Where's my oil going? 5qts in and 4qts out?

[tvanhouten]

Hi everyone, I am sure that this questions has been asked before, but could someone tell my why I am missing almost a quart of oil between oil changes? At about 4,500 miles ago I changed the oil and added the correct amount of oil. I changed the oil today and just under 4qts came out. There's a discrepancy of almost a full quart of oil - where did it go, and is this normal??? Are the rings not quite seated?

My 2004 Pilot has almost 12,000 miles on it and I am using Amsoil 0w30 Series 2000 oil.

Any guidance/advice would be appreciated...

Thanks, tvanhouten

[jdeanski]

Probably some of it is still in the filter.

[thomasj2]

What was the difference on the dip stick over the course of the 4500 miles? Did it drop? Even if you dumped the oil filter you will still have serval ounces soaked into the filter material. Most car mfg say a quart between oil changes is nothing to worry about. At 1 point I had a problem with a Ford truck, they said anything under a quart in 1000 miles was not an issue.

My Pilot uses -0- oil between 7500 mile oil changes. The level on the stick doesn't change more than an eighth of an inch. 5 quarts in and 5 quarts out.

[colorider]

Originally posted by tvanhouten
Hi everyone, I am sure that this questions has been asked before, but could someone tell my why I am missing almost a quart of oil between oil changes? At about 4,500 miles ago I changed the oil and added the correct amount of oil. I changed the oil today and just under 4qts came out. There's a discrepancy of almost a full quart of oil - where did it go, and is this normal??? Are the rings not quite seated?

My 2004 Pilot has almost 12,000 miles on it and I am using Amsoil 0w30 Series 2000 oil.

Any guidance/advice would be appreciated...

Thanks, tvanhouten

I have made feeble attempts over the years to measure the amount I drained out and it has NEVER seemed to be the same - and yet, virtually none of the vehicles "used" any oil. As others have mentioned, some is in the filter. I tend to think that in some cases, a slight amount is burned off - even though the dipstick will show (near) "Full".

IMHO, don't worry about it!

[rocky]

Check your engine coolant. I hope its not in there.

[ncelk]

Could it be possible that your Pilot burned just a little bit and there is just a bit left in the engine after you drained it.

Combine that wieht the amount that was in the oil filter when you drained it and that could account for a quart.

That is of course assuming that it did not burn a quart in between changes.

I always check my oil right before an oil change to see if it is down.

I noticed on our 98 Accord V6 that it was burning about a half quart to a quart between oil changes. I then switched to Mobil 1 and the car stopped burning oil completely.

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by tvanhouten
Hi everyone, I am sure that this questions has been asked before, but could someone tell my why I am missing almost a quart of oil between oil changes?

Any guidance/advice would be appreciated...

Thanks, tvanhouten

The oil goes the same place the other sock goes from the dryer.
The 4th dimension. I believe it is actually used to lubricate the passage there, but that has not been shown conclusively. (This would require the analysis of a sock returned from the 4th dimension for the residue of used engine oil.)

My advice is to use 12 oz beer bottles to measure the waste oil.
Of course these bottles should never be reused.
To always assure yourself of a fresh supply requires the drinking or 4 to 5 nice cold beers between draining the oil and measuring it.

I am fairly sure this process will relieve any stress caused by the movement of small amounts of oil to the 4th dimension.