On Sep 11, 7:18*pm, jim beam <m...@privacy.net> wrote:
> oh, and please confirm - this sudden increase in consumption - was it
> after first oil change after you bought the car? *or later than that?

It was before the first oil change that I performed. Here is the
chronology:

July 2008 -- bought car. Dealer stated that it had recently had an oil
change and that Mobil 1 synthetic was used.

August thru December 2008 -- I am sure I checked the oil level at
least once, and it was fine.

Late March 2009 -- low oil warning light was going on when I went
around curves. Had put 5k miles on car since purchase. Checked oil
level. Was way low. Replaced oil and filter. Used conventional
Pennzoil 5w30.

March thru June 2009 -- had to add about 1/3-1/2 quart of oil about
every 600 miles to keep oil in spec. Regularly went near the low mark,
and I would re-fill to 3/4 or so.

June 2009 -- replaced oil and filter, still using the conventional
Pennzoil.

August 2009 -- thinking that the oil switch was the problem, replaced
the oil and filter again, this time using Mobil 1 synthetic.

August-present 2009 -- still consuming 1/3-1/2 quart every 600 miles.

Tomorrow I will try the "common sense blow by test" you suggest. I
will then also give the breather system more attention.

Tegger, I adjusted the valves on March 12 as part of routine
maintenance and again last week as part of the valve stem seal
replacement job (rocker arm assembly must come off). I have done
several valve adjusts on Honda Civics now and doubt I messed this up.
Then again, I do not have any other explanations for the sudden
increase in oil consumption, and the March 12 valve adjustment does
coincide with about when oil consumption first seems to have become
excessive. The adjustments were done after the car sat overnight,
completely cold engine.