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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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 wrote:

======================================================

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 wrote:

======================================================

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'

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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