I wonder if this is a valid assumption. Because, today, at about 3300 miles, my 01 s2000 has not used any oil in the last 400 miles, whereas it used to go through about 1/2 a quart every 400-500 miles. My driving habits have not changed.

 

Valid assumption........

 

s2ktaxi, I wonder about the oil consumption : I still burn oil ... after 32500 km (sorry, no miles ) my oil level still goes from MAX to MIN in about 5000km.

I was looking thru the forum for more on oil consumption and I found one from you where you state that high g turns could also be a reason for oil consumption. Can you explain that to me ? I am not a tech guy.

 

Bel:

Some additional potential causes for oil consumption (after 8000-10000 miles or 13000-16000km):
1) if you went to synthetic oil too early before the engine was broken in
2) if you took the factory oil out too early (see other posts)
3) if you did not drive your car hard enough

My comment about noticeable oil burn during high g turns was I noticed at the track in my first S2000 (at 2000km or 1200 miles or so), that on high g turns (instantaneous g - not stead state) there would be huge puffs of smoke coming out the exhaust - I suspect this has something to do with the PCV (Pressure Control Valve) that releaves oil pressure in the crankcase. The PCV normally should releave "air" (ok, maybe oil vapors) that should not have that much oil in it to be able to see 2-3 huge puffs of smoke for 2-3 laps in a row. I think oil was being thrown to one side of the engine enough to cause the PCV to "suck" the oil instead of crankcase air. Just my theory that no one has corraborated yet. THough this is a known potential situation with the NSX's at high revs in high g turns.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by s2ktaxi
[B]Bel:

Some additional potential causes for oil consumption (after 8000-10000 miles or 13000-16000km):
1) if you went to synthetic oil too early before the engine was broken in
2) if you took the factory oil out too early (see other posts)
3) if you did not drive your car hard enough

My comment about noticeable oil burn during high g turns was I noticed at the track in my first S2000 (at 2000km or 1200 miles or so), that on high g turns (instantaneous g - not stead state) there would be huge puffs of smoke coming out the exhaust - I suspect this has something to do with the PCV (Pressure Control Valve) that releaves oil pressure in the crankcase.

 

I averaged a fairly consistent 1600 miles per quart for the first 3200 miles with the subsequent 2400 miles (of which about 2150 was due to the trip to Asheville) using an additional quart. I will be very happy if I only have to add a quart every 2400 miles from now on.

 

Thanks s2ktaxi!

1) I do not use synthetic oil
2) I took out the original oil after 5000km
3) I probably do not drive it hard enough - never did any 7k launches - this seems to me very bad for the clutch!

I think I'll have to settle with the oil consumption.

Anyway, the owners' manual states that you should check your oil level frequently and 'add oil if necessary'.

So at least they admit that a Honda could burn oil

 

I'm curious if driving hard before 3 bars would affect oil consumption. I'm not talking about revving past 6000rpm, but stomping on the gas before the engine has warmed up. You know the sort of thing, you watch your friend pull out of the parking lot, wheels spinning, accelerating hard, etc, or your desire to feel that acceleration overcomes your rationality ...

The reason I ask is that I'm religious about driving the car like a baby until it's up to 3 bars (then making up for lost time ... <G>) and my car hasn't consumed any oil since break-in (over 5000 miles on the odo now).

Does anyone who does push their car hard before 3 bars have oil-consumption problems? If cold hard driving is related to oil consumption then we might be able to remedy this for some of us. Possibly the cylinder/pistons don't form a tight seal until the engine is hot, and thus let oil through to be consumed? Just a thought ...

 

I NEVER push it hard before 3 bars !

 

Hoof is right about not loading or lugging the engine even under - in fact, even when the 3 temp bars are reached, the engine and engine oil may not be up to temp even though the coolant is.

Bel: when I talk about driving the car harder, it's not the launches but rather how often you full throttle/load the engine and high revs.