1.4 Civic Mk7 burning oil really fast, any ideas why?

1.4 Civic Mk7 burning oil really fast, any ideas why?

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techniques

Original Poster:

40 posts

112 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
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Just got back from service today and the mechanic told me I was dangerously low when I brought it in. Weird thing is, I put in 2 litres of castrol edge, 5w30 fully synth back in may (3 months ago)

Should it be burning this quickly? 51 plate I bought in August 2013 with 72k, never had any problems. I use it for my work which involves traveling the country a lot so It's at 109k miles now. I'd say I noticed this problem about 6 months ago, where the oil light was coming on a bit too frequently. I've had it serviced twice, under my ownership including a timing belt change.

Mechanic says he's not sure, but definitely something in the engine, but will be costly. Other creeping up problems is a noisy gearbox + front suspension needs some work, there's a weird knocking/rattle which will cost aprox £300 to fix.

Is it worth the repairs? or should I accept that My Monica is coming to the end of her days, run her till she quits, whilst saving up for a 1.6 with lower mileage (they're not too expensive)?



HayesDC2

285 posts

131 months

Friday 14th August 2015
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Do you do many miles? Admittedly yours will not be a vtec but the acceptable oil consumption for vtec engines is 1 litre per 1000 miles so at a guess it might be about the same for non vtec engines. I had a mk6 1.4 and that didn't use any in the 2 years I had it.

techniques

Original Poster:

40 posts

112 months

Sunday 16th August 2015
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HayesDC2 said:
Do you do many miles? Admittedly yours will not be a vtec but the acceptable oil consumption for vtec engines is 1 litre per 1000 miles so at a guess it might be about the same for non vtec engines. I had a mk6 1.4 and that didn't use any in the 2 years I had it.
Yes, A lot of Motorway miles because of my Job. I'm at 109k from 72k in 2 years, so quite a bit.

seany87

622 posts

169 months

Sunday 16th August 2015
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techniques said:
Just got back from service today and the mechanic told me I was dangerously low when I brought it in. Weird thing is, I put in 2 litres of castrol edge, 5w30 fully synth back in may (3 months ago)

Should it be burning this quickly? 51 plate I bought in August 2013 with 72k, never had any problems. I use it for my work which involves traveling the country a lot so It's at 109k miles now. I'd say I noticed this problem about 6 months ago, where the oil light was coming on a bit too frequently. I've had it serviced twice, under my ownership including a timing belt change.

Mechanic says he's not sure, but definitely something in the engine, but will be costly. Other creeping up problems is a noisy gearbox + front suspension needs some work, there's a weird knocking/rattle which will cost aprox £300 to fix.

Is it worth the repairs? or should I accept that My Monica is coming to the end of her days, run her till she quits, whilst saving up for a 1.6 with lower mileage (they're not too expensive)?
If the oil light comes on then oil pressure is dangerously low and damage might have already been done. If you had to put in 2 litres then you'd have been pretty dry - its only a litre between min and max on the dipstick I'm sure?

Some Hondas are better than others, my Type R is on about 120k and uses about a litre or so every 6-7k.

If I were you I'd just drive it till it blows up - you'd be surprised how long it may last you. Go with a thicker oil as well, like a 10w-40 - it won't burn as fast.




techniques

Original Poster:

40 posts

112 months

Friday 21st August 2015
quotequote all
seany87 said:
If the oil light comes on then oil pressure is dangerously low and damage might have already been done. If you had to put in 2 litres then you'd have been pretty dry - its only a litre between min and max on the dipstick I'm sure?

Some Hondas are better than others, my Type R is on about 120k and uses about a litre or so every 6-7k.

If I were you I'd just drive it till it blows up - you'd be surprised how long it may last you. Go with a thicker oil as well, like a 10w-40 - it won't burn as fast.
Thanks for the advice, will try the thicker oil. Other than this, the car has been solid since I got it. 51 plate too.