Here's the issue: When I bought my 92 civic in september 2008 @113k, I was having no problems with oil. I got the car and immediately did an oil change, using castrol gtx 5w-30. I wasnt losing oil at all. But then around @135K, I started noticing that I was losing oil every oil change, about 1 quart or two. I'd check the ground and there was oil leaking. So then around 147K when it was time for an oil change, I changed the valve cover gaskets and seals as well. No more oil leak, BUT about 2K miles later, I noticed that I was still losing or burning oil. Later at around 153K, I switched to full synthetic, mobil 1 10w-30. After another 2K miles, I just checked outside this morning after using the car, and noticed there was no oil on the dipstick.

-so the question is, what could be causing this, and is it normal with aging civics? whats the best oil to use at that kind of mileage(155K)....i want to keep this car for as long as it will last, but dont want to have the worries of losing oil all the time.

 

Have you tried cleaning all the old oil on the engine so that you can easily see where any fresh oil is possibly leaking?

If there are no external leaks, then you are burning oil in the cylinders. Do you see any blue smoke in the exhaust? Compression test the cylinders with and without the addition of a teaspoon of oil.

 

i had a full motor flush done @ 130K. i dont see any blue smoke in the exhaust and dont see any leaks on the ground

 

I meant that you should try cleaning the outer surface of the engine to make it easier to see fresh leaks.

 

no oil on the ground....
like mr RonJ stated clean the outside of your block.
put more oil in it.
then turn your car on.
let it run, maybe drive it around the block a few times.
then cafully inspect your engine block
around the valve cover
oil pan gasket
oil breather box
check everything.
find your leak and if there isnt one i would imagine you have to be burning oil.
if you are, your rings are more then likley getting old..

 

Some leaks only leak at higher rpm's so sometimes they won't leave a puddle in your driveway. Oil can enter your cylinders 3 different ways. You can have worn rings which should show up with a compression test. You could have worn valve guide seals, which would somke more when the engine is first started and little if any a few minutes after cranking. And, oil can be sucked into the intake manifold through a bad pcv valve. The first thing I would do is replace the pcv valve. It's cheap and easy to replace. if you want to check the pcv valve, take it out and shake it. You should hear a clear rattle. If you don't the valve is stuck allowing oil to be sucked into the intake system.

 

Old thread. And don't forget the head gasket.