I wanted to get some advice from you guys on a situation I'm facing. Last week my oil light came on. I turned off the car and then restarted it and it went away, but when I returned home and checked the oil, I discovered that it was 2 quarts low! When I took it into the dealer the next day, they checked for leaks and didn't find any. The manager then explained that the tech that checked out my car upon delievery (Dec 2004) was later fired for incompetance, so he thinks that the oil level was probably not checked. I had earlier noticed that my tires were grossly overinflated upon delievery, so this probably shouldn't have surprised me. In any case, it sounds like I've been driving with a very low oil level for 5000 miles and 7 months. Even worse, this is essentially the entire break-in period. The service rep said to bring it in again next week and that it they don't find a leak they will make a note in my service records in case the engine gives me trouble in the future. Now that I've given the background, I've got two questions:

1 - How much wear and/or damage did this probably cause?
2 - What should I ask the dealer to do about it?

I know I'm going to get a few "you should check your oil level at least once a month" comments, and I can't argue with that, but I bought a reliable, well-built car from a dealership that has won all kinds of service awards, so I expected that something like this shouldn't happen. Thanks for your input.

 

The oil light is designed to come on before the lack of oil causes engine damage. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Still, since the problem was directly caused by the dealer I would ask them to extend your warranty on all engine parts.

 

TexasTSX,

1) If you haven't changed the oil already, pull a sample of it when you change it have it analyzed, along with professional interpretation by Dyson Analysis. They charge $40 for a test that includes interpretation. (Blackstone Labs)

This will show how much abnormal wear has occurred.

2) Of course, the dealer is going to say its fine, I'm sure. The oil analysis report will be your evidence, if any abnormal wear to the engine has been done.

Michael

 

By experience, I would tell you that you probably left the dealership with the right amount of oil in it, but you burned it along, which is apparently normal for the K24A2, especially during break-in. No worries, 2 qts isn't dramatic. As long as you add oil as soon as the oil light flashes, you are ok. It is there to warn you before the engine runs below it's tolerances.

 

"you probably left the dealership with the right amount of oil in it, but you burned it along, which is apparently normal for the K24A2, especially during break-in. No worries, 2 qts isn't dramatic. As long as you add oil as soon as the oil light flashes, you are ok. It is there to warn you before the engine runs below it's tolerances"

Er...if one left the dealership with the right amount of oil, and burnt TWO quarts of it. Does that not suggest engine trouble then? Would one not be more concerned if TWO quarts of oil is "burnt," as opposed to a "incompetent" mechanic who initial put too little oil in the first place?

Lisa

 

I'd tend to think the same thing, but breakin does induce additional oil burn naturally, and even after the engine has settled in, Acura considers that one qt every 1000miles is within tolerances for the K24A2.

I usually always have to add at least 2, if not 4 quarts between oil changes for mine.

 

FWIW, it pays to check the oil level and tire pressures and not trust it to someone else. Dealerships and garages often don't get the best quality folks to do "mundane" chores like this. You can also bet the car probably isn't well-aligned when you buy it either.