The LAST 1.5L oil dilution thread. Bold, I know

[Tenshi]

*Moving this to https://civicx.com/threads/oil-dilution-tsb.21118/page-7 Please reply there. I plan on starting a new thread once the data starts coming in.

For those not in the know, Big H Honda has a recall on the 1.5L turbo engine. The recall itself is only for the Asia market, according to what I have seen online-sources below:

https://reuters.com/article/us-chin...cars-in-china-over-engine-issue-idUSKBN1FW124

https://carcomplaints.com/news/2018/honda-cr-v-civic-high-oil-levels.shtml


This news has left us, here in the US market, worried about potential issues with oil dilution. Oil dilution is when gasoline gets into the engine's motor oil. This reduces the effectiveness of the oil by changing the properties of it [thinning it out]. Now, most (if not all) engines will have some dilution due to how an engine works. I won't get into that here- trying to keep it light.

The worry is, the US Civics also have these problems and we're slow to diagnose. There has been a few threads on here recently and I would like hard, unbiased data on the matter. Maybe you do too.

I propose: we here, on Civicx, get our oil tested and post the results. By crowd-sourcing this data, I believe we collectively can answer most of these concerns.

How it Works: For $28, you can get your oil tested at https://www.blackstone-labs.com or similar company. You will then post the results here (minus any personal details), along with relevant variables: Tuned or not, freeway vs street driving, hot or cold climate, gas quality, oil type, etc.

The more data points we have, the better our results. I was already planning on doing this myself for funsies- but with with enough of us we can put this subject to bed... or... you know... start changing our oil sooner

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[Micah]

requested test kit, almost 14,000 miles on car, due for second oil change soon

 

[Design]

Oil dilution is a broad term. The "issue" in question is fuel dilution. I recommend moving the discussion here (vs. creating a thread in a niche forum):
https://www.civicx.com/threads/the-oil-thread.684/
https://www.civicx.com/threads/fuel-dilution-with-gas-check-yours.20605/
https://www.civicx.com/threads/oil-dilution-tsb.21118/


Currently, there's no evidence to suggest that this is a problem for USDM powertrains unless commuting VERY short distances in very cold climates. Under that scenario, the oil may not reach operating temps which is what burns off excess fuel in the crankcase. Any remaining vapors are siphoned through the PCV/oil separator and burned off through normal combustion.

As per the above links, there's no evidence to suggest the excess fuel is breaking down oil viscosity prematurely. One possible scenario is that oil is being drained/tested after sitting in the crankcase for several hours or more, allowing any unburnt fuel/vapors to settle back into the oil.

My 2 cents...

 

[Slickone]

The LAST 1.5L oil dilution thread

If there are others, why even start a new one?

 

[Tenshi]

Oil dilution is a broad term. The "issue" in question is fuel dilution. I recommend moving the discussion here (vs. creating a thread in a niche forum):
https://www.civicx.com/threads/the-oil-thread.684/
https://www.civicx.com/threads/fuel-dilution-with-gas-check-yours.20605/
https://www.civicx.com/threads/oil-dilution-tsb.21118/


Currently, there's no evidence to suggest that this is a problem for USDM powertrains unless commuting VERY short distances in very cold climates. Under that scenario, the oil may not reach operating temps which is what burns off excess fuel in the crankcase. Any remaining vapors are siphoned through the PCV/oil separator and burned off through normal combustion.

As per the above links, there's no evidence to suggest the excess fuel is breaking down oil viscosity prematurely. One possible scenario is that oil is being drained/tested after sitting in the crankcase for several hours or more, allowing any unburnt fuel/vapors to settle back into the oil.

My 2 cents...

Yes I can move it over there. Main reason for going to the Si side is https://civicx.com/threads/does-oil-dilution-plague-the-si-as-well.26387/ from this week. I was also hoping for a bit more visibility since my proposal will require some effort on our part. First linked thread is 22 pages long... 2nd one's last post is from February... It looks like https://www.civicx.com/threads/oil-dilution-tsb.21118/ was going that way so maybe this is the better home for my call to action.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Tenshi]

If there are others, why even start a new one?

Visibility mostly. I saw the https://civicx.com/threads/does-oil-dilution-plague-the-si-as-well.26387/ post from this week and unlike the other threads, I am hoping to populate one of them with results of oil analysis. But it looks like https://www.civicx.com/threads/oil-dilution-tsb.21118/ is still active enough. I am moving the post there. Will delete this one after today.

 

[Snoopyslr]

We're already compiling the sample data in another thread. So far we've only got 1.5T motors sampled, but I hope to populate the other fields with more data.

As stated in the thread, please PM me your PDF of the analysis and I will add it to the thread.

https://www.civicx.com/threads/oil-analysis-database.21607/#post-364703

 

[Doublestack00]

To avoid this I am going no more than 5K on a oil change with good full synthetic oil. Realistically no car that is running a turbo should go more than that on an oil change.

Audi had a issue back in the day with sludge because the oil capacity was not very much and the motors ran so hot from the turbo. Going to long between oil changes caused the oil to become sludge.

 

[Micah]

To avoid this I am going no more than 5K on a oil change with good full synthetic oil. Realistically no car that is running a turbo should go more than that on an oil change.

Audi had a issue back in the day with sludge because the oil capacity was not very much and the motors ran so hot from the turbo. Going to long between oil changes caused the oil to become sludge.

Use Blackstone labs for analysis of your own engine oil. Or at least reference the other members here who have. More than a few of us are using 7000-8000 miles as the interval. In my case I can say that I am also following the cars maintenance minder, but also checking the oil periodically.

 

[Doublestack00]

Use Blackstone labs for analysis of your own engine oil. Or at least reference the other members here who have. More than a few of us are using 7000-8000 miles as the interval. In my case I can say that I am also following the cars maintenance minder, but also checking the oil periodically.

My first oil change was at 5200 miles. Oil minder said I was at 30%, but the oil coming out was straight black.

It's not much more money to change it at 5K become I only drive about 800 miles a month.

 

[Micah]

Oil turns black long before it needs to be changed. Nothing wrong with changing it more frequently though. It's your money. Back when I was single I changed the oil on my WRX every 3k with Full Synthetic, it often came out looking like new oil. That EJ205 engine lasted nearly 200k while putting out 450whp on the stock internals.

 

[Design]

Explanation on FF color:
https://www.civicx.com/threads/first-oil-change.12712/#post-232838

CN: Change as often as you like. There seems to be little benefit on these motors, except perhaps a lighter wallet.

 

[Doublestack00]

Explanation on FF color:
https://www.civicx.com/threads/first-oil-change.12712/#post-232838

CN: Change as often as you like. There seems to be little benefit on these motors, except perhaps a lighter wallet.

Maybe, but at an extra $28 a year for peace of mind it's worth it to me.

 

[Snoopyslr]

Maybe, but at an extra $28 a year for peace of mind it's worth it to me.

I wish I drove that little lol.

 

[dblotii]

To avoid this I am going no more than 5K on a oil change with good full synthetic oil. Realistically no car that is running a turbo should go more than that on an oil change.

Audi had a issue back in the day with sludge because the oil capacity was not very much and the motors ran so hot from the turbo. Going to long between oil changes caused the oil to become sludge.

Some engines are much more prone to sludge due to how well their crankcase ventilation systems actually ventilate in crankcase with fresh air. Modern engines have the ventilation air path designed with the aid of computer simulation. That is one reason why long oil change intervals can be acceptable.

Dave

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