2001 Honda Accord EX, 4-cylinder, 165000 miles.

Checked and added oil this morning, car ran fine after drving to the airport, work and lunch but after lunch when I was pulling into parking lot the rpms dropped to below 1000 and car sputtered into my parking space. It ran normal up until that point, no lights came on as a warning and are still off when I turn key to accessory.

Last month I had my valves tested and adjusted, passed emissions. It has been consuming oil, I check and add oil every 1,000 miles or so. I park in a garage and there hasn't been any evidence of a leak.

This car as been nothing but problem for the past 4 years. It's frustrating this thing should run forever......

 

How about a sudden loss of oil? Did you check after it sputtered & stalled this time?

 

Yes, it was at the lower dot on the dip stick. I added a 2nd quart, when I started my car the next time (2 hours later) it started and idled rough for a few minutes. Once it was a little warmer the idle became smoother and by the time I got home it was running normal. At this point I'm going to have to be conscious and check the oil at every fill up. Thanks.

 

a couple of things..

first off, RPM are suppose to be below 1000 normal idling is around 700-750 rpm

if you have to add oil every 1000 miles , there is either a leak or engine is burning oil,, ( valve seal ?? rings ??)

being low on oil , it won't matter how engine runs , you can be almost totally out of oil and engine should still idle ok,, oil lite will come on, along with a knocking from lower end possibly , but that should not affect how engine runs,, ......If valve seals are leaking and oil is possibly getting to the plugs that would cause a run issue most likely misfire .....

you might have 2 separate issues ( oil usage) , engine performance issues

 

Also you gotta figure out where all that oil is going. Without dripping on the ground, I'd check for oil & antifreeze mixing. Open the radiator cap & look for brown greasy crud.

 

I understand and realize that... It dropped to zero then stalled.

I'm going to chat with my Uncle (he restores antique cars) over the weekend to see what he suggests. I'll definitely check the radiator to make it's not leaking into the antifreeze. He mentioned a product called "Restore" so I'll do some research to see what it's all about.

I agree that finding where the oil is going will be key to fixing the problem.

Thanks all....

 

Also, look at the oil dip stick for: rust on dip stick or thick/milky/nasty-looking oil.

Is the whole underside of the car, aft of the motor, covered in oil?

Talk to your Uncle about a leak down test. Before throwing Restore at the problem, it would be way better to know what the problem is.