2002 Accord Oil consumption

It does depend on how and when you check.


And have you checked the throttle body yet? That's not rocket science
either. There are only a few places your oil could possibly go.

 

With no visible leaks and blue smokes, leaky valve guide seals come to mind.
Had that problem with my 78 Civic. Difficult to check on that though. I
suppose I can just change the PCV valve just in case it is defective and
sucking out oil fumes excessively but not stuck open. Just checked the
throttle body and it is pristine.

 

My personal guideline is:

Over 3000 mi./qt = completely normal
2000 - 3000 mi/qt = a little high, but no cause for concern
1000 - 2000 mi/qt = excessive, but not unreasonable
500 - 1000 mi/qt = problem needs attention
Less than 500 mi/qt = fix it or junk it now


My '94 GS-R was in the 2500 range when I got it with 45K on it. I
change the oil and OEM filter twice a year with Mobil 1 5W-30. About
5000 - 9000 mi. per change. All other service by the book except
valve adjustments about half as often as recommended. I drive it very
hard. Never had any mechanical problems with the engine and it still
hits the 8300 rpm rev limiter if you aren't careful.. Oil consumption
has increased to about 1700 mi/qt. Current milage is 144K. I think
hard driving and dirty oil tend to increase consumption. This oil
consumption rate is not of concern to me.

Now if I had a gently driven, two-year-old Accord and it burned
2000mi/qt I would be unhappy. If it was 1500mi/qt I would be
insistent on some compensation. The problem is that Honda (like most
manufacturers AFAIK) consider 1000mi/qt. as the acceptable limit. It
is acceptable from a purely mechanical point of view (i.e. too soon to
overhaul the engine) but not acceptable on a car which is almost out
of warranty.

This isn't a common complaint on a new Honda and you have to get them
to admit that your car is not normal even if it is *only* burning 1200
mi/qt.

 

Leaky valve seals will manifest themselves as a puff of blue smoke on
startup from cold. Valve seal leakage is typical of a car that has been
neglected.

Any oil smoke presnt in the exhaust will be consumed by the cat until your
consumption approaches 200-300 miles per quart.

See above.

That's not where the oil would enter. It would be the crankcase breather.
And in that case it would be visible in the air pipe and the throttle body.

If no oil in the throttle body, then either it has recently been cleaned or
you have neither excessive blowby nor a plugged PCV valve.