FL5 engine oil dilution

[UCF120]

If I’m beating a dead horse, my apologies. I searched around and couldn’t really find anything pertaining to the FL5. Mainly found stuff pertaining to the SI and 1.5l engines.

Changed my engine oil today after 3000 miles. Car currently has 6000 miles and I purchased it from a friend at 3000 miles. He bought it brand new. I changed the oil when I first bought it at 3000 miles and he changed it at 1000 miles so this would be the 3rd oil change.

noticed some things that have me a bit concerned.

1) oil seemed very thin almost watery. I have never used 0w-20 before but man it just seemed way to thin when I drained it. The car was warm as I had let it sit a couple hours after driving it about 50 miles today. I used Castrol Edge 0w-20 at 3000 miles so that’s what I drained out today. Refilled with Amsoil signature series 0w-20 today. Is this normal for warm 0w-20 oil to look almost watery when draining?

2) the color of the oil was like a light brown. Wasn’t black like it was super dirty and wasn’t milky like coolant had mixed in. Checked coolant levels and they were fine and I don’t have any white smoke coming out of the tailpipe. But I’m used to oil being a dark brown almost black when I drain.

3) could definitely smell fuel in the oil. I didn’t think oil dilution was a problem for the Type R?

4) this dipstick is terrible! I cannot for the life of me accurately read it. After I refilled the oil with 5 quarts today, one side of the dipstick showed low and the other side showed just above the first dot. The owners manual says 5.7 quarts so I put 5.5 quarts. Again, one side of the dip stick showed in between the two dots (closer to the top dot) and the other side showed over the dot. So idk I just left it alone since I put about what the owners manual said to put.

can anyone chime in with what thier oil looks like after an oil change and if anything I’m saying should be of concern?

Sponsored

 

[AZCWTypeR]

I switched to Pennzoil 5W-30. All 0W-20 oils are thin, like water when warm. UK owners manual okays 5W-30 oil viscosity.

Oil dilution is generally only a problem in sub-freezing weather, and then only short trips never getting the oil warm.

CTR's having an oil/water heat exchanger helps, since the oil heats up almost as fast as the coolant. Otherwise, the oil temperature would take about 3 times longer than coolant to reach operating temperature (in normal driving).

 

[UCF120]

Appreciate the reply!
My next oil change I’ll go to 5w-30 then!
I’m in Florida so the car has never seen sub freezing weather. Hell the car has never seen below 70 degrees . Is there a reason I would be smelling fuel in the oil then?

i also can’t be positive about this because I use the same oil drain pan for several cars but I’m pretty sure I saw tiny pieces of metal shavings when I drained the oil today. That had me a bit concerned also. I know it’s probably normal for tiny metal shavings to be in the oil maybe in the first or first two oil changes but by 6000 miles I would assume that should be done with?

my car drives great but this oil change makes me think I may have an issue

 

[Jester04]

Appreciate the reply!
My next oil change I’ll go to 5w-30 then!
I’m in Florida so the car has never seen sub freezing weather. Hell the car has never seen below 70 degrees . Is there a reason I would be smelling fuel in the oil then?

i also can’t be positive about this because I use the same oil drain pan for several cars but I’m pretty sure I saw tiny pieces of metal shavings when I drained the oil today. That had me a bit concerned also. I know it’s probably normal for tiny metal shavings to be in the oil maybe in the first or first two oil changes but by 6000 miles I would assume that should be done with?

my car drives great but this oil change makes me think I may have an issue

There should be no issues, a little sparkle in the oil when it is new is normal. After 2-3 oil changes it should look normal.

Same with the transmission oil.

 

[thatonedaveguy]

You're fine.

0W-20 is a very thin oil by design. Car is still under warranty. Honda still knows how to make engines. If you really think there is an issue send some oil to an oil analysis lab- but you really don't need to.

 

[beamerciv]

Fuel smell in oil is concerning, but might just need some longer drives to clear up.

 

[UCF120]

You're fine.

0W-20 is a very thin oil by design. Car is still under warranty. Honda still knows how to make engines. If you really think there is an issue send some oil to an oil analysis lab- but you really don't need to.

There should be no issues, a little sparkle in the oil when it is new is normal. After 2-3 oil changes it should look normal.

Same with the transmission oil.

Fuel smell in oil is concerning, but might just need some longer drives to clear up.

Appreciate the responses!

I’m not sure why I’m being so paranoid about this car. Maybe because it’s the most money I’ve spent on a car lol. After this next 3000 miles I’m gonna do a lab analysis just for peace of mind. Just wanted to see your guys opinions on those concerns. Not sure how I feel about that 0w-20 being so thin. Literally looked like water coming out except it was brown. I’ve always had at least 5w-30 in my cars if not 10w-30 so it was an off putting sight to see that to say the least.

The metallic sparkles were also a bit concerning but the car is new and they weren’t big pieces at all. Very tiny and you can hardly see them unless I shined a light right on the oil. I’ll keep an eye out nonetheless

Car drives great with no issues and pulls hard so I’m assuming if there was an issue I would feel it in the drive

 

[PointByPatrol]

Gas in oil is fairly common on direct injection engines, and you'll also get slightly increased blow-by because of the turbo, which can exacerbate the effect. Longer trips and spirited driving can help reduce the fuel content in the oil. Frequent oil changes aren't a bad idea either. Manufacturers have significantly increased their oil change intervals for two reasons. 1) cost of ownership (people now-a-days seem to really care about this) 2) The oil available today is better. That being said, I still don't, and likely won't ever agree with 7,500/8,000/10,000 mile oil change intervals. In my opinion this leads you down the dark path of oil consumption for the future of the engine. I change my oil early and often.

 

[V3N0M_VZL4]

You can bump up the viscosity of the motor oil for, I'm using in my 3rd oil change 5w20, I have plans to put in the next one 5w30, I live in South Florida we need that viscosity here since is very warm and humid.

 

[Samurai1225]

I've done one UOA ( Used Oil Analysis ) and I'm currently waiting on the results for the 2nd one. My first one did not show excessive fuel dilution. I like others have chosen to run a 30wt oil.

 

[cryptolime]

Fuel smell in oil is concerning, but might just need some longer drives to clear up.

mine always smells a tiny bit like fuel. pretty normal in GDI engines. not cause for concern unless the oil level is rising.

0w-20 is pretty thin, but Honda designed bearings with larger surface area to compensate for the reduced viscosity.

for checking the oil, make sure to do it with the engine hot, and wait at least 3 minutes after shutting off the engine. Go with the higher reading on the dipstick.

 

[PointByPatrol]

I've done one UOA ( Used Oil Analysis ) and I'm currently waiting on the results for the 2nd one. My first one did not show excessive fuel dilution. I like others have chosen to run a 30wt oil.

How long do your UOA's usually take? I'm waiting on one currently.

 

[Websitesdown]

How long do your UOA's usually take? I'm waiting on one currently.

I'm sitting at 4400 miles right now. Getting first oil change next week. What company is best to use for this test? I'll send my oil off for testing. My car's telling me I have 70% left before oil change currently and yeah, not listening to that

 

[PointByPatrol]

I'm sitting at 4400 miles right now. Getting first oil change next week. What company is best to use for this test? I'll send my oil off for testing. My car's telling me I have 70% left before oil change currently and yeah, not listening to that

I used Blackstone. They'll send you the test kit for free, and then you pay when they do the test.

 

[Websitesdown]

I used Blackstone. They'll send you the test kit for free, and then you pay when they do the test.

Thank you! Will report back eventually.

Sponsored