I have a 1997 civic with 109k on it. I drive 60 miles (38 on I-15) every day to work (120 miles round trip). Everytime I change the oil in it about a week later the oil is down 2 quarts and its real dirty. This started about a year ago. I have just been replacing the oil that has been lost. The car has no loss of performance (that I can feel, power or mileage) but does make a screaching noise during acceleration. I have yet to change the timing belt and when that is done the water pump will get changed, which I have been told will fix the screaching noise. Anyway I was worried that my K&N cold air intake was letting to much "junk" into my engine. Is this possible, or is it something completely different? runsrealfast <--i run fast not my car, after all its a civic
-------------------------------------- For starters, your PCV is stuck open, (spring might be rusted through) so it's allowing your oil to be burned invisibly. That can be hard on the CAT, so you should replace the PCV with an OEM one ASAP. 'Curly'
crud in the oil comes from combustion problems or ingestion of grit/increased wear - once you mention the k&n intake, all sympathy disappears. look into the cost of a replacement jdm engine and refitting the stock air filtration system.
If a new PVC doesn't help, then you may have to shoot it. Two quarts of oil a week without any oil leaks is beyond excessive. OK, you don't have to shoot it, it could need new rings and get rid of the CAI replacing it with the stock intake. A wet vs. dry compression test might help to pin point a problem with the rings. By the way, driving around with a screeching water pump isn't such a great idea. A failed water pump will stop the engine due to bent valves. However, then you'll be able to run much faster than your Civic. Eric
I'm not losing quite that much oil I lost 2 quarts about 1000 miles before I was due for a oil change anyway. But I have been thinking of getting the stock equipment back into the car and the timeing belt/water pump is on the to-do-list but my honey-do-list never shortens so i have not had the chance yet
thanks for the link, the test looks a little pro AC delco, but I see the point. Still it makes you a little sceptical when the same filter gets rated the highest everytime...
If your engine is bad, that filter is probably to blame. You ought to sue them. If the water pump is screeching you need to get it done yesterday. Is it leaking coolant?
no, its funny though it doesn't screech all the time, but yeah I know it needs to get done just need the time to do it.
I am actually a little skeptical that it really is the water pump. If it was really the water pump I kinda think you would be looking for a new engine by now.
Here's my two cents worth. Oil will turn black due to combustion gases getting into the crank case. The oil is probably getting by the piston rings. It it was getting by the valve guides you would probably have fouled plugs.
