Does the Accord Burn Engine Oil?
3 Answers
New Accords generally do not burn engine oil, with only isolated cases occurring. The reasons for engine oil burning in cars are as follows: Carbon Deposits: Carbon deposits can accelerate wear between the pistons and cylinder walls, creating excessive gaps that allow engine oil to enter the combustion chamber. Valve Seal Corrosion and Aging: Corroded or aged valve seals result in poor sealing, leading to oil seepage or leakage. Damage to the oil seal between the turbocharger and intake pipe is mainly caused by extended oil change intervals or the use of inferior-quality oil, which leads to insufficient lubrication and cooling of the floating turbo main shaft, thereby damaging the oil seal. Clogged Air Filter: A clogged air filter restricts airflow, reducing intake pressure and creating a vacuum. This vacuum can draw engine oil into the combustion chamber, causing oil burning. A clogged oil filter can also increase engine oil consumption.
I've driven three Accords from different years, and honestly, the early naturally aspirated engines hardly burned any oil. But I did experience it with the 10th-gen 1.5T version—remember the 2019 batch? Many owners in the forums reported the oil level dropping to the minimum mark after just 5,000 km. It turned out to be a piston ring design issue where oil wasn't being scraped off properly and slipped into the combustion chamber. Honda later released an improved solution, and now with the 10.5-gen and 11th-gen models equipped with new rings, the issue has significantly improved. If current owners notice blue smoke from the exhaust or a burnt smell during cold starts, they should check the oil consumption immediately.
Last year, I worked on a 9th-generation Accord with 160,000 kilometers on the odometer. The owner mentioned having to top up half a liter of engine oil every three months. Upon disassembling the engine, it was discovered that the valve stem seals had aged to the point of resembling hard plastic, with oil stains even seeping into the spark plug threads. While Honda engines are indeed durable, these rubber components inevitably need replacement as they age. For routine maintenance, pay attention to three key indicators: whether the exhaust emits blue smoke, if oil consumption exceeds 0.3 liters per 1,000 kilometers, and if the engine feels sluggish during acceleration. If these symptoms appear, don’t panic—replacing the seals with an improved set costs just around 2,000 yuan.
