Elle wrote:
> 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.

ok, do the breather stuff, then report back.

here's something to consider - an old "trick of the trade" is to use
some of that crappy "stop oil consumption" additive when a dealer sells
a known dud car. it works fine for a while, then, once a few months
have gone by and it's no longer a quick come-back, it breaks down and
oil consumption rises again. if consumption has been consistently high
with subsequent oil changes, and you can't chase down a problem with the
breather [remove the pcv valve and look inside the manifold for gunk
evidencing excess flow], then my money is on this being an abused motor
that's just worn. if that's the case, you're looking at living with the
consumption or coughing up for a replacement motor, depending on your
tolerance level.

does the cam appear worn? any grooves indicating lack of lube at some
point in the past?