GWEEDOspeedo:

Apparently, the tsx tends to burn oil when vtec engages at high RPM. Half a quart in 3000 miles is not much though. I would not worry about it.

You should do things a little differently on your next oil change. Fill it all the way to the top. Put the entire 5 quarts of oil in. Don't just fill it to the middle. This will get you to the upper hash mark.


Also, be very careful about running the TSX low on oil. Even if the engine does not seize up, It has been blamed for premature Timing Chain stretching requiring expensive repairs. The timing chain runs based on the oil pressure. If it is low, it can create problems other than the traditional low oil problems common in the past.

Keep the oil level at the middle or upper mark. Everything should be fine then.

 

Honestly, the excuse of "the VTEC eats oil" is b.s. The engine should not eat oil. The only places oil can go are either around the piston seal, into the cylinder, and is burned or it leaks out of the engine through a gasket/seal. If it's leaking into the cylinder when the VTEC engages, there's a problem with the VTEC, and it would be why I had black spark plugs when my car only had 45K miles.

 

i agree g-speedo, the piston ring is to blaim. My local dealer keeps blaiming the previous owner of my car for burning oil (1 quart = 3000 miles), which is a poor excuse (not changing oil properly). They also claim "acura" wont do anything for me.... The dealer says the rings or cylinders are the problem so instead of the cylinders looking like this...

l l
l l

they look like this....

\ /
l l


sorry my picture is a little extreme, but anyways in case my not changing the oil properly oil gunk wears the engine block enough for oil to slip on by...



My question CAn Acura help me?????? although im not under warrenty, the problem did arise @ 54k miles and im currently @ 67k miles

 

I'm pretty sure I mentioned it before in this same thread, but my original engine had a bad oil burning problem. The Acura dealership replaced all seals, gaskets, and the entire piston ring set -- and the engine still burned oil (actually, more of it!).

They eventually swapped the entire block + pistons for a factory-fresh 2006 short-block and it's been perfect since then. They told me they are fairly cure the cylinders weren't perfectly straight -- going towards what rkan121 demonstrated. New piston rings will NOT cure this!!

 

curls:

so you are saying it was a manufacturing defect? The the pistons themselves were not straight?

How much oil did you burn at its worst? How many miles could you get with one quart of oil?

I am glad Acura took care of the problem for you.



PS: You know, I just noticed that you have a PWP with ebony interior. That is a nice and rare combination. I am pretty sure that in the United States, that combination was not available for the 2004 models. Only the parchment was available. Was this a Canadian only option?

 

They said the cylinder walls were possibly not parallel -- they might have been very slightly wider at the top than at the bottom (or vice-versa).

Before the initial re-build with about 80,000km on the odometer, it burned a litre every 1000km (so about 1qt every 600 miles for you Americans).
After the rebuild (hone cylidners, new piston rings, new valve seals, new headgasket, etc...), it burned it even faster - 1 litre in 800km (so about 1qt every 500 miles).
Since the new block was put in (the block has its own factory-fresh pistons, crankshaft, etc...), it doens't burn anything out of the ordinary - maybe 1/2 a litre every 8000km, which is completely normal.

Me too!



It was a CDN-only option in 2004 for sure. Maybe in 2005 as well(?). My previous car was a 1991 Integra, white exterior, black leather interior. I loved the colour combo and especially with PWP which IMO is a sophisticated and timeless pearl white... I had to find a 6MT in PWP/ebony.

 

hi lads after 6 yrs and 250,000miles my car has started to drink, eat, burn, or loose a bit of oil,i have been using fully synthetic oil 5w/ 40 shell ultra from day 1service every 7k i bought this car new,i have been advised to drop back to semi synthetic 10w/40 and see if it cures the problem

 

How did you get 250,000 miles on the car in only 6 years??? A quarter million miles?

How much oil is the car consumming?

 

I would NOT recommend going to 10w-40, that's too thick. Sure it might stop burning oil (thicker can't get past the rings as well), but it also might cause more damage if it can't get into areas that 5w-30 can get into.

A leakdown and compression test would be a place to start - it should tell you where the oil is potentially being lost/burned. From there, almost anything you do to fix it will rquire significant $. Unless its something simple like the PCV valve (about $50ish from the dealer).

