Abnormal engine oil levels after changing to synthetic oil??

Si-aficionado · 05-13-2007, 12:36 PM

I changed to synthetic oil(AMSOIL & filter) at the beginning of April when the car had 5k miles. Today, I was checking the oil level to make sure everything was ok and was surprised that the oil level was very low (at the lower mark of the dipstick)

So I checked and rechecked to make sure..and it is definately very low. I went under the car and there are no oil leaks around the filter or drain bolt; also the space where I usually park my car and stays most of the time has no oil marks either..
This isn't my first oil change and according to our manual it says to add 4.6 US qt (4.4 lt) to the Si..that's exactly what I did.

what could be happening? I'm concerned if I add more oil I could mess up my car..has anyone ever had this issue before??

samx109 · 05-13-2007, 12:40 PM

honda says you are not suppose to put synthetic on k20s

Si4Life · 05-13-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samx109

honda says you are not suppose to put synthetic on k20s

can you please provide us with the document that proves this?

Si-aficionado · 05-13-2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samx109

honda says you are not suppose to put synthetic on k20s

they told you wrong, it's on page 223 of the manual

Si4Life · 05-13-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si-aficionado

they told you wrong, it's on page 223 of the manual

nice.....lol....i am on my second k20 and used synthetic ever since. the same thing has happend to me on both. i dont think its a big deal. i just added more to fill to the upper line. never had any issues.

Si-aficionado · 05-13-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si4Life

nice.....lol....i am on my second k20 and used synthetic ever since. the same thing has happend to me on both. i dont think its a big deal. i just added more to fill to the upper line. never had any issues.

weird..must be a thing with the K20s only. I never had an issue with my 04 LX, though I never put synthetic in that one...

So, once you added oil to fill it up, did it stay full or you had to often add again before having to replace the oil?

Si4Life · 05-13-2007, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si-aficionado

weird..must be a thing with the K20s only. I never had an issue with my 04 LX, though I never put synthetic in that one...

So, once you added oil to fill it up, did it stay full or you had to often add again before having to replace the oil?

occasionaly i add a little. nothing major.

Si-aficionado · 05-13-2007, 01:11 PM

I added half a qt I had left, and it went up to the middle between the marks..would have thought it would have gone up less

dextor · 05-13-2007, 01:24 PM

check again when the engine is warmed up, problem solved :)

jonesthewine · 05-13-2007, 01:27 PM

I found with my Si Sedan that during the first 7000 or so miles that I had to add a bit of oil every week or so...but that now, at 15000 miles oil consumption has decreased to about nil.

FWIW I switched from factory fill to Mobil1 around 500 miles and then to Amsoil at 4588 miles.

Si-aficionado · 05-13-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dextor

check again when the engine is warmed up, problem solved :)

I did, it was still very low

really weird that this is happening..I can understand it being 1 qt low, but for the oil to drop to the lower mark of the stick??

**webby** · 05-13-2007, 02:16 PM

There are a number of people who said they initially burned oil in their car.

Lost Oil during first 3k miles?
Burning Oil and No leak~!
Are you still burning oil? (SI only)

there are a number of others on the site like this above.

Si-aficionado · 05-13-2007, 10:27 PM

thanks for the links webby! glad I caught this on time

Clearly these k20s burn a lot of oil..time to buy some more

***Zeuceone*** · 05-13-2007, 10:29 PM

my si takes 5.3 or so.

Si-aficionado · 05-13-2007, 10:34 PM

the manual clearly states the engine could be hurt if more oil than required is added so I don't know about that..

Blurry · 05-14-2007, 08:57 AM

Is the AMSOIL filter larger capacity then the stock Honda filter? You may need more oil in that case...I plan on changing to AMSOIL 0w30 and EA filter this week.

racerex · 05-14-2007, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeuceone

my si takes 5.3 or so.

Same here.......a little over 5 quarts at each oil & filter change (w/ M1 filter and oil).

Metalhead852 · 05-15-2007, 06:21 PM

I switched to full synthetic on my first oil change and I have not had this problem. I use Penzoil Platnium. I gotta say I don't see myself ever using another motor oil. My oil level has stayed at the top of the dipstick just about everytime I check it. So so far so good. *knock on wood*

***Zeuceone*** · 05-15-2007, 06:36 PM

4 quarts is not good.

