Honda Accord engine/oil issue

c montgomery

Hello all,

I was reversing into a spot today when smoke started spewing from my engine. I popped the hood and the smell was of oil/diesel.
I checked the oil level with the dip and found that it was bone dry.
Car is due a service and was booked in for next Monday. I am 200km over the service due milage. No smoke from engine or exhaust before today.
I went to a garage (non honda) and they told me my car would take 5 liters so after buying the right oil I put in 3.5 litres and checked the level, I was way above the max indication, by about an inch.
I'm thinking there must have been oil in the car already but at a level below the bottom of the dip.

My car is a diesel honda accord 2010.

So my question is should I get it towed to the garage or is overfilling the oil ok if I'm only driving a short distance, about 5km? Anyone see this before?

I'm hoping the cause of the smoke was the lack of oil, in January like everyone else the last thing I need is another bill.

Thanks

Atlantic Dawn

Did you check the level straight away or wait a while for it to settle? When you add oil it might take 15-20 mins to properly settle for a reading. There's a chance it's a little lower than where you think. A full fill on that engine is 5.5 litres but when the oil is below dipstick there could still be 3 litres or more left in it. If it was me I would drive it there, just take it easy and don't go about 2k revs. Is there a chance you damaged the sump of the car when reversing in and put a hole in it?

http://applications.castrol.com/oilselector/en_gb/c/recommendation?vehicleType=cars&manufacturer=honda&model=accord-cu-cw-%282008-%29&modelType=accord-2-2i-dtec-%28110-kw%29-%282008-2012%29

Stheno

Is it the 2.2 diesel engine?

amikoalien2

c montgomery wrote: »

Hello all,

I was reversing into a spot today when smoke started spewing from my engine. I popped the hood and the smell was of oil/diesel.
I checked the oil level with the dip and found that it was bone dry.
Car is due a service and was booked in for next Monday. I am 200km over the service due milage. No smoke from engine or exhaust before today.
I went to a garage (non honda) and they told me my car would take 5 liters so after buying the right oil I put in 3.5 litres and checked the level, I was way above the max indication, by about an inch.
I'm thinking there must have been oil in the car already but at a level below the bottom of the dip.

My car is a diesel honda accord 2010.

So my question is should I get it towed to the garage or is overfilling the oil ok if I'm only driving a short distance, about 5km? Anyone see this before?

I'm hoping the cause of the smoke was the lack of oil, in January like everyone else the last thing I need is another bill.

Thanks

I would not drive it
Dont even start it if the oil is way above

Drain some out
Too much oil is as bad as too little

c montgomery

Thanks

Yes 2.2 engine

Turned off the engine straight away after seeing the smoke.
Left the oil settle for 2 hours and checked level again, about an inch above max still.

Atlantic Dawn

What caused your initial problem rather than the correct level of oil in it now would be the main concern.

c montgomery

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

What caused your initial problem rather than the correct level of oil in it now would be the main concern.

I was hoping it was the lack of oil but I think I'm being optimistic on that

trabpc

Just because it didnt show on stick did not mean it was empty. You should have topped up a little at a time and re check. Better not drive until sorted. The accord is know to burn oil if incorrect grade oil is used not to mention early wear of chain. The 03 to 08 ictdi should only run on 0w30. Not sure on the newer model. But i say wrong oil caused your low oil issue. I had a mechanic once who thought that 0w30 should not be used, so he used what he though best. Result new chain and burnt 1 litre between services. Got chain and mechanic replaced at 200k and has ran perfectly since on 0w30 and no burning of oil. At 280k now. Ask you mechanic what oil he uses. Thats where id start.

Just to add i serviced myself 2 months ago and it took 5.9 litres of fully synthetic 0w30 to fill from empty-2005 model

JohnBoy26

trabpc wrote: »

Just because it didnt show on stick did not mean it was empty. You should have toped up a little at a time and re check. Better not drive until sorted. The accord is know to burn oil if incorrect grade oil is used not to mention early wear of chain. The 03 to 08 ictdi should only run on 0w30. Not sure on the newer model. But i say wrong oil caused your low oil issue. I had a mechanic once who thought that 0w30 should now be used so he used what he though best. Result new chain and burnt 1 litle beween services. Got chain and mechanic replaced at 200k and has ran perfectly since on 0w30 and no burning of oil. At 280k now. Ask you mechanic what oil he uses. Thats where id start.