I echo Miamicarfan's question: How much is it burning? (ie: 1qt every x,xxx miles)

 

Curls, I'm at the point you were before your new motor. I'm burning ~1L every 1000km, like clockwork. Car runs great otherwise, particularly since I replaced the timing chain 3 weeks ago, but it does go through a lot of oil. I wonder if anyone has solved any oil burning with a PCV replacement? I have resigned myself to just topping up the oil, but perhaps I'll try the PCV just to see if it makes any difference. FYI, I know you've been tracking these oil burning TSX's, mine is a 2004 6MT with VIN ...00494

 

Interesting - another early-run Canadian market TSX with oil burning problems.

I recall I initially did a PCV test (crimping off the hose with pliers wrapped in a rag). My PCV valve tested fine, and to this day it hasn't been replaced and seems just fine (E-test confirms it).

1L/1000km would be one hell of a screwed-up PCV valve...

Unfortunately I really suspect there was a run of bad cylinder blocks that made it to early-run 2004 TSX's, particularly in the Canadian market. Nothing I've been seeing indicates this problem can be fixed, short of a new block and pistons (aka: a shortblock) being put in.

 

For us americans challenged by the metric system, what is this the equivalent of in quarts and miles?

 

Curls:

That is so strange that it is another Canadian TSX.

I remember at least two if not three other long time members of this board who are from Canada who had oil burning issues.

They were:

1) Sauceman who used to post frequently but not anymore.

2) Curls (the one and only)

3) Also member by name of Dan Martin who I am not 100% certain but he was from Canada and I believe also had oil burning problems.


My question is this: where not these engines built in the same plant as the American TSX engines were? Werent they all built in Sayama, Japan in the same plant?

I am trying to come up with an explanation.

 

its my taxi in dublin ireland car is only drinking a liter tween last service, i just cleaned out the pcv valve see if that clears it up, car is badged 2.4 accord in ireland same as the usa acura tsx

 

if your rings are gunked, this will help, but if its a manufacturing defect then probably no.

this may be worth a try. i had to friends use this and it minimize oil consumption
http://www.auto-rx.com/

see which application fits your needs

 

A litre is a little over a quart (33.8 ounces) and 1000 kilometers is 620 miles. That's a pretty big oil appetite, and as is mentioned elsewhere here, it's just more in the continuing saga of a portion of the 04 model run (evidently mainly early models) that have more than their share of build quality problems.

 

my manual says normal oil consumption is a 1 liter per 600 miles or close on 1 quart per 1000km

 

"Normal", no, but that's the limit they set whereby they consider it a true problem or just a "oil burning car within normal tolerances".

Can you really imagine burning through TWO jugs of oil between oil changes? No. And that's exactly what I had said to the service advisors and service manager - they understood completely.

 

As Curls says the Acura oil consumption "threshold before they do something" of 1L per 1500km (~1 qt per 950 miles), is not normal just their limit. I had the comsuption test done 2 years ago and it was not quite as bad as their limit, but over the last year mine has been quite consistent at 1L / 1000K. Yes mine is another of the early run Canadian 2004's with all the known issues. I really should start a list but it pains me to think how un-Honda like this car has been and I have owned many Honda/Acura vehicles all the others were very reliable.
This car has had; clutch m/c and pedal assembly replaced due to creaking, radio replaced, later the printed circuit board for radio lights, entire A/C system (compressor, condensor, evaporator, filter) replaced Twice!('08 & '10), has the burning oil issue which I suspect caused the timing chain to stretch and jumped a tooth on the exhaust cam gear a month ago and I changed the timing chain. Oh and who can forget the black marker stain on the tan leather seats. But other than that the car runs great and is a joy to drive.

 

i totaly agree there just covering there arse as not to have to replace engines. 250k on the engine i did well before she started drinking oil. hopefully the switch to semi from fully synthetic 5w/40shell ultra to 10w/40 bardhall will cure the problem will do 5k services

 

)Agreed.... there's absolutely nothing normal about using even a quart every 1000 miles (never mind a liter every 650 or so). It's evidently just some arbitrary figure that Honda seized upon to set a limit and cover their ass. And I'm really surprised to read how loyal (or crazy.....) some 04 owners are and have been. If I had experienced just a couple of some of the problems many have had to endure, I would have been gone long ago (and unlikely to return!).

