V-TEC using engine oil?

Just to start a discussion...

When I first bought my Civic, I waited until about 6,000 to change the oil, because that's what the manual called for. It was still being broken in, so to speak.

So after I dropped my oil, I noticed there was a real lack of dirty oil drained from the pan. I poured it over to discover that it did not even fill up a 1/2 gallon milk jug.

Off the top of my head 4 quarts = 1 gallon.

Less than 1/2 gallon of drained oil would equal less than half the amount of original oil that the engine should have had.

Now I noticed for about 1,000 miles prior to dropping the oil that car sputtered a bit in the higher ends of each gear. But I just assumed it was because it was a new car and needed to be broken in and that it was just powerbanding a bit when the V-TEC kicked in.

But when I realized it had less than half the oil remaining in the pan than it should have had, I became concerned.

I took it back Honda and told them of my problem since it is still under warranty. They told me the V-TEC solenoid used engine oil and that when it was new it may have used it in excess. They also told me to keep an eye on the oil levels and see what happened.

So since then I have and I see the levels drop a bit, but not to the extent that they did that first time. For instance, when I change the oil I fill it up to about the top of the dip stick marker. But when I go to change the next time it is below midway on the dip stick.

So my question is: Were they bullshitting me? Might I have a problem with a new car? Or does the V-TEC in fact use engine oil on a regular basis and I must continue to monitor its usage?

Has anyone ever heard of this or perhaps run into this same problem? Or is it really not a problem?

Input please...

[Wren57]

VTEC using engine oil? WTF, I've never heard of this... I have the toyota version of vtec and it doesnt use engine oil, at least not at that rate... how often do you change your oil?

Originally posted by highlander
VTEC using engine oil? WTF, I've never heard of this... I have the toyota version of vtec and it doesnt use engine oil, at least not at that rate... how often do you change your oil?

I change the oil every 3,000 miles.

See your reaction is the same that mine was originally. I never had heard of the V-TEC using oil. Granted I don't know much about the guts of how the V-TEC operates but it just didn't seem right to me.

I am just wondering if I might have a problem that could come back to bit me in the ass after my warranty expires.

Is this something I should look into? Or is this normal behavior from a new car with an iV-TEC?

v-tec should not use more oil.

[V8killimports]

Uhh.. if 4 quarts goes in, 4 should come out. If you have less you are burning oil. Engines use gas not oil.... burning oil = bad.

[TonitrusEN]

its your car, i heard that the 2002 si's have a problem with burning oil.. i read that on one of the EP message boards..

[ford50forlife]

Not only is your car burning oil, but oil is needed to activate the VTEC system (DONT FLAME ME I HEARD THIS SOMEWHERE I THINK ITS TRUE THOUGH) thats why it sputtered, Like said before 4 go in 4 come out, YOUR GETTING STIFFLED make yourself known, dont take shit. i used to work for hyundai and they love to deny warrenty claims whenever they can.

get someone to watch your car as you drive by them, then get on it and see if they notice any blue smoke puffing from the tailpipe. (make sure you got sufficient oil first) because thats a hell of a rate of consumption so it should be visible.

Ummm...just to question...are/where you racing your car when it was still new? Because I heard that was really bad to do, since you are supposed to "break in" the car without racing it... (or so I heard)

[V8killimports]

Originally posted by juvenile
Ummm...just to question...are/where you racing your car when it was still new? Because I heard that was really bad to do, since you are supposed to "break in" the car without racing it... (or so I heard)

True, but most engines are now broken in at the factory. You are supposed to let rings seat.. at least in V8s, but I still break them in like I stole them. Regardless, it should not burn oil like that.

[ChrisCantSkate]

Originally posted by ford50forlife
Not only is your car burning oil, but oil is needed to activate the VTEC system (DONT FLAME ME I HEARD THIS SOMEWHERE I THINK ITS TRUE THOUGH) thats why it sputtered, Like said before 4 go in 4 come out, YOUR GETTING STIFFLED make yourself known, dont take shit. i used to work for hyundai and they love to deny warrenty claims whenever they can.

yes... the "vtec pin" (actualy engages the rocker for the 3rd cam lobe) is pressureed by the engine oil. that is why you will notice before your car warms up, it will not engage, and your fuel cutoff will be lower(mine goes from 7600 to 6500). also... i burn oil as does every h22 owner i know. they go through about 1-2qt's every oil change. there are little oil squirters in the h22 sleeves that keep the pistons extra lubed durring vtec(cause of the higher about or fuel/air and rpms to run safer). i wouldnt be alarmed by burning oil... but for owning a high performance car, and redlining it, you are going to need to stay ontop of engine matenace alot more.