The chains don't go because of the wrong oil. It's a design issue.

c montgomery

trabpc wrote: »

Just because it didnt show on stick did not mean it was empty. You should have toped up a little at a time and re check. Better not drive until sorted. The accord is know to burn oil if incorrect grade oil is used not to mention early wear of chain. The 03 to 08 ictdi should only run on 0w30. Not sure on the newer model. But i say wrong oil caused your low oil issue. I had a mechanic once who thought that 0w30 should now be used so he used what he though best. Result new chain and burnt 1 litle beween services. Got chain and mechanic replaced at 200k and has ran perfectly since on 0w30 and no burning of oil. At 280k now. Ask you mechanic what oil he uses. Thats where id start.

Cheers
Been getting it serviced in honda main dealers since I got it 4 years ago so I'm guessing their using the right oil.

I kinda pissed I didn't do as you suggest and top it up little by little but when the dip was dry and engine smoking I presumed it was empty.

Stheno

c montgomery wrote: »

Cheers
Been getting it serviced in honda main dealers since I got it 4 years ago so I'm guessing their using the right oil.

I kinda pissed I didn't do as you suggest and top it up little by little but when the dip was dry and engine smoking I presumed it was empty.

Do you not check your oil between services?

c montgomery

Stheno wrote: »

Do you not check your oil between services?

Never,😨

Dcmb1984

Yip. Ive a 2010 ictdi Accord and its 0 w 30 ONLY. The oil is important in all engines but the Honda Accords run on 0 w 30 strictly. The fact they have a timing chain its very important the oil is changed every 20,000 km. It really is the life of this particular engine.

trabpc

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

The chains don't go because of the wrong oil. It's a design issue.

I put my money on the oil. Have car 8 years. Chain fault not as widespread as n47 but its possibly a bit of both- incorrect oil and issues with the 03 to 06 engine

trabpc

c montgomery wrote: »

Cheers
Been getting it serviced in honda main dealers since I got it 4 years ago so I'm guessing their using the right oil.

I kinda pissed I didn't do as you suggest and top it up little by little but when the dip was dry and engine smoking I presumed it was empty.

Yep im guessing they used correct oil too. Strang why it would drop so low. Since i got chain done i rarely(maybe evey 6000k) check level either as it never-burns a drop.

Stheno

c montgomery wrote: »

Never,😨

Seriously? Now I'm a former Alfa owner and that would be heresy, but I check the oil on my petrol accord every month at least.

JohnBoy26

trabpc wrote: »

I put my money on the oil. Have car 8 years. Chain fault not as widespread as n47 but its possibly a bit of both- incorrect oil and issues with the 03 to 06 engine

Afaik Honda had to change the design after 05 because of the timing chain issue. I think it still happens cars newer than 05 though. This issue effects cars with full main dealer service histories too so I doubt if oil is the main cause of failure on these.

Of course neglecting oil changes will have a negative impact on the life of the chain, but that is the same for every car with a chain, not just the accord

trabpc

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Afaik Honda had to change the design after 05 because of the timing chain issue. I think it still happens cars newer than 05 though. This issue effects cars with full main dealer service histories too so I doubt if oil is the main cause of failure on these.

Of course neglecting oil changes will have a negative impact on the life of the chain, but that is the same for every car with a chain, not just the accord

Interesting, wasn't aware of any chain issues after 06 facelift and new 08 onwards model.

JohnBoy26

Stheno wrote: »

Seriously? Now I'm a former Alfa owner and that would be heresy, but I check the oil on my petrol accord every month at least.

To be fair It's not something many people do, or think to do either. Older cars had much shorter service intervals so having to top up between services probably wasn't as common as it is in some cars these days.

Still it is good practice to check it now and again.

