Hi,

I have a '94 1.6 Esi Auto, (D16Z6). 111,000 miles.

A few weeks ago I did a 100+ motorway journey, driving pretty fast. I got a check engine light and the temperature was higher than normal, on checking the oil, the stick was dry.

After that I changed the oil filter and put in new oil. I drive at least 20 miles a day, but all at 30-50mph, I've monitored my oil level and it's staying constant with this kind of driving, but after another long motorway journey yesterday, the oil level was substantially down again.

Any ideas what could be causing this, or what steps I should take to identify the problem?

 

Any engine tend to use more oil if operated at higher rpm and/or temp. But, your case may be a little too much. Make sure there is no external oil leak. Perform troubleshooting why engine was hot for highway driving first. Make sure crankcase ventilation is proper. Put in product called "Engine Restorer", which help for cylinder compression loss, smooth out engine vibration. It takes about 500 miles of driving for this product to kick in. My Accord is using less oil for now after putting this stuff. I still have to monitor oil level frequently, though.

 

Thanks, I don't think there's a ventilation issue, I think the temperature rise occurred after nearly all the oil was gone, and even then the temperature gauge was nowhere near the maximum.

It has been suggested to me that I should have a compression test done.
Is this likely to be worthwhile?

 

By crankcase ventilation, the other guy meant the PCV valve and related lines. If there's any doubt about the valve just replace it, it's like a $3.00 part.

Have someone follow you in another car and watch for smoke especially when you floor it. If it smokes mostly at heavy throttle the piston rings are probably worn.

 

Doing compression check is a good idea. Paying some one to do so is not. Buy the gauge and do it yourself. Do it before additive is installed and then do it again after 500 miles or so. You shall see improved numbers then.

If you are burning oil, you should see white smoke out of pipe. If it is so visible while driving, it is time for another engine. Start saving for it.

 

Is this the stuff: http://www.americantechnology.co.uk/ ?

 

Yes, that is the stuff.

I had a long reply post ready for upload. I was told that I was not logged on, when I was. Now I don't know where it went. Frustration max.

Anyway, this stuff works for restoring compression. I know it for a fact because I tested it myself on cars I ever owned. To help on oil consumption, the stuff may not be the best one. But having said that, my Accord seemed to use less oil with this stuff in. I need to keep monitoring oil consumption for longer to really say it for sure.

Sizes of cans show on the link are somewhat different from cans I buy in the US.

 

The sizes are just different because everything has to be sold in metric quantities over here.

Thanks for all the advice. Compression testing kit is on the way and I'm going to replace the PCV valve and add the Engine Restorer.

 

Thanks for all the advice. Compression testing kit is on the way and I'm going to replace the PCV valve and add the Engine Restorer.[/QUOTE]

There are three sizes of cans I see in the parts store, 4 cylinder formula, 6 cylinder formula and 8 cylinder formula. Difference is quantity and not the formulation of the stuff, I think.
I usually buy 8 cylinder formula and use half on my cars on every oil change.

I skipped using it on last couple oil change on Accord because I had some other product I wanted to try. I don't think other product worked that good because vibration and oil consumption were up. Now, I am back to the "restorer".

I grew up in metric environment. It took me a long while being able to think with inch and quarts. I still get confused with pints and some other words used here.

Good luck with your car.

 

I did the compression test today, 140-145 psi on all but the second cylinder, for which the result was 125 psi.

Any thoughts?