Oil Dilution -- Honda 1.5 Liter Turbo

I've got the dreaded oil dilution issue on my 2017 Honda CRV. Some of the fuel does not get burned off in the chamber and makes its way into the crankcase (not good). I've got an appointment at the dealership for the "fix," so let's see if it works.

#CRVOilDilution #HondaTurbo #HondaCRVOil

[martianmanhunter]

Im picking up the base crv. That 2.4 is a great engine

[googleuserU]

Honda has no solution to this problem. just trying to gain time and selling more honda crv's. Still having the same problem after the fix applied and 3 visits to the dealer. Dipstick color was choosed because of this problem:very difficult to see oil level. Honda dealer not recognizing the problem at all. As indicated here this is an engineering problem not software issue. Will never buy Honda. People should stay away from all honda models with turbocharger and direct injection.

[connersweeney]

Buying aftermarket hot spark plugs can help this issue. Jumping up in burn temp with hotter spark plugs, and even maybe other ignition parts can help complete a better burn for it. Reducing this fuel issue

[j.d.schultzsr.]

I am quite certain that Honda knows they have a catastrophic engineering design problem, to which their best solution is to make more money by surreptitiously shortening their maintenance intervals.

I have been driving for close to 60 years and as a 2nd-generation Detroit-born-and- raised motor head (my dad and his buddy had their own Model-A garage as high school kids), have always performed my own repair and maintenance on every vehicle (of 2 wheels or 4) that I have ever owned. As I approached my 70s I became much less likely to do anything more than; oil/filter changes, an occasional tune-up, valve adjustment, plugs, brake jobs, ect., but I did resent being unable to TOUCH my new vehicle. Unlike most "professional" mechanics (especially @ dealerships), when I repair a vehicle I intend to keep, I try to use the best available (sometimes used/rebuilt) replacement parts and take all the time necessary to do the best possible repair. When I change oil in a vehicle I intend to keep, I use only the best oil and best filter available and I usually flush during the process. To keep the Honda warranty, we now must let ONLY Honda perform ANY labour and use ONLY Honda parts.

What seemed baffling to me (although it is now becoming much clearer) was NO MENTION of a maintenance schedule in the owner's manual! Given the apparent total on-board computer control (and maybe INTERNET control) of 21st Century vehicles, it seems that the maintenance schedule is variable to the needs of the manufacturers and dealers.

This will be our 3rd Honda and we loved each of them, but we are now the unhappy owners of a 1.5L Turbo 2018 CRV EX. The first year we only drove her for short errands around our small town and trips of 100+ miles only twice. We always used her remote start to warm her up before driving and never jack-rabbited or abused her. We never noticed any variation of oil level, nor did we get a bulletin or recall notice. We did get the "MAINTENANCE DUE" popup on the dashboard at 3, 000 mi. and used our "dealer freebie" to have our first oil and filter change early last month.

Later last month we drove to Florida & back, where we drove often at 70-90mph all day × 8 days, for a total of 3, 000 mi+. When we got back to town, we found a 1 inch rise over "FULL" on her dipstick level.

Since we live in a high desert climate where it almost NEVER goes down to freezing, ALWAYS warming her up and NEVER accelerating aggressively (minimizing turbo pressure), Honda's theory that "...fuel dilution is due to insufficient warming, especially in cold climates..." is SHEER AND UTTER BULLSHIT!

So now we will take her in for the "Honda fix"; oil/filter change and the magical top-secret mumbo-jumbo software update, but the only way to test her is to drive 3, 000mi. accross Texas (with their 80mph speed limit, our radar detector, a big bottle of No Doze and some adult diapers) and see if her oil level no longer rises!

Alternately, our next best option is to get rid of her and try to find a vehicle (preferably something from the last century) that a liitle old lady only drove to church on Sunday.

We did see a website that solicits membership in a law firm's class action suit, and are thinking about joining and taking their printout to show to the Honda service manager.

[hiteshjani]

I had the supposed software fix, but in the winters of Pennsylvania I still experience the same issues that I had before.

[mikebird]

As someone with this engine, it does take a good min to warm up compared to other motors around the same size, my v8 warmed up the performance of this little guy though.

[muddyho]

Just traded my 18 Touring this past Tuesday. The absolute worst heat from a vehicle I've ever encountered, it was comparable to my 1968 Beetle. I live in Northern Maine, so this is a dangerous/safety issue. The vehicle could not produce enough heat to keep the windows defrosted, unless you were doing highway speeds, and even then the minute you get to a stop light etc, the engine temp begins dropping to zero, and now you're getting cold air blown into the cabin.

I told my dealership they should NOT be selling these vehicles in our area (or any cold climate locations). Thank god I was able to get rid of it.

[mosthatedking]

I live in Los Angeles California and drive my 2019 Honda Civic for a daily 56 miles one way to work and 56 miles back and I’m experiencing oil dilution problems very bad

[chuckentleutner]

I had a brand new 2016 CRV Touring NON Turbo, that had oil dilution issue bad. Also had very poor winter heat. Traded it off for a real car, Toyota Highlander. Also, many people have the issue in Florida and Texas, warm weather climates. In China, there is a recall, should be in USA too. Never again Honda, admit to problems and fix them, don't try to cover them up.
A new car warranty is only as good as how it is honored, you get graded an F

[fourtoes]

This is also a common problem with large port-injected 4 stroke outboard engines. I have experienced this with Suzuki DF140, DF200, DF250, and Yamaha F115, F250 models.