JohnBoy26

trabpc wrote: »

Interesting, wasn't aware of any chain issues after 06 facelift and new 08 onwards model.

The 08 model has the newer dtec engine. I was referring to the icdti in the previous model tbh.

c montgomery

Stheno wrote: »

Seriously? Now I'm a former Alfa owner and that would be heresy, but I check the oil on my petrol accord every month at least.

Ya I know, mistake in hindsight, will be checking in future

trabpc

Good luck and hopefully its only a minor issue. Let us know the outcome. Have u much kms up? Mine won't go forever and will consider your model when its time to upgrade.

Stheno

c montgomery wrote: »

Ya I know, mistake in hindsight, will be checking in future

Might not be, as an alfa owner it got checked every week!

I got freaked out at how little my accord consumed oil wise!

c montgomery

trabpc wrote: »

Good luck and hopefully its only a minor issue. Let us know the outcome. Have u much kms up? Mine won't go forever and will consider your model when its time to upgrade.

190k km,

Ya hopefully it's something minor, will keep you posted

Zcott

I've the 2.2 cdti in the Civic and it runs on 0w30 but still will use a litre between services, maybe more. Now at 153k miles.

CJhaughey

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

The 08 model has the newer dtec engine. I was referring to the icdti in the previous model tbh.

08 was changeover from the old ICTDI to the IDTEC.
car could be either TBH.

JohnBoy26

CJhaughey wrote: »

08 was changeover from the old ICTDI to the IDTEC.
car could be either TBH.

Sorry I forgot to put on after the 08. The op's car is 2010.

walus

c montgomery. I would recommend draining the excess oil as it may cause the pressure build up in the crankcase which in turn will blow the seals.
How many miles ago was the car serviced? I'm asking as burning half the amount of oil between the intervals is not normal. Unless the crankcase breather (PCV) is blocked and due to the pressure the engine seals are leaking and dripping oil which caused to level to drop below minimum. The smoke that you are describing - is it from the exhaust or from or under the engine compartment?

c montgomery

Hi walus, the smoke was coming from what looked like an exhaust in the engine.

c montgomery

Update

Started the car today and let it idle for a few minutes, no smoke and no odd noises .

Has a recovery vehicle organised so had to drive my car about 1km to a spot where we could get it on the truck. Car sounded fine all the way.

Cars in honda garage now so fingers crossed it's not damaged.

Thanks for all the help and ill keep you posted.

amikoalien2

Hopefully should be fine

tabby aspreme

Have an 08 accord cdti , engine has always got 0/30 castrol and would need 2 litres between oil changes.

The timing chain tension is governed by the oil pressure in the cdti engine which results in the chain being stretched if the incorrect oil is used especially in cold weather

CJhaughey

tabby aspreme wrote: »

Have an 08 accord cdti , engine has always got 0/30 castrol and would need 2 litres between oil changes.

The timing chain tension is governed by the oil pressure in the cdti engine which results in the chain being stretched if the incorrect oil is used especially in cold weather

The timing chain/oil pump chain tensioners in the late N22A1 engine are hydraulic pressure units that are self pressurised, it doesn't depend on engine oil pressure to tension the chain.
You install the tensioner and remove a pin that locks the piston back.
Many Japanese cars use a similar system for belts and chains.
The early N22 had a ratchet type tensioner that wasn't as effective as the revised unit.
You can see the green locking pins in the tensioners below.

trabpc

Thanks CJ, Intresting. I take it the warranty work honda completed on the gen 7 models inc my own put in the newer type of chain rather than just replace same?

Ill be quoting that engine code on boards again.ðŸ˜႒

CJhaughey

I am sure that warranty work would have involved all new parts, the ratchet type was discontinued not long after the first engines afaik, the main problem wasn't the actual tensioner itself but the guides which were revised to have a larger surface area on which the chain runs, its usually the oil pump chain which gave the issue more so then the cam chain.

Dcmb1984

c montgomery wrote:

Ya hopefully it's something minor, will keep you posted

c montgomery wrote:

190k km,

Any update on what caused your problem?