[bokennedy20]

Hello, I am a new owner of a brand new 2021 Honda Accord LX. I have read about oil dilution issues in the other years or mainly in the CRVs and some Civics. I noticed a lot of posts on this issue were from ~ 2019. I just joined this forum so I was curious what people were now saying. I have the 1.5L CVT. I live in Indiana, USA where it does get pretty cold.

I pulled my dipstick the other day and it reeked of gasoline. Does this mean that i am going to be suffering from oil dilution? I have only driven 800 miles. Other than the smell, everything else looks good.

I also was told starting your car in the morning when it’s cold is actually worse because the engine has a hard time warming up just idling and it could cause dilution.

Anyways, let me know what your thoughts are. The Honda service dept. says the smell is normal in a direct fuel injection turbo engine, and it’s the oil level you have to pay attention too as that would be the major sign of a large amount of gas in your oil if it were to raise.

I love this car and I am disappointed if this is an issue. Idk what to do. I bought my car for $30k (with $2000 negative equity) so I am stuck with this as trading it in would hurt me more.

 

[K20xAccoRd]

Watch the dipstick level. They are getting down on people 28k for a 21 lx 😳

 

[bokennedy20]

Watch the dipstick level. They are getting down on people 28k for a 21 lx 😳

What do you mean they are getting down, the oil level? and for 28k miles and over? Or what? Sorry, confused on what you're trying to say. Thanks

 

[K20xAccoRd]

$28,000 for a 2021 lx is insanity. That's how the dealerships are getting down on people. As for the oil. Just watch the dipstick. You're looking to see if it rises

 

[bokennedy20]

$28,000 for a 2021 lx is insanity. That's how the dealerships are getting down on people. As for the oil. Just watch the dipstick. You're looking to see if it rises

I know, man. A buddy of mine bought a 2019 sport, I believe, for 23k just 2 years ago. I'm getting $2,000 warranty money I cancelled from my previous car so i basically break even on that trade in. But man, yeah, they had it marketed at 25,690. Then I come to the dealership and sign paperwork and its listed at 27000. It was marked up. Some BS and they wouldnt come down. I kind of got screwed, but hey at least its brand new and a nice car right? lol

But anyways, back to the topic. So you think the smell of gasoline on an oil dip stick is okay for this? It doesn't seem like that should be happening but other people say direct fuel injection engines cause that. But yeah I guess the oil level is what I need to watch for. Just curious if these engines are bad.

 

[cv2 6sp]

Just drive it. You should be fine. I have a 2.0t and a v6 3.5 accord and it smells like gas.

 

[bokennedy20]

Just drive it. You should be fine. I have a 2.0t and a v6 3.5 accord and it smells like gas.

I am. I'm sure nothing is wrong and i'm overreacting but just doesn't seem normal. Seems like a design flaw with the type of engine, turbo and CVT altogether. CVT keeps your rpms low.

Both your vehicles dipstick smell of gas?

 

[cv2 6sp]

Yup. Smells like Shell lol. I haven't read anything about 1.5s dying because of dilution. But I've heard of the issue.

 

[bokennedy20]

Yup. Smells like Shell lol. I haven't read anything about 1.5s dying because of dilution. But I've heard of the issue.

I'm sure if it was a big enough issue then Honda wouldn't be putting these style engines just like they are continuing with the 22's. BUT, in my opinion, I think it doesn't work as well as they thought it would with the CVT. They are shooting for fuel efficiency and emissions which i guess this is the result.

But thats the thing, IS it an issue? Not sure. I guess only time will tell. I plan on keeping this car forever unless excessive wear begins happening..

 

[PhotoJim]

The cold start thing is this: it's bad to start engines in cold weather, and then just let them idle.

Start the engine. If it's really cold (North Dakota/Saskatchewan cold not Texas cold )... as in below about -30 F/-25 C... let it warm up 30-60 seconds. (Wind chill doesn't count for this, just ambient temperature.) Then drive gently until you start to see bars in your temperature gauge.

 

[bokennedy20]

The cold start thing is this: it's bad to start engines in cold weather, and then just let them idle.

Start the engine. If it's really cold (North Dakota/Saskatchewan cold not Texas cold )... as in below about -30 F/-25 C... let it warm up 30-60 seconds. (Wind chill doesn't count for this, just ambient temperature.) Then drive gently until you start to see bars in your temperature gauge.

Ahh, see i thought it was crucial to let your car warm up to temp before driving off. But anyways, what is bad about letting it idle in cold weather?

 

[PhotoJim]

Ahh, see i thought it was crucial to let your car warm up to temp before driving off. But anyways, what is bad about letting it idle in cold weather?

It takes engines a long time to warm up this way - which creates unnecessary wear. Not to mention uses unneeded fuel.

It is not crucial to warm up an engine for long periods. And indeed, it's completely unnecessary.

The only exception: if your windows are iced up enough that you can't see well enough to drive safely, then you need to get them clear before you drive off.

I live in a climate that gets down to -35 to -40 degrees in winter at least a few times (not counting wind chill, which doesn't affect engines). I got 250,000 km (about 156,000 miles) on my '07 Accord driving it this way and the engine was still in great condition when I sold the car.

Modern engines simply don't need long warmups. Just drive gently until they are warm.

 

[JOHNNYC256]

Hello, I am a new owner of a brand new 2021 Honda Accord LX. I have read about oil dilution issues in the other years or mainly in the CRVs and some Civics. I noticed a lot of posts on this issue were from ~ 2019. I just joined this forum so I was curious what people were now saying. I have the 1.5L CVT. I live in Indiana, USA where it does get pretty cold.