[mrblob]

It's by design. Eventually the fuel will wear out the rings, so that the oil will start burning away alongside the gasoline. It's pretty genius.

[lil----lil]

You & Me in the same boat. MY LAST HONDA. They got me good this time but will NEVER be a HONDA customer again. They lost a lifetime customer.

[stevennevins]

Where have you been for the past 18 months?

[JC-A]

I change my oil every 5, 000 miles rather than at the recommend mileage. Also, I use 91octane for better burn-off. No guarantee this will help much, but it’s better than whining about getting screwed-over by Honda. Gonna give performance spark plugs a try.

[jimkofron]

Compared 2018 Accord with 2018 Toyota Camry. Honda had 1.5 turbo charged engine with CVT transmission. Toyota had 2.5 liter naturally aspirated engine and 8 speed automatic. Have the Camry in my driveway.

[herb]

Oil dilution is a combination of a few things, high pressure, direct injection, and others, it will happen to any vehicle at different degrees, temp, running time before engine stop, temperature, etc... but too much is not "normal" and should be corrected, some of you guys will increase your out of pocket expenses by more frequent oil changes, some will try to fight the manufacturer, good luck with that. The best thing a consumer can do to force a change is not to buy the product that is not living up to your expectations. I got rid of my wife's Accord (2006) special order, she dumped 25k on that car a long time ago, the car didn't have 100K miles and the maintenance cost was out of control, things like engine vibration, oil burn, disk brake rotors change every 2 years, transmission slipping, all I got to say I have owned cars and the only thing I did was the routine maintenance and wear and tear replacement, like tires, brake pads, oil and 1 battery after owning the vehicle (150K Nissan PF) that still around and works just as new. Honda dropped the ball, not just Honda but every manufacturer out there making this engines are having the same issue, ultimately you the consumer will fork the bill(s) to keep their cars running in a decent shape, and you though you were going to save money! Don't forget to check the oil weekly and change it every month, on top of all the other things you have to remember.

[transponder]

Many combustion engines have this problem. However, the problem with this turbo engine is it take too long to warm up in colder weather. This is unfortunate because Honda makes great vehicles. Hopefully the fix will resolve this problem.

[ryansantos-srxl]

same issue but not too much fuel mix with the oil, only up to top of the orange part of the dipstick nothing on the metal part. i did the software update 2018, it warms up quicker & the heater heats up quicker but the oil dilution is the same, i service my own car, i change my oil every 5K km but not the filter then the next 5k km i change the filter. I drive the car hard once in a while when im in the hwy & it helps burn the fuel mixed with the oil. I live in Vancouver bc canada, i went on a 2 weeks road trip last summer crossed 7 diff states in the west (7k km trip) no problem its 43k km now...

[milan]

Hi, Do you have any update on this three-part series?

The dilution is well documented and acknowledged by Honda. Engine oil dilution may lead to 1) overfilling 2) lowers oil viscosity. It's bad luck for those who bought this car including me. So, let us try fixing the problem. 

Recently, I raised my car and found that there were some oil residues outside the engine. I traced it back to engine seams. Such could be due to high-pressure build-up, secondary to oil dilution. The oil levels were way up above the 'upper mark' on the dipstick, just like what you showed in the video. So, I was thinking to change the oil by myself and refill it just above the lower mark on the dipstick and see whether that helps. Have you tried this? Do you suggest anything different based on your experience?

[mootsym]

The dilution issue-

I know this is a small % of 700k Accords sold in the states, so chances are low.. but again, why some 1.5L Accords and not others? That's my main question. If all Accords are tuned the same, and the tuning difference is why it's not as prevalent on Accords compared to CR-Vs and some Civics, then why does it occur on some and not all 1.5L Accords?



Is this something people notice rather quickly? within the 3yr/36k warranty? (not that Honda does anything about it), perhaps the first winter?

If it takes time, some longer than others, .. why is this? Is there something mechanical that breaks down and allows this phenomenon to occur after whatever time-related process occurs? I'm aware of why the fuel mixes with the oil. I'm just trying to make sense of it. Under 200 people on car complaints and probably the same amount of people on youtube with the issue on Accords. Then there's all the people that have the issue and aren't aware, and/or don't post it online.


Should we run the cars harder in colder weather to warm it up faster and burn off fuel vapors?


I'd greatly appreciate responses.



I have more confidence a slightly used 2017 Accord coupe would be more reliable near 200k miles, but I just want that B-pillar closer to my side in the rare chance I'm in a side collision. That pillar is much stronger than the door. My stupid accident has made me hyper-sensitive about safety that I'm downloading and comparing NHTSA tests. I know it's obnoxious, but I can't help but "feel safer" in the new sedan. And I won't get a 2017 sedan because it received "A" for cage and 4 stars instead of 5 on some front ratings.

Then I compare the chances of being T-boned compared to say.. I go to floor it on the highway to get around a truck that doesn't see me .. and the turbo blows up or something.. hard to say which is more likely to happen and result in injury or fatality.



I've also read on here about the steering having issues of getting tight on long trips, the car slamming its brakes on highways, the safety sense freaking out. Again, probably 1% of all the cars may have these issues.. just don't want it to be mine and put my family at risk. Won't have to worry about any of that on a 2017.. but that B-pillar. And I assume those scary issues wouldn't happen if turning the safety tech off every time I start the car, perhaps not using ACC.