Oil Level Gunked Engine Problem

[rayc325]

Hi,

My EX35 was dying intermittently for no reason so I took it in to be checked. I found out my ex35 hasn't had an oil change in 18k miles so the oil pressure was low. I asked why NONE of the reminders went off and the adviser said "well that doesn't matter now, we have a gunked up engine." apparently the "service engine light doesn't come on until the engine oil is down to 1 quart left?? and the reminder didn't come on either or I would have changed the oil..I have it changed religiously on all my cars...always have.

If the flush doesn't take care of it I need a new valve cover or timing chain cover for $2700...this sound right?

Thanks

[XIS]

are you saying you bought it used and it didn't have an oil change for 18K miles - or you just forgot to change it because the car didn't 'remind' you?

is your valve cover caked with burned oil and sludge?

[jmann]

[Tasman]

I cannot even comment on this one.....

....other than to say the oil change and filter replacement reminders are something the owner has to set (see 2-26 of the manual).

[Hono]

My head starts to hurt just thinking how many months, nay years, that oil has been happily congealing in your EX's oil pan...

Sounds as if you may be in some way related to an intern who worked for me an number of years back (circa 1970). Her moniker was Bev, but all her co-workers called her "Crazy Bev" for reasons best not disclosed...

One day Bev came to work and was complaining to everyone that her new husband (she'd just got married) wanted to sell her car. Turns out there was a bit of a story there that subsequently saw the light of day...

When Bev graduated from the college her father had brought her a new 'Stang convertible. Almost three years, and some 45K miles, later her newly acquired husband asked Bev when the next oil and filter change was due on her Mustang...

Bev fessed up to her fellow workers saying she didn't know what to tell him because she didn't know one had to change the oil (or service the car for that matter). Bev also said that whenever the low oil light came on she simply added more oil until the light went out...

[Avalanche325]

Your tag line explanes it all.

Really, you didn't change the oil for 18,000 miles and it's the car's fault? Plus you never checked your oil to see that it was a quart low.....two quarts low....three.....four?

I can't imagine that valve covers or the timing chain covers would need to be replaced. They can simply be cleaned. Cam and crank bearings are a different story.

If you didn't wipe a bearing, you will probably be OK.

Check your oil every other time you fill up.

[rayc325]

You are all right! I am ashamed of myself. Although this is my wife's car and I wasn't paying attention.. I have always, in every car I have always owned, changed the oil and filter on a regular basis. I even stressed the importance of this to my daughters. This one got away from me, but I cannot believe the vehicle reminders did not ever come on. I would not have set the oil reminder for more than 7,500 miles...and there should have been a reminder for the various service intervals. Oh well, live and learn..

[CDNicecube]

Hey, sh_t happens.

My reminder is set to 6.500 KM (not miles). But it seems to be "On" automatically.

[Tasman]

Everyone has some issue that costs $$ that we wished we could do over. Just have to suck it up and pay the tab if it gets to it. A life's lesson. When I took delivery of our EX, the salesperson set the service reminder to have a oil change at 2,900 miles. I cannot speak with experience on this function as I have not reached that mileage after owning it for eight months. I will definitely watch out for it.

[Avalanche325]

You took some heat well. You're a good sport.

I notice that not many people actually check their oil anymore. True, most cars don't "use" any oil. But it can show you if it is getting dirty. Synthetic oil can also give you some insurance for longer intervals.

My reminders have worked so far.

[canuck99]

Did you have any luck getting your car fixed?

[rayc325]

Yes, I had to have the VTCs changed. Cost about $1,600 to have it done. It was causing low oil pressure at the top of the engine so the engine would just die intermittently...no warning lights at all even though the oil was 2.5 quarts low..I won't forget again..


PS: while the were doing that they noticed that the engine drive belt was frayed AND the front sway bar bushings were cracked so those were replaced under warranty.

[Avalanche325]

I am glad you got it fixed up. Belt replaced under warranty....that is pretty impressive.

I would reccommend a very short change interval this time. Then go back to normal intervals. I would shift to synthetic if you are using dyno oil. Also keep a close check on the oil level to see if you have any consumption. Remember, that light is oil pressure not level.

I hope all of you troubles are behind you.