010, 13, 16 & now my 19 Civics, have used the same protocol: Mobil1 0W-20 AFE, Mobil1 110 filter changed at 5k intervals, am using Mobil1 0W-20 EP in the 19. None have ever used any oil between changes. I generally check the oil level every 2nd or 3rd fill up. My wife's 2002 Accord (same oil & filter used) but changed annually because she usually drives less than 5k/yr. Never touched a drop between changes. Honda designed these engines for a specific weight of oil, so have always used what was reccomended. Mobil1 products have been working well for me since about 1990, see no reason to change as they usually test near the top in comparisons and are easily available locally, usually on sale. Recently started doing Blackstone Labs UOA, the 5k on the 19 was typical, oil/fuel dilution was 1%.
I originally posted this, but to reiterate some additional facts, my 19 Touring Coupe was delivered in December, being aware of the potential for dilution issues and the weather being cold, I avoided short trips during the 1st 5k miles, made a real effort to get some highway miles each trip. My Blackstone Labs UOA showed just under 1% fuel in the factory fill when I changed the oil/filter at 5k as I stated above. If you are aware of the potential issue, a pro-active approach should minimize any dilution issues. With a DI turbocharged engine, awareness, use of (preferably) Toptier fuel and more frequent oil changes with a good synthetic oil of the proper viscosity as well as minimizing short trips when possible should minimize any dilution issue. 1% in 5k is pretty minimal, 12% would indicate some other issues. My dealer informed me that all of the 2019 vehicles that have this issue have been updated during manufacturing. I'd buy what you want and just be aware that the potential problem exists with any DI Turbocharged engine, if my 19 Touring got totaled tomorrow, I'd buy another in a heartbeat. As far as using the planet's resources, I average 37-38 mpg in mixed driving, mid 40's highway. DI turbo, small displacement engines are a compromise to achieve desired power levels with low emissions and improve fuel economy. I've stated elsewhere that the usage paradigm has changed as has the technology, the average user, ie: CR-V owner, running around town, stop and go, shopping and delivering/picking up kids isn't aware that the way they used to operate a vehicle is now causing problems, this is why Honda put out the TSB/recall, hoping to alleviate the problem by warming the engine quickly. I will continue to monitor using UOA, 10k OC in a few months will be informative. I've had zero issues with my Touring, other than an occasional hiccup with the new idiot TPMS system.
 

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I was looking to purchase a new 2019 Civic Hatchback EX. Should I not buy it due to the oil dilution problem some people were having?
Personally I would wait. It's kept me from buying a new Civic, and I steered someone else away from buying a CRV.

Sure, you'll find many people that are proud to post on the forums that they've had no problems, yet you'll also find many that have. Just look around. The complaints are all over the internet. Everywhere.

There have only been about 3 deaths from Takata airbags. So does that mean these people that claim there is no oil dilution problem, as only a "small" number of people have experienced it, also trust Takata airbags?

Also, I can't remember where, but someone posted that a Honda tech told him the "fix" doesn't actually solve the problem, but is just a way of Honda saying they're doing something about it (as they were more or less forced to).
 
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daniellee789

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I originally posted this, but to reiterate some additional facts, my 19 Touring Coupe was delivered in December, being aware of the potential for dilution issues and the weather being cold, I avoided short trips during the 1st 5k miles, made a real effort to get some highway miles each trip. My Blackstone Labs UOA showed just under 1% fuel in the factory fill when I changed the oil/filter at 5k as I stated above. If you are aware of the potential issue, a pro-active approach should minimize any dilution issues. With a DI turbocharged engine, awareness, use of (preferably) Toptier fuel and more frequent oil changes with a good synthetic oil of the proper viscosity as well as minimizing short trips when possible should minimize any dilution issue. 1% in 5k is pretty minimal, 12% would indicate some other issues. My dealer informed me that all of the 2019 vehicles that have this issue have been updated during manufacturing. I'd buy what you want and just be aware that the potential problem exists with any DI Turbocharged engine, if my 19 Touring got totaled tomorrow, I'd buy another in a heartbeat. As far as using the planet's resources, I average 37-38 mpg in mixed driving, mid 40's highway. DI turbo, small displacement engines are a compromise to achieve desired power levels with low emissions and improve fuel economy. I've stated elsewhere that the usage paradigm has changed as has the technology, the average user, ie: CR-V owner, running around town, stop and go, shopping and delivering/picking up kids isn't aware that the way they used to operate a vehicle is now causing problems, this is why Honda put out the TSB/recall, hoping to alleviate the problem by warming the engine quickly. I will continue to monitor using UOA, 10k OC in a few months will be informative. I've had zero issues with my Touring, other than an occasional hiccup with the new idiot TPMS system.
Thanks! I ended up buying it!
 
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daniellee789

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Personally I would wait. It's kept me from buying a new Civic, and I steered someone else away from buying a CRV.

Sure, you'll find many people that are proud to post on the forums that they've had no problems, yet you'll also find many that have. Just look around. The complaints are all over the internet. Everywhere.

There have only been about 3 deaths from Takata airbags. So does that mean these people that claim there is no oil dilution problem, as only a "small" number of people have experienced it, also trust Takata airbags?

Also, I can't remember where, but someone posted that a Honda tech told him the "fix" doesn't actually solve the problem, but is just a way of Honda saying they're doing something about it (as they were more or less forced to).
Too late now, I already bought it haha
 

akush313

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I just had my Honda Service Dept. replace the fuel injectors on my 2016 Honda Civic 1.5 turbo engine with 131k miles on it due to carbon build up, and my warranty company would not cover it and it was not cheap. I did the proper maintenance as required. I think there is a problem with the turbo engines as they reach higher miles.They said it was due to the detergents in the gasoline that caused this. A vague answer, from the adjuster from the warranty company.
 

Troy Jollimore

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I just had my Honda Service Dept. replace the fuel injectors on my 2016 Honda Civic 1.5 turbo engine with 131k miles on it due to carbon build up, and my warranty company would not cover it and it was not cheap. I did the proper maintenance as required. I think there is a problem with the turbo engines as they reach higher miles.They said it was due to the detergents in the gasoline that caused this. A vague answer, from the adjuster from the warranty company.
So, three things... 1) Open a complaint with the oil company you buy your gas through and state your warranty company claims their detergents do the OPPOSITE of what they're supposed to do, and make the injectors DIRTY;
2) Start asking lawyers about suing your warranty company about breach of contract;
3) Open a case with Honda America, and tell them there is already ONE customer that will get rid of their Civic and never buy another Honda again if they're told they wouldn't cover this repair.

I was planning on keeping my car for about fifteen years. I'm only putting on about seven thousand miles a year, so that'll only work out to just over a hundred thousand miles... But I'll be out of warranty long before then. Why would I take that chance? I could possibly see a cleaning being needed. Possibly an injector needing to be replaced due to failure. But all of them fail due to carbon buildup? That's total BS...
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