***CaliGuy*** · 05-15-2007, 06:42 PM

I am on my second change out with Redline 5-30 and I have to add about 1 qt between changes...In fact I just chenged it a few days ago...Drove it around right after (to get it hot), checked the oil level and I was low by 1/2 quart...and I added the exact amount of required oil...eh...I'll just add another 1/2 quart...Do be careful though! Over filling your oil could really f things up!

05-13-2007, 12:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Si-aficionado Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 1,308 iTrader: 4 / 100%	Abnormal engine oil levels after changing to synthetic oil?? I changed to synthetic oil(AMSOIL & filter) at the beginning of April when the car had 5k miles. Today, I was checking the oil level to make sure everything was ok and was surprised that the oil level was very low (at the lower mark of the dipstick) So I checked and rechecked to make sure..and it is definately very low. I went under the car and there are no oil leaks around the filter or drain bolt; also the space where I usually park my car and stays most of the time has no oil marks either.. This isn't my first oil change and according to our manual it says to add 4.6 US qt (4.4 lt) to the Si..that's exactly what I did. what could be happening? I'm concerned if I add more oil I could mess up my car..has anyone ever had this issue before??

05-15-2007, 06:42 PM	#20 (permalink)
*CaliGuy* VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: SoCal Age: 30 Posts: 10,520 J. M. back by popular demand! iTrader: 4 / 100%	I am on my second change out with Redline 5-30 and I have to add about 1 qt between changes...In fact I just chenged it a few days ago...Drove it around right after (to get it hot), checked the oil level and I was low by 1/2 quart...and I added the exact amount of required oil...eh...I'll just add another 1/2 quart...Do be careful though! Over filling your oil could really f things up! __________________ Visit my city! Free vagin for every resident (in direct contrast to the other cities that only provide free Fleshlites!) http://eat-mykhram.myminicity.com/

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05-13-2007, 12:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
samx109 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Laurel, MD Posts: 7,522 Sam iTrader: 21 / 100%	honda says you are not suppose to put synthetic on k20s

05-13-2007, 01:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
Si-aficionado Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 1,308 iTrader: 4 / 100%	I added half a qt I had left, and it went up to the middle between the marks..would have thought it would have gone up less

05-13-2007, 01:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
dextor Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 447 iTrader: 0 / 0%	check again when the engine is warmed up, problem solved :)

05-13-2007, 01:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
jonesthewine Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mexico Age: 44 Posts: 431 Carlos Castaneda iTrader: 0 / 0%	I found with my Si Sedan that during the first 7000 or so miles that I had to add a bit of oil every week or so...but that now, at 15000 miles oil consumption has decreased to about nil. FWIW I switched from factory fill to Mobil1 around 500 miles and then to Amsoil at 4588 miles.

05-13-2007, 02:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
webby Acorns! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Storage Room B Posts: 14,623 iTrader: 12 / 100%	There are a number of people who said they initially burned oil in their car. Lost Oil during first 3k miles? Burning Oil and No leak~! Are you still burning oil? (SI only) there are a number of others on the site like this above.

05-13-2007, 10:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
Si-aficionado Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 1,308 iTrader: 4 / 100%	thanks for the links webby! glad I caught this on time Clearly these k20s burn a lot of oil..time to buy some more

05-13-2007, 10:34 PM	#15 (permalink)
Si-aficionado Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 1,308 iTrader: 4 / 100%	the manual clearly states the engine could be hurt if more oil than required is added so I don't know about that..

05-14-2007, 08:57 AM	#16 (permalink)
Blurry Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maine Age: 49 Posts: 285 iTrader: 1 / 100%	Is the AMSOIL filter larger capacity then the stock Honda filter? You may need more oil in that case...I plan on changing to AMSOIL 0w30 and EA filter this week.

05-15-2007, 06:21 PM	#18 (permalink)
Metalhead852 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Fort Drum, NY Age: 23 Posts: 339 Michael iTrader: 0 / 0%	I switched to full synthetic on my first oil change and I have not had this problem. I use Penzoil Platnium. I gotta say I don't see myself ever using another motor oil. My oil level has stayed at the top of the dipstick just about everytime I check it. So so far so good. knock on wood