All the oil ran out of my new 2007 CR-V !!

[Chuck Connell]

I have a one-month old 07 CRV with about 900 miles. Last night I noticed the oil light blinking randomly. I checked the oil level as soon as I got home, just a couple miles later. It was down, so I added a quart. I did another short errand (5 miles), then checked the oil again. Still low, so I added another quart and parked it for the night. This morning I checked the stick and it showed nothing. So I added two more quarts, bringing the level up to full (2nd hole in the stick). I drove the car directly to the dealer this morning (about 5 miles) with no oil light coming on.

I now realize that the oil has been running out for a week or more. There are oil spots where I park my car at work, and two large spots in my driveway. The oil level was down 4 quarts!

Some questions...

- Has anyone else had this problem?

- What is the total oil capacity of this vehicle? I suspect it is just over 4q, so my oil was VERY low.

- Should I demand a new car from the dealer, since I drove it for some days this way? (Probably about 20-30 miles per day.)

- Any other thoughts/insights?

TIA,
Chuck Connell
http://www.chc-3.com -- My home page

 

[Dano58]

I have a one-month old 07 CRV with about 900 miles. Last night I noticed the oil light blinking randomly. I checked the oil level as soon as I got home, just a couple miles later. It was down, so I added a quart. I did another short errand (5 miles), then checked the oil again. Still low, so I added another quart and parked it for the night. This morning I checked the stick and it showed nothing. So I added two more quarts, bringing the level up to full (2nd hole in the stick). I drove the car directly to the dealer this morning (about 5 miles) with no oil light coming on.

I now realize that the oil has been running out for a week or more. There are oil spots where I park my car at work, and two large spots in my driveway. The oil level was down 4 quarts!

Some questions...

- Has anyone else had this problem?

- What is the total oil capacity of this vehicle? I suspect it is just over 4q, so my oil was VERY low.

- Should I demand a new car from the dealer, since I drove it for some days this way? (Probably about 20-30 miles per day.)

- Any other thoughts/insights?

Your owners manual could certainly tell you capacity of the sump.

You didn't check the drain plug? That would be the most likely culprit in my mind. Not being real familiar with Hondas yet, generally, a flashing light is worse than a solid light. In my Audi, if I had a flashing oil light, I would immediately pul over and turn off the car, as that indicates a severe lack-of-oil condition (versus a solid light which would mean I may be down a quart). So you could have done some serious damage to the car. The dealer will probably fix the oil loss problem and leave it at that.

Good luck.

Dan D
'07 Odyssey EX

PS Just looked at my Oddy's manual, the light is actually an oil PRESSURE indicator, not an oil LEVEL indicator, and says that driving with it flashing or on can lead to severe engine damage. Again, this is in my Odyssey. DD

 

[Dano58]

I have a one-month old 07 CRV with about 900 miles. Last night I noticed the oil light blinking randomly. I checked the oil level as soon as I got home, just a couple miles later. It was down, so I added a quart. I did another short errand (5 miles), then checked the oil again. Still low, so I added another quart and parked it for the night. This morning I checked the stick and it showed nothing. So I added two more quarts, bringing the level up to full (2nd hole in the stick). I drove the car directly to the dealer this morning (about 5 miles) with no oil light coming on.

I now realize that the oil has been running out for a week or more. There are oil spots where I park my car at work, and two large spots in my driveway. The oil level was down 4 quarts!

Some questions...

- Has anyone else had this problem?

- What is the total oil capacity of this vehicle? I suspect it is just over 4q, so my oil was VERY low.

- Should I demand a new car from the dealer, since I drove it for some days this way? (Probably about 20-30 miles per day.)

- Any other thoughts/insights?

Your owners manual could certainly tell you capacity of the sump.

You didn't check the drain plug? That would be the most likely culprit in my mind. Not being real familiar with Hondas yet, generally, a flashing light is worse than a solid light. In my Audi, if I had a flashing oil light, I would immediately pul over and turn off the car, as that indicates a severe lack-of-oil condition (versus a solid light which would mean I may be down a quart). So you could have done some serious damage to the car. The dealer will probably fix the oil loss problem and leave it at that.

Good luck.

Dan D
'07 Odyssey EX

PS Just looked at my Oddy's manual, the light is actually an oil PRESSURE indicator, not an oil LEVEL indicator, and says that driving with it flashing or on can lead to severe engine damage. Again, this is in my Odyssey. DD

 

[E Meyer]

The previous generation of the CR-V had problems with the oil filter gaskets stacking up and then blowing out, resulting in loss of oil & fires, but it happened after the first oil change. At 900 miles, I assume you have not changed the oil yet, so the likely culprits are loose drain plug, loose oil filter, or road damage to something under it.

