Low oil after switching to mobil1.
#1
UB6IB9
Thread Starter
Low oil after switching to mobil1.
A litle while ago I switched to mobil1 synthetic oil(my car had aprox53k miles)
I just checked the oil level thhis morning before and after starting the car and it's way below the "low" point of the dip stick.Is this typical? Someone said that this should be expected when you switch to synthetic but it gets better with the following oil changes,i hope he's right.So what should i do?A:change the oil and filter B:add some oil.
I just checked the oil level thhis morning before and after starting the car and it's way below the "low" point of the dip stick.Is this typical? Someone said that this should be expected when you switch to synthetic but it gets better with the following oil changes,i hope he's right.So what should i do?A:change the oil and filter B:add some oil.
#2
'99 Acura 3.2TL
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i think the oil is not as thick, thus making it easier for it to leak through gaskets... but i also think there's some kind of substance in the oil that's suposed to "seal" the gaskets...
anyone else??
anyone else??
#3
2010 TL SH-AWD
When you change to the synthetic oil did you check the oil level after you start the engine or before you start the engine? Because the oil filter will take some of the oil and will lower your oil level if you checked it before you start the engine and not knowing it until now.
As far as " Not as thick oil." Thats why they have diffrent weights on oil(including synthetic), but factory suggested 5-20w which is really thin to me. And on a 53k mile car your seals should be good.
As far as " Not as thick oil." Thats why they have diffrent weights on oil(including synthetic), but factory suggested 5-20w which is really thin to me. And on a 53k mile car your seals should be good.
#4
UB6IB9
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by S power
When you change to the synthetic oil did you check the oil level after you start the engine or before you start the engine? Because the oil filter will take some of the oil and will lower your oil level if you checked it before you start the engine and not knowing it until now.
As far as " Not as thick oil." Thats why they have diffrent weights on oil(including synthetic), but factory suggested 5-20w which is really thin to me. And on a 53k mile car your seals should be good.
As far as " Not as thick oil." Thats why they have diffrent weights on oil(including synthetic), but factory suggested 5-20w which is really thin to me. And on a 53k mile car your seals should be good.
The thing is that i don't see smoke coming from my exhaust,just that the tips are a litle black.
#5
Senior Moderator
I never noticed a drop when i switched. Mine even after 15k of use on the oil isnt down any oil.
How many miles do you have on the oil? If not many top it off and keep an eye on it
How many miles do you have on the oil? If not many top it off and keep an eye on it
#6
2010 TL SH-AWD
I would just add some oil and see if the problem still persist then change oil & filter. Black carbon in the exhaust is common on all new and old cars. If seals are worn it is more prone to leak through at high revs. Maybe have someone drive behind you and floor your car?
#7
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by S power
I would just add some oil and see if the problem still persist then change oil & filter. Black carbon in the exhaust is common on all new and old cars. If seals are worn it is more prone to leak through at high revs. Maybe have someone drive behind you and floor your car?
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#8
You checked the oil when the engine was cold? Did you check to see there was no leak around the oil filter. Did you flush the engine when you changed the oil?
Fill it up again & watch it closely. If you have no leaks & your obviously not burning oil & you continue to "consume" oil, go to a 5/30 or use another synthetic like motul or amsoil. I switched to amsoil @68K & with 10K on the oil I havnt used any at all...not visually negligible.
Fill it up again & watch it closely. If you have no leaks & your obviously not burning oil & you continue to "consume" oil, go to a 5/30 or use another synthetic like motul or amsoil. I switched to amsoil @68K & with 10K on the oil I havnt used any at all...not visually negligible.
#9
UB6IB9
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by optomos
You checked the oil when the engine was cold? Did you check to see there was no leak around the oil filter. Did you flush the engine when you changed the oil?
Fill it up again & watch it closely. If you have no leaks & your obviously not burning oil & you continue to "consume" oil, go to a 5/30 or use another synthetic like motul or amsoil. I switched to amsoil @68K & with 10K on the oil I havnt used any at all...not visually negligible.
Fill it up again & watch it closely. If you have no leaks & your obviously not burning oil & you continue to "consume" oil, go to a 5/30 or use another synthetic like motul or amsoil. I switched to amsoil @68K & with 10K on the oil I havnt used any at all...not visually negligible.
