Engine oil question--between the marks?

Asked by Snowtime May 31, 2013 at 02:57 PM about the 1998 Honda Civic EX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Oil is disappearing from my engine. I have been adding a small funnel full every week or so ... after around 75 mile of driving.

(I don't know what's happening to the oil ... it doesn't seem to be leaking while the car is parked. The dealership says the oil pan gasket is leaking but the shop that replaced that 18 mos ago says no, it's not. I just had a head gasket replaced, if that is significant.)

Today I added a little too much oil. The upper hole on the dipstick is covered, but just barely.

I don't want to drain any out because the dealership said the drain plug would barely go back in last time.

The manual says if you go over the upper mark, damage to the engine can result.

Do I have anything to worry about? It is just barely covering the upper hole on the dipstick.

And what kind of damage would too much oil do?

Thanks.

5 Answers
48,955

kbro answered 11 years ago

you would have to overfill it by alot to cause damage. you have nothing to worry about. as far as where the oil is going its hard to say. could be burning it, in the motor.

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Snowtime answered 11 years ago

Thank you, kbro! Question: someone else said it might be going to the valve guide seals, PCV valve, or piston rings. Is that what you mean by burning it in the motor, or is that something else? Thanks. I will talk to the guys who replaced the head gasket, but I want to be prepared.

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48,955

kbro answered 11 years ago

I didnt think about pcv but that is a possibility. I was thinkin rings.

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Snowtime answered 11 years ago

Thanks again. I have asked a few questions here now and I really appreciate the people who took the time to help me.

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10,085

Jonathan answered 11 years ago

off topic kinda, but i would go back to the auto shop that did the drain pan and ask them if they had trouble with the oil drain plug. the oil drain plug should not have any issues going back in. if the dealership noticed the problem why didn't they offer to replace the drain plug? probably not even $10 for the part.

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