 

to be fair its the only problem i have had since new,no clutch no suspension parts and its still as tight as when it was new,considering its a taxi crashing over dublin s very bad roads i think its a credit to honda.a lot of problems related to engine ie timing chain is down to poor quality non synthetic oil in my opinion and low octane fuel ie below 95octane is another big problem hondas dont like. i got quarter millon miles and i put problem free down to using 99 octane fuel and 5w/40 shell ultra fully synthetic,also another point when i drain oil i use a flush and let the oil drain over nite, the manual says 4.2 liters, but it always takes 5.2+ to bring it to the level.

 

There's a reason that I'm here, reading this thread, and I'm not happy about it. 06MT with 122,000km.

Anyhow, I don't think I missed anyone saying that if v-teching uses oil, then how come my car has waited 4 years to start using oil, when I've been v-teching for years without using any oil?

Ok, from time to time I might have been down 1/2 litre between servicings, but it's recently shot up to 2 1/2 litres between oil changes. I have the extended waranty, but I plan on making the dealer aware of the change, and have them try to establish a baseline, including looking for leaks, and changing the plugs, etc.

I had an emissions test last week, and the car came through that squeeky clean. I guess I should also get a piece of cardboard, too.

 

have you cleaned or replace the pcv valve?

 

Hey guys,

I own a 2004 Acura TSX 6mt. It has burned about a quart of oil every 1,000m since it reached 60,000 miles. I started out running Mobile 1 5w30, but at 60k, that was almost burning a quart and a half. I switch to castrol GTX, and it stays at around a quart of consumption between changes. It now has 135,000 on it, and is in need of a second bank o2 sensor (pretty typical for o2 sensors). Vin ending in 025xxx. I fought with Acura several times on receiving a new motor. Each time, they give me an oil change, I drive the car as I normally do for 3,000 miles, and then I bring it back to them. They check the oil level, and claim my motor is with in functional parameters. Car runs perfectly otherwise. I often average 34mpg, with a high of 39mpg (for a whole tank!). The clutch is stock and still works great at 135k.

I would love to get a new motor from Acura, but Illinois Acura dealers do not receive high marks. I suspect whenever they give me an oil change that they are putting some sort of additive in there that's slowing the oil consumption down. Sounds a bit conspiracy theorist, but honestly, my car burns oil like clock work unless I'm undergoing some sort of Acura endorsed oil consumption test. I'm also waaay past any kind of warranty. I would love proof that my cylinder walls are warped.

I do all of my own service, for lack of faith, and because it costs an arm and a leg otherwise. I'd rather make my own grease prints in my paint.

 

carbonatd you hit the nail on the head. i have officially lost the battle with acura regarding my consumption issues, mostly bc the dealer failed you back me and my car claiming its not a problem. Acura Client services told me that they would only consider "loyal" acura owners. when asked what constitutes loyality. they said a customer who buys a CPO or brand new acura from a dealer with good maintence records. + a warrenty doesnt hurt either. im just gonna chalk this one up as a loss and get a TL down the road. + my TSX is getting way less MPGs than you Iv been averaging 22-25 MPG in a mixed city vs highway and have never gotten that close to 30 MPGs.

 

The car runs great and gets outstanding mileage, so w/ 135K miles, I'd suggest you just keep putting oil in it and save for a new one. My 05 still runs like new and also gets very respectable mileage (not quite up to yours, but I'd bet you that my cruising speeds are noticeably faster than yours). It has close to 132K miles on it and uses no oil between changes (at around 7K mile intervals). The car is 5 1/2 years old and I could buy a new one tomorrow (and would if I had any kind of a problem, including using the kind of oil that you are), but for a few reasons (including sentimental ones), I've held onto it. You're apparently not alone with your oil issues. It appears that a certain percentage of TSX's (especially some 04's) have abnormal oil usage concerns. Since most seem happy with their cars otherwise, I applaud those that have decided to keep them.

