CR-V Fires

Make sure you hire competent technicians to change your oil! See Below:
HONDA ENGINE FIRES

Reported and Web Produced by: John Matarese
Updated: 07/09/04 17:57:55



ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ON THE ROAD IS UNDER
INVESTIGATION TONIGHT ... AFTER MORE THAN TWO DOZEN ENGINE FIRES.


THE GOVERNMENT IS INVESTIGATING FIRES IN CERTAIN HONDA SUV'S.

THIS IS A CONCERN BECAUSE THE FIRES ARE HAPPENING AFTER OIL CHANGES, IN SOME
CASES AFTER THE VERY FIRST OIL CHANGE AT 3,000 MILES!


AT LEAST 27 HONDA CR-V'S, 2003 - 2004, HAVE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER OIL CHANGES,
ACCORDING TO GOVERNMENT REPORTS.

THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES OIL
LEAKED ONTO HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM DURING "SLOPPY" OIL CHANGES, AND CAUGHT FIRE.

IT TURNS OUT THE OIL FILTER IS CLOSER TO THE CRV'S HOT ENGINE MANIFOLD THAN
IN OTHER CARS.

I WOULD MAKE SURE YOUR TECHNICIAN KNOWS ABOUT THE RISK OF FIRE WHEN CHANGING
OIL.


NO RECALL AT THIS POINT...SO WHEN CHANGING THE OIL, TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO
SPILL.

 

the filter is on the far right of the engine, the exhaust is in the
middle, you would have to do something extermely stupid to get oil
near the exhaust!!!
Chip

 

It's very simple; the grease monkeys are leaving the old oil filter
seal behind when they change out the filter.
They screw on the new filter, maybe even torque it properly.
Start driving, oil pressure sends jets of spray between the two seals
in every direction, including onto the exhaust. Flame on.

--Gene

 

Is there a reason why this would happen more often with CRVs than with
any other car?

 

Probably because the factory failed to lubricate the original oil filter
before installing it.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov
Make: HONDA
Model: CR-V
Year: 2003
NHTSA Action Number: PE04018
Summary:
This investigation identified 32 incidents of oil filter leakage in the
subject vehicle population, with 22 resulting in vehicle fires. All of the
incidents occurred following oil changes. Honda's investigation of 14 of
the fire incidents determined that "five oil filters had stacked seals
(double-gasketing), and nine oil filters had distorted or pinched seals."
According to Honda, both conditions result from failure to follow necessary
repair procedures. Stacked seals result from failure of the service
technician to remove the old seal prior to installing the new filter and
seal. Distorted or pinched seals result from failure to properly lubricate
the new seal prior to installation. Oil leakage from a stacked, distorted,
or pinched seal can be ignited by heat from the exhaust system, which is
located near the oil filter in the subject vehicles. Honda will issue
communications to its dealers warning of the necessity to follow correct
procedures when replacing oil filters in the subject vehicles and of the
potential for vehicle fires to result from improper repairs. ODI will
continue to monitor the alleged defect in my 2003 and later CR-V vehicles.
This investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not
constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The
agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

 

Perhaps not a Honda, but the 1998-2002 Toyota Camry V6 has a rather
strange filter mount location. It's right on the front of the engine
block, with the filter mounted sideways. When the filter is removed,
oil goes through a hole and down the front exhaust pipe. This appears
to be by design. There's inevitably a bit of oil that remains inside
an exhaust bracket that can't be wiped off. Haven't had a fire yet.

 

There are several Honda motorcycles that have the oil filter mounted
between two exhaust headers. Not only is that an interesting place to
locate it if it had a base seal leak like the CR-V, but it offers the
opportunity to make a mess during the change. I always made a little
trough of aluminum foil, then used that to wrap the filter for recycling.

Later, the plastic pans under the newer cars seems to ask for the same kind
of foil treatment. My Mustang, Dodge, and Civic all have plastic panels
that either have to be removed, or have little access ports. I noticed
that Jiffy Lube lets oil run all over tie-rods and such, and then flushes
it all with Brake Clean. Not exactly environmentally sensitive.

 

Any word as to whether the affected CR-Vs were built at the same factory?