TOTAL Oil Loss....Have I Ruined My Engine?

I bought a Honda Canada oil filter the other day and had an
interesting experience. When I told the parts guy at the local
dealership that I wanted two filters, one for my '04 accord and
another for my '92, I was informed, "they are the same filter
now...we've gone to one size for both cars." What troubled me was that
the dimensions of this new "one size fits all" Honda Canada oil filter
are actually pretty small. It would be an appropriate size for my '92,
but relatively smaller than what is usually available in other brands
for my '04. Also, this filter seemed somewhat flimsy, and was
significantly lighter in weight than a Bosch of the same size. So I'm
going to generally stick with the latter for now, but I will try K&N
at some point. Currently, I've also got an Amsoil filter on my '04.
Two interesting links on the oil filter debate (I think one of them
may be from Tegger's excellent Honda website):

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html#fram-dg8a

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters.html

- Paul S.

 

I have a 2004 and 2001 6 cyl Accords, and the filters are different
diameters.

 

I have a 2001 Odyssey (6-cylinder) and a 2003 Accord 4-cylinder. The
filters are the same. In my case, verified with American Honda, my
dealer, and several online Genuine Honda Parts retailers.


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen

 

I think the "one size" is just for the 4 cylinders. My daughter's '93 Accord
was also affected by the part change. I was dubious but the Honda counterman
said the new, smaller filter was as good as the older style. Honda has been
pretty smart with most of their materials, so I'm going with them on this.
FWIW, the OEM filter for our Toyota Prius cars is about the same size.

Mike

 

Toyota did this years ago! Two sizes fit all. One size for the smaller
engines, and one for the bigger. No problem!

 

OK....well, one vote in favor of the new protocol. I'll keep an open
mind and keep on researching. One thing is for sure -- those Amsoil
filters are not going to be a viable long term option...they are just
way too expensive at 15 bucks each. - Paul

 

OK...TWO votes in favor now. I'm already feeling less and less ripped
off. - Paul

 

My dealer sells only ONE SIZE filter for Hondas. They told me some dealers
have a huge stock of the older larger filters, but Honda only supplies one
size for them now.

G-Man

 

15400-PLM-A02 does 95% of Honda engines.

There's another size that fits a few TLs and the NSX.

 

At least that tells me it's not just a Canadian thing...the one size
is now apparently standard throughout N. America for many Hondas.
I now hear that some folks actually prefer to use an over-size filter
on their vehicles (with the proper fitting, of course). Wonder if that
would make any difference long term in terms of significantly cleaner
oil. Six an one half dozen ther other as I'm not going to try it.....
enough misadventures lately to last me the whole summer. Paul.

 

Greetings To All:

This is a brief update on the "total loss" of oil I experienced
recently with my '04 accord. Basically, I've now driven the car about
300 miles since the mishap (running the engine for 15 seconds with no
oil at all after accidentally double-gasketing the filter), and it
seems to be doing fairly well. I'm getting 33 miles to the gallon
which is not bad for a lot of in town driving, and the acceleration
and shifting are good. What's troublesome is a mild but noticeable
noise, similar to Freon gurgling in one of those old A/C units that
goes in a window, for a few seconds when I turn the car off. You can
only hear it with the hood up, standing next to the engine. This noise
is a slight metallic clanging like low pitched wind chimes, and it's
definitely coming from under the valve cover. I haven't looked at the
cam shaft lobes yet, but I may want to have a mechanic inspect them
the next time I'm ready for a valve adjustment. I did have the
serpentine accessory belt changed out as per suggestions received on
this board, just in case of oil contamination. Thanks again for all of
the helpful information and support. - Paul

 

It is very likely that you will have that noise for the next 300,000
miles.

 

That sound isn't what I'd associate with oil loss. I think fortune has
favored you this time

Mike

 

On Mon, 23 Apr 2007 15:30:57 -0700, "Michael Pardee"

Thanks, Mike...when it comes to cars, I need all the help I can get. -
Paul.

 

This is the indirect result of running the car out of oil. Because
you ran it out of oil you are now opening the hood and putting your
ear next to the engine and anxiously listening for any sign of
trouble. I think you are probably OK, but do keep an eye on the oil
level. Good luck.

 

It's almost always better to be lucky than to be good ;-)

 

Thanks....you're probably right. - Paul

 

A true statement, Mike. And to think I was going to try bleeding my
own brakes! Not any more. Maybe I could do it, maybe not, but I'm not
going to find out...not with it being such a major safety issue. I am
planning to flush out my radiator today, no problem. Along with
changing a PCV valve and an air filter. But the brakes? No way.

- Paul

 

I really don't believe 15 seconds will have done any damage. I can't blame
you for worrying, but consider this: after draining and filling the engine
and filter, it takes a LOT longer than 15 seconds for pressure to build
sufficiently to circulate, anyway! And, area that may have been damaged by
non-circulating oil probably held some oil, anyway. I wouldn't fret about
it!

I ran (actually, my stepfather, driving my car) a Corolla 1200 with about
1 qt of oil for a couple weeks! The rings needed replacing at 160,000
miles.

 

Hi - Thank you for the encouraging post. I really have gotten a lot of
reassurance on this page that I didn't screw my car up, for which I'm
quite grateful. I also think that I had a bit of luck here, as was
pointed out by another poster. I guess the real luck is that it was
just a minor thing and not (a) a major expense, or worse (b) a serious
safety issue. So I'm happy. - Paul