If at any point it actually ran dry, there is going to be engine damage. On a 1 month old car, unless you ran over something and put a gash in the oil pan, I would certainly try to make them replace it unless they can prove to you that no damage has been done.

 

[E Meyer]

The previous generation of the CR-V had problems with the oil filter gaskets stacking up and then blowing out, resulting in loss of oil & fires, but it happened after the first oil change. At 900 miles, I assume you have not changed the oil yet, so the likely culprits are loose drain plug, loose oil filter, or road damage to something under it.

If at any point it actually ran dry, there is going to be engine damage. On a 1 month old car, unless you ran over something and put a gash in the oil pan, I would certainly try to make them replace it unless they can prove to you that no damage has been done.

 

[Chuck Connell]

Just got off the phone with the service rep at the dealer (Herb Chambers in Burlington MA). The crank seal was blown. The oil was pumping onto the ground as the engine ran. He said "it looks like everything is OK inside the engine". I said there is no way to know that without putting the crankshaft and cylinder walls under a microscope. He more or less agreed.

I said that I want a new car, and he agreed to escalate this to his manager.

Chuck

 

[Chuck Connell]

Just got off the phone with the service rep at the dealer (Herb Chambers in Burlington MA). The crank seal was blown. The oil was pumping onto the ground as the engine ran. He said "it looks like everything is OK inside the engine". I said there is no way to know that without putting the crankshaft and cylinder walls under a microscope. He more or less agreed.

I said that I want a new car, and he agreed to escalate this to his manager.

Chuck

 

[motsco_]

Chuck Connell wrote:

- Should I demand a new car from the dealer, since I drove it for some days this way? (Probably about 20-30 miles per day.) TIA, Chuck Connell http://www.chc-3.com -- My home page

Hmmmm Your owner's manual says you should _shut it down_ if you ever see the oil light come on. You said you drove it 'a couple more miles'. I don't think you're in a position to demand anything.

Hopefully it will be OK.

'Curly'

 

[motsco_]

Chuck Connell wrote:

- Should I demand a new car from the dealer, since I drove it for some days this way? (Probably about 20-30 miles per day.) TIA, Chuck Connell http://www.chc-3.com -- My home page

Hmmmm Your owner's manual says you should _shut it down_ if you ever see the oil light come on. You said you drove it 'a couple more miles'. I don't think you're in a position to demand anything.

Hopefully it will be OK.

'Curly'

 

[Chuck Connell]

When I say "drove it for some days this way", I meant that I drove it for some days without knowing there was an oil problem. As soon as I actually saw the oil light flicker, I continued home (about 2 miles) and immediately added a quart of oil before doing my next errand. The oil light went out.

Chuck

 

[Chuck Connell]

When I say "drove it for some days this way", I meant that I drove it for some days without knowing there was an oil problem. As soon as I actually saw the oil light flicker, I continued home (about 2 miles) and immediately added a quart of oil before doing my next errand. The oil light went out.

Chuck

 

[notbob]

When I say "drove it for some days this way", I meant that I drove it for some days without knowing there was an oil problem. As soon as I actually saw the oil light flicker, I continued home (about 2 miles) and immediately added a quart of oil before doing my next errand. The oil light went out.

It should be ok. I did something similar (oil light on, few qts low) with my 4th gen hatchback Si at about 125K miles. It's now at 240K miles and still runs great. Besides, not a whole lot you can do about it now. :\

nb

 

[notbob]

When I say "drove it for some days this way", I meant that I drove it for some days without knowing there was an oil problem. As soon as I actually saw the oil light flicker, I continued home (about 2 miles) and immediately added a quart of oil before doing my next errand. The oil light went out.

It should be ok. I did something similar (oil light on, few qts low) with my 4th gen hatchback Si at about 125K miles. It's now at 240K miles and still runs great. Besides, not a whole lot you can do about it now. :\

nb

 

[MLD]

I have a one-month old 07 CRV with about 900 miles. Last night I noticed the oil light blinking randomly. I checked the oil level as soon as I got home, just a couple miles later. It was down, so I added a quart. I did another short errand (5 miles), then checked the oil again. Still low, so I added another quart and parked it for the night. This morning I checked the stick and it showed nothing. So I added two more quarts, bringing the level up to full (2nd hole in the stick). I drove the car directly to the dealer this morning (about 5 miles) with no oil light coming on.

I now realize that the oil has been running out for a week or more. There are oil spots where I park my car at work, and two large spots in my driveway. The oil level was down 4 quarts!

Some questions...

- Has anyone else had this problem?