#10
UB6IB9
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by fsttyms1
you wont see any thing driving behind. if it was burning bad enough to see you would see it just by reving the engine
#11
UB6IB9
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by fsttyms1
I never noticed a drop when i switched. Mine even after 15k of use on the oil isnt down any oil.
How many miles do you have on the oil? If not many top it off and keep an eye on it
How many miles do you have on the oil? If not many top it off and keep an eye on it
#14
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by 1st timer
I had my girlfriend stay behind me and then i floored it,she noticed slight puff of smoke for a second and then it was gone.Can this be bad?
Top off the oil and continue to drive. Check it again in another 2000 miles to see if its down again
#15
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Originally Posted by 1st timer
I checked the oil after starting the car when i changed the oil and it was good.
The thing is that i don't see smoke coming from my exhaust,just that the tips are a litle black.
The thing is that i don't see smoke coming from my exhaust,just that the tips are a litle black.
That is a bad time to check the oil level. You need to give it a fair amount of time after the engine has been running or it will give you an unreliable reading. You should drive the car until temp is normal for a few minutes, then walk away. Oil level should be checked w/ egnine cold on a level surface as mentioned earlier. Also it takes some time to fill up the filter too, maybe a minute or 2 for it to fully saturate.
When youstart the car and then accelerate, you will always see a some light black smoke, mixed with some white stuff that whisps away and goes away once up to temp. Yup, its steam. The blackish stuff once you mash the pedal from idle to 5k is an overly rich mixture. Dont go crazy, that is normal too. You want a slightly rich mixture during sudden acceleration for engine cooling. Hence the accelerator pumps on old carbs. An oil burning engine gives off this "thick" bluish dark grey smoke and an odor you cant mistake, pretty much the same for syn or conventional oils.
In short, add oil and dont flip. Check it in a few hundred. Your car sounds like its ok.
#16
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by 1st timer
A litle while ago I switched to mobil1 synthetic oil(my car had aprox53k miles)
I just checked the oil level thhis morning before and after starting the car and it's way below the "low" point of the dip stick.Is this typical? Someone said that this should be expected when you switch to synthetic but it gets better with the following oil changes,i hope he's right.So what should i do?A:change the oil and filter B:add some oil.
I just checked the oil level thhis morning before and after starting the car and it's way below the "low" point of the dip stick.Is this typical? Someone said that this should be expected when you switch to synthetic but it gets better with the following oil changes,i hope he's right.So what should i do?A:change the oil and filter B:add some oil.
#18
Originally Posted by 1st timer
A litle while ago I switched to mobil1 synthetic oil(my car had aprox53k miles)
I just checked the oil level thhis morning before and after starting the car and it's way below the "low" point of the dip stick.Is this typical? Someone said that this should be expected when you switch to synthetic but it gets better with the following oil changes,i hope he's right.So what should i do?A:change the oil and filter B:add some oil.
I just checked the oil level thhis morning before and after starting the car and it's way below the "low" point of the dip stick.Is this typical? Someone said that this should be expected when you switch to synthetic but it gets better with the following oil changes,i hope he's right.So what should i do?A:change the oil and filter B:add some oil.
This is usually caused by the other oil having more effective cleaning additives in the oil and you might have some dirt build up on the pinston rings which will clean out and everything will be back to normal.
It should be back to normal after the second or third time you service the oil and filter.
For now I would just suggest that you top up the oil and keep checking it. When you reach the oil service interval, drain the oil, replace the filter. Do not waste money on changing it now.
Best regards
#20
Originally Posted by 1st timer
I added about 100ml i'll check again in about 2-3 months.
That is really not much and you should not be too concerned about it.
One word of wisdom, you should check your oil every time you fill up.
This way, you can really catch if you are low on oil rapidly.
Best regards
frenchnew
#21
Dragging knees in
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How many quarts did you put in? Always check with the engine off, and a while after the engine has been shut off.
Unless the conditions under which you checked the oil levels were exactly the same both times, you will get a variation in the reading. That's why, as long as it's between the two indicator bars on the dipstick, you're ok. All cars burn oil to an extent.