 

Allow me to add some reality to my previous comments. To get 32mpg, I need to drive 75-80% of the tank on the highway, between 60-70mph (althought there is a sweet spot at 79mph too!). Sometimes, it is as low as 28 in the summer. In the winter, I tend to only get 24-27mpg.

So, I was getting a code P0141. Replaced the O2 located near the cat. It's still throwing a cord, except now I'm getting a p1157 in addition. Guess it was the wrong o2.

Simba: My thoughts exactly. Putting oil in it is the cheapest solution. I will most likely get another TSX.

 

I have the same issue. 2004 TSX started using oil at 88,000 km (Canada) / 50,000 mi. Now at 111,000 km/ 69,000 mi and its getting worse. I went to Acura and we're tracking how many km it takes to go through 1L. I have to take it in today because it is down 1 L after 1100 km/700 mi. Crazy. And no, I don't drive it hard - still the first clutch etc. I read on this site about early TSX blocks having out-of-round bores. Any one else have this experience? Seems like a serious production issue.

 

Talking of which now I realize why my tools dont work well on my car LOL.

Im new to USA and the above just now reminded me hehe. The Acura requires metric tools right. My tools are imperial.DOH

 

We bought our 04 with 78k miles. The dealer changed the oil, but i am going to assume with conventional.

I have had to add oil at some point since.

I changed the oil today and i am a little short some oil.


I filled it with valvoline synthetic today and will keep an eye on it. I'll change the oil every 5k and check back.

 

During two successive service intervals I twice monitored using 2L of oil in 3,000km, then about 0.5L for the rest of those intervals. The dealer is doing a consumption test now, and after the first 1,500km (after the last oil change), the engine used 0.2L - that is, really, nothing. So, where at its worst the engine was using 1L/1,500km, it used 0.2L during the 1st part of the test, or one-fifth: well, that sounds ok....

What's different is I'm not v-teching. I'm not blasting up the highway on the way to the cottage - hey, it's winter - at any great speed, and around town there's too much snow and slush to be pushing it.

 

I just changed my oil after 6600K miles and I didn't drain an amount anywhere near what I thought I would. I probably only drained 3L maximum out of the pan... and my 'low oil pressure' light had only come on once for a brief second a day ago (that helped inspired me to want to change it).

I had poured in 1L of oil 4K miles ago as it was on the low side of the dots on the measuring stick. So, it looks like my engine (that shows no signs of leaking) ate 1.5L of oil over 4K miles.

This is quite unsettling.

 

Any news regarding whether replacing the PCV valve eliminated or reduced an oil loss problem? Mine has started to use about a quart every 2500 miles.

 

it is the PCV trust me

 

its getting blown up the PCV tube and back into the mainfold

 

BTW my car would alert me to low oil by a slight fuel cut at vtec change over 4800 on my 01cls if i let it go it would be a pronounced fuelcut then ultiamtely oil light would come on

 

Trust me, it's not always (and not likely) the PCV valve on a 2004 TSX. Before the ultimate solution was found (replace shortblock w/ new one), the dealer changed my PCV valve, they completely rebuilt the engine (rings, valve seals, all gaskets), and everything was closely monitored exactly every 1000km. Nothing fixed the problem except the new shortblock.

I actually spoke with one of the tech's at my dealer just last week about this. He wasn't around at the time mine was replaced about 5.5-6 years ago, but he's seen his fair share of them come through the shop. Every time, the only solution was a new shortblock. Apparently Honda has found that the piston rings are faulty and even with a rebuild, the new rings can't seal properly. New shortblock cures it 100% of the time.

 

hi guys just an update i switched from 5w/40 fully syn to 10w/40 semi and it has lessened the oil consumption, it now eats a liter per oil change every 5k, i get 6 liters of bardhall in local motor factors, she takes the 5 liter after i let her drain all day and every 1k she takes a quater of a liter, i could be wrong but the more ideling i do the more she drinks, were if i do a shift and am constanly on the move she drinks less.

 

put a catch can inline with the crank brether tube and the pcv and u will see just how mouch oil is blown into the intake manifold