- What is the total oil capacity of this vehicle? I suspect it is just over 4q, so my oil was VERY low.

- Should I demand a new car from the dealer, since I drove it for some days this way? (Probably about 20-30 miles per day.)

- Any other thoughts/insights?

TIA,
Chuck Connell
http://www.chc-3.com -- My home page

If you can't fine evidence of an external leak--drain plug, filter etc, then a contact with Honda is mandatory. If they have any fear that there is an engine related problem they will go all out to find out what it is and will rectify your problem with minimal cost to you. As a absolute minimum you should have some diagnostic checks to determine if the engine has suffered some damage. The car is new--you don't an oil burner for the rest of it's life.
MLD

 

[MLD]

I have a one-month old 07 CRV with about 900 miles. Last night I noticed the oil light blinking randomly. I checked the oil level as soon as I got home, just a couple miles later. It was down, so I added a quart. I did another short errand (5 miles), then checked the oil again. Still low, so I added another quart and parked it for the night. This morning I checked the stick and it showed nothing. So I added two more quarts, bringing the level up to full (2nd hole in the stick). I drove the car directly to the dealer this morning (about 5 miles) with no oil light coming on.

I now realize that the oil has been running out for a week or more. There are oil spots where I park my car at work, and two large spots in my driveway. The oil level was down 4 quarts!

Some questions...

- Has anyone else had this problem?

- What is the total oil capacity of this vehicle? I suspect it is just over 4q, so my oil was VERY low.

- Should I demand a new car from the dealer, since I drove it for some days this way? (Probably about 20-30 miles per day.)

- Any other thoughts/insights?

TIA,
Chuck Connell
http://www.chc-3.com -- My home page

If you can't fine evidence of an external leak--drain plug, filter etc, then a contact with Honda is mandatory. If they have any fear that there is an engine related problem they will go all out to find out what it is and will rectify your problem with minimal cost to you. As a absolute minimum you should have some diagnostic checks to determine if the engine has suffered some damage. The car is new--you don't an oil burner for the rest of it's life.
MLD

 

[MLD]

Just got off the phone with the service rep at the dealer (Herb Chambers in Burlington MA). The crank seal was blown. The oil was pumping onto the ground as the engine ran. He said "it looks like everything is OK inside the engine". I said there is no way to know that without putting the crankshaft and cylinder walls under a microscope. He more or less agreed.

I said that I want a new car, and he agreed to escalate this to his manager.

Chuck

Glad that the source of the problem has been identified---don't let them blow you off. Peruse with Honda for a new car. If that doesn't work be a nice guy and settle for a new engine. No luck, go for an engine teardown and have the rings, valve seals and whatever inspected/replaced. They put 4 qts of oil in the car because that's what it needs--you ran with a lot less--hard to imagine you got away damage free and you don't want it to haunt you for the life of the car. I am in the same area and might buy from that dealer so would you post how this all ends?
MLD

 

[MLD]

Just got off the phone with the service rep at the dealer (Herb Chambers in Burlington MA). The crank seal was blown. The oil was pumping onto the ground as the engine ran. He said "it looks like everything is OK inside the engine". I said there is no way to know that without putting the crankshaft and cylinder walls under a microscope. He more or less agreed.

I said that I want a new car, and he agreed to escalate this to his manager.

Chuck

Glad that the source of the problem has been identified---don't let them blow you off. Peruse with Honda for a new car. If that doesn't work be a nice guy and settle for a new engine. No luck, go for an engine teardown and have the rings, valve seals and whatever inspected/replaced. They put 4 qts of oil in the car because that's what it needs--you ran with a lot less--hard to imagine you got away damage free and you don't want it to haunt you for the life of the car. I am in the same area and might buy from that dealer so would you post how this all ends?
MLD

 

[MLD]

out.

It should be ok. I did something similar (oil light on, few qts low) with my 4th gen hatchback Si at about 125K miles. It's now at 240K miles and still runs great. Besides, not a whole lot you can do about it now. :\

Great comment! From where you sit you can tell that his engine is OK. He had a major defect, why should he take any chances as to the effect it had on his engine. You would be surprised as to what Honda will do to protect the reputatioin of their engines. MLD MLD

 

[MLD]

out.

It should be ok. I did something similar (oil light on, few qts low) with my 4th gen hatchback Si at about 125K miles. It's now at 240K miles and still runs great. Besides, not a whole lot you can do about it now. :\

Great comment! From where you sit you can tell that his engine is OK. He had a major defect, why should he take any chances as to the effect it had on his engine. You would be surprised as to what Honda will do to protect the reputatioin of their engines. MLD MLD

 

[Chuck Connell]

Chuck