Unless the conditions under which you checked the oil levels were exactly the same both times, you will get a variation in the reading. That's why, as long as it's between the two indicator bars on the dipstick, you're ok. All cars burn oil to an extent.
#22
Burning Brakes
Originally Posted by frenchnew
That is really not much and you should not be too concerned about it.
One word of wisdom, you should check your oil every time you fill up.
This way, you can really catch if you are low on oil rapidly.
Best regards
frenchnew
One word of wisdom, you should check your oil every time you fill up.
This way, you can really catch if you are low on oil rapidly.
Best regards
frenchnew
#23
Burning Brakes
....interesting. I've been using Mobil 1 5w20 for a few years and never noticed any decrease in the oil level. Recently switched to the Mobil 1 extended (yellow cap). The last few tanks, I've noticed a slight decrease in mileage. Haven't been tracking my driving too closely, so maybe it's me doing more city than normal or just getting on the throttle.
#24
Originally Posted by scottiew
This is a good idea but I've always heard its best (more accurate) to check the oil when the engine is cold and all of the oil is thus in the drain pan.
Also, the regular procedure when they service your engine oil & filter is to to start it after they changed the filter and poured the new oil in and check the oil level. They will let it run till the oil pressure lights goe's out and shutt the engine off. Then they will re-check the oil level.
If it reads between the 2 lines you are fine.
I check mine at fill-ups because my driveway is not levelled and have been doing so for the past 29 years.
Best regards
frenchnew
#26
UB6IB9
Thread Starter
This is pissing me off,when i start the car,the oil light stays on for about .5sec.
The thing is that the oil level is ok for now. Can it be burning it? I see no smoke when i accelerate or when rev it up.I'm thinking of bringing it to the stealer but i don't want to get raped.
The thing is that the oil level is ok for now. Can it be burning it? I see no smoke when i accelerate or when rev it up.I'm thinking of bringing it to the stealer but i don't want to get raped.
#28
Senior Moderator
Well if your level is normal on the dipstick then you arent loosing it. The light is normal. It DOES stay on for half a sec or so after you start the car
#29
UB6IB9
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by fsttyms1
Well if your level is normal on the dipstick then you arent loosing it. The light is normal. It DOES stay on for half a sec or so after you start the car
#30
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by 1st timer
I just added the oil that's why it's full ...for now.
OR flush the engine/oil and add new (5 quarts) of syn and drive it and check it in a few thousand miles
#31
UB6IB9
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by fsttyms1
Well drive teh car for a few more k and see what happens.
OR flush the engine/oil and add new (5 quarts) of syn and drive it and check it in a few thousand miles
OR flush the engine/oil and add new (5 quarts) of syn and drive it and check it in a few thousand miles
#34
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by spl1011
5 QUARTS.... book calls for 4.7 or so.
#35
UB6IB9
Thread Starter
I changed the oil today and i'm sending a sample to blackstone labs to get it analyzed,dealer told me regardless if it's mineral or synthetic oil you should always change it at the recomended intervals.I even called imperial oils and he told me the same.
#38
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Originally Posted by fsttyms1
yes 5 is fine. if you want to pour 4.7 out of a 5 qt jug thats fine, but 5 wont hurt it. ive been doing it for 189,000 miles now
I think we are flipping out over nothing.
#39
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Originally Posted by 1st timer
I changed the oil today and i'm sending a sample to blackstone labs to get it analyzed,dealer told me regardless if it's mineral or synthetic oil you should always change it at the recomended intervals.I even called imperial oils and he told me the same.
After all - why put yourself at risk for a customer who has paid $0 to you?
#40
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by 1st timer
I changed the oil today and i'm sending a sample to blackstone labs to get it analyzed,dealer told me regardless if it's mineral or synthetic oil you should always change it at the recomended intervals.I even called imperial oils and he told me the same.
Also what does teh dealer recomend as a recomended interval? cause honda them selves say the tl is 7500 mile intervals Hence the preprogramed Maint required light!
Ive been running 10k syn intervals and recently switched to 15k. When running standard oil i followed the recomended 7500 interval. 3000 is a waste nowdays and isnt needed.