8th Generation Honda Civic Forum - View Single Post - blow-by or something else, bad MPG

mfisher1967 · 10-12-2008, 12:04 PM

Catch a sample during your next oil change and send it to Blackstone Labs or Dyson Analysis for testing. A Used Oil Analysis (UOA) from Blackstone Labs only costs ~$22 plush shipping and it usually takes less than one week to get the results. They even send you the sample bottle and mailing kit for free when you request one from their web site. Blackstone Labs tests for the presence of fuel in the oil, which is listed in percent. Terry Dyson, the owner of Dyson Analysis is considered by many to be the premier expert when it comes to accuracy. Dyson Analysis charges ~$50 for a UOA, but the results will be much more accurate and Terry will often make recommendations to improve or correct problems. Performing a UOA is easy and will arm you with some facts when it comes time to get the issue addressed at the dealership.

Your issue sounds like a common problem known as Fuel Dilution, which is common in engines that are frequently used for short distance trips, idle for long periods of time, or use gas treatments too often. If these match your engine use, take the car out for a 30 minute drive at freeway speeds about every other week to help get rid of fuel in your oil. As for gas treatments, I use non-solvent based Lucas Fuel System Treatment in each tank of gas, but use Redline SI-1 in the tank of gas before each oil change. I make sure to wait until the tank containing the Redline SI-1 is almost completely used up before topping off the tank and then I change the engine oil.

10-12-2008, 12:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
mfisher1967 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South Houston, Texas Posts: 119 Mark Fisher	Catch a sample during your next oil change and send it to Blackstone Labs or Dyson Analysis for testing. A Used Oil Analysis (UOA) from Blackstone Labs only costs ~$22 plush shipping and it usually takes less than one week to get the results. They even send you the sample bottle and mailing kit for free when you request one from their web site. Blackstone Labs tests for the presence of fuel in the oil, which is listed in percent. Terry Dyson, the owner of Dyson Analysis is considered by many to be the premier expert when it comes to accuracy. Dyson Analysis charges ~$50 for a UOA, but the results will be much more accurate and Terry will often make recommendations to improve or correct problems. Performing a UOA is easy and will arm you with some facts when it comes time to get the issue addressed at the dealership. Your issue sounds like a common problem known as Fuel Dilution, which is common in engines that are frequently used for short distance trips, idle for long periods of time, or use gas treatments too often. If these match your engine use, take the car out for a 30 minute drive at freeway speeds about every other week to help get rid of fuel in your oil. As for gas treatments, I use non-solvent based Lucas Fuel System Treatment in each tank of gas, but use Redline SI-1 in the tank of gas before each oil change. I make sure to wait until the tank containing the Redline SI-1 is almost completely used up before topping off the tank and then I change the engine oil.