I pulled my dipstick the other day and it reeked of gasoline. Does this mean that i am going to be suffering from oil dilution? I have only driven 800 miles. Other than the smell, everything else looks good.

I also was told starting your car in the morning when it’s cold is actually worse because the engine has a hard time warming up just idling and it could cause dilution.

Anyways, let me know what your thoughts are. The Honda service dept. says the smell is normal in a direct fuel injection turbo engine, and it’s the oil level you have to pay attention too as that would be the major sign of a large amount of gas in your oil if it were to raise.

I love this car and I am disappointed if this is an issue. Idk what to do. I bought my car for $30k (with $2000 negative equity) so I am stuck with this as trading it in would hurt me more.

I have a 2018 2.0 Accord and my dipstick always smells like gas. I took it to the dealer back when I first got the car and he told me that the smell was from break in oil. Total BS. The oil still smells like gas 3 years later. I don't see the oil level rising when checking the oil level though.

 

[bokennedy20]

I have a 2018 2.0 Accord and my dipstick always smells like gas. I took it to the dealer back when I first got the car and he told me that the smell was from break in oil. Total BS. The oil still smells like gas 3 years later. I don't see the oil level rising when checking the oil level though.

Hmm, i wonder if its a real problem. Can't decide if it is. Have you thought about having your oil sent off to a lab to check for dilution levels and metal shavings?

 

[JeffOCguy]

Hello, I am a new owner of a brand new 2021 Honda Accord LX. I have read about oil dilution issues in the other years or mainly in the CRVs and some Civics. I noticed a lot of posts on this issue were from ~ 2019. I just joined this forum so I was curious what people were now saying. I have the 1.5L CVT. I live in Indiana, USA where it does get pretty cold.

I pulled my dipstick the other day and it reeked of gasoline. Does this mean that i am going to be suffering from oil dilution? I have only driven 800 miles. Other than the smell, everything else looks good.

I also was told starting your car in the morning when it’s cold is actually worse because the engine has a hard time warming up just idling and it could cause dilution.

Anyways, let me know what your thoughts are. The Honda service dept. says the smell is normal in a direct fuel injection turbo engine, and it’s the oil level you have to pay attention too as that would be the major sign of a large amount of gas in your oil if it were to raise.

I love this car and I am disappointed if this is an issue. Idk what to do. I bought my car for $30k (with $2000 negative equity) so I am stuck with this as trading it in would hurt me more.

Not the exact model you mention, but when I was looking and had some concerns about the Turbo 2.0, everything seemed to indicate that only the 1.5 has a reputation for oil dilution problems...

 

[PhotoJim]

I have a 2018 2.0 Accord and my dipstick always smells like gas. I took it to the dealer back when I first got the car and he told me that the smell was from break in oil. Total BS. The oil still smells like gas 3 years later. I don't see the oil level rising when checking the oil level though.

If concerned, get a test kit from somewhere like Blackstone Labs. Have a sample of your oil taken the next time you get a change, and mail it to Blackstone for testing. They'll tell you how you're doing.

 

[JOHNNYC256]

If concerned, get a test kit from somewhere like Blackstone Labs. Have a sample of your oil taken the next time you get a change, and mail it to Blackstone for testing. They'll tell you how you're doing.

I just purchased a test kit, but haven't received it yet. My lease is running out in 1-1/2 months and was thinking about puchasing the car, but ever since I puchased this car the oil has always smelled like gasoline, but the oil level doesn't seem to rise on the dip stick. My 2002 Honda 6 cylinder accord has no gasoline smell in the oil at all. The dealer told me that the oil stink was from the break in oil that came with the car. I don't believe a word that was told to me as the smell was the same even after oil changes.

 

[PhotoJim]

I just purchased a test kit, but haven't received it yet. My lease is running out in 1-1/2 months and was thinking about puchasing the car, but ever since I puchased this car the oil has always smelled like gasoline, but the oil level doesn't seem to rise on the dip stick. My 2002 Honda 6 cylinder accord has no gasoline smell in the oil at all. The dealer told me that the oil stink was from the break in oil that came with the car. I don't believe a word that was told to me as the smell was the same even after oil changes.

A test of the oil will be a good thing to do to help you make your decision, then.

Direct-injection engines do leak a little gasoline into the oil. This is nearly unavoidable because of their design.

 

[JOHNNYC256]

A test of the oil will be a good thing to do to help you make your decision, then.

Direct-injection engines do leak a little gasoline into the oil. This is nearly unavoidable because of their design.

I just got my oil changed at Honda and had a sample of my oil saved and put in a bottle. I am going to get it tested.
You wouldn't believe what happened. I just decided to check my oil level when I got back home from the dealer to see what the oil level read on the dipstick and to smell the new oil. My level barely read any oil on the dipstick. I checked it 10 times because the level looked different on one side than the other side. I then checked my receipt from Honda. They put 3.6 qts of oil in my 2.0 turbo which is the correct level for a 1.5t , but not for my 2.0 t which is supposed to be 5 qts. I hope I didn't damage my engine by running 1.4 qts low for 8 miles. I am afraid to take it back to Honda because my oil level is so low. I am pissed off at Honda. How can they make such a stupid mistake? The oil light did not turn red on the dashboard from being 1.4 qts low.

 

[cv2 6sp]

Exactly why I never take it to dealers.