freaked out about Civic oil light?

Question

I have a 2000 Civic EX. A few weeks (over 400 miles) ago, I checked the oil level and it was almost 2 quarts low. (I checked it just cause I hadnt in a while, not because the car was doing anything weird.) I was horrified, but added oil and kept driving.

I drove for a few more days (at least 20 miles a day) and everything seemed ok, until I started the car and the oil light came on and stayed on (engine was cold). I turned the car off, then back on, and the light was gone. The oil level was still fine. (I have not seen the light since.)

A few days later I got the oil changed in case the filter was to blame. No obvious problems so far, and again this was a few weeks and over 400 miles ago. But, I am still worried that something could be wrong with my engine.

have any honda owners here ever experienced anything like this--where the oil light turns on one time only?

I also wonder if there was a problem with the light itself. (My check engine light is on because I lost my fuel cap--I have replaced it but the light wont turn off even though it definitely should have by now. And the only trouble code its throwing is the lost fuel cap code. So could my warning lights just be acting up?)

Thanks

Answer 1

If you are really concerned about it you could consider installing an oil pressure gauge. I did that on A VW Vanagon I had.

Answer 2

You really should clear that engine light indicator on your dashboard. You may have an engine problem you may not be aware of with the engine light always on.



If you can't buy or borrow an On Board Diagnostic (OBD II) scanner to clear the engine light, your next best option is to disconnect your car battery and reconnect after 5 minutes or so (make sure you have your radio code written down). After your car battery is reconnected, drive your car around for about 15 min or so your car's computer can re-adjust itself.



Changing the oil and oil filter was a good move. This can improve oil pressure if the oil filter can no longer filter out foreign particles from your engine oil.



Your oil loss may also have been due to a leak or loose oil drain plug. This can set off your engine oil light due to low-levels of engine oil and low oil pressure. If you had thicker oil in your engine (10W30) while in very cold weather, this may also affect your oil sensor to light up; next time try 5W30 which works better in colder conditions.



Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Once is not an issue. I also own a 2000 EX and I am very experienced with the car. Sometimes on cold starts it takes time for oil to get into the valve lifters, especially during cold weather. If this happens again i would replace the oil pressure sending unit. As for the CEL, have your repair shop reset the trouble code to turn off the light. Also, the valve adjustment sounds like a very good idea.

Answer 4

Check you oil level more often.

Oil light is designed to light up during initial starts in the morning.

You have not likely damaged any internal parts of the engine.

To clear your code, disconnect the battery for a few minutes.

You typically would not ever hear engine knocking.



Stop worrying.

Answer 5

it is possible that ur engine lights are acting up, but i don't think so.... when ur oil light went on. their might have been something wrong with ur oil pump. im not sure y it went away if that was the case, but it could have been a one time thing. The check engine light for ur fuel cap hasnt gone off becuase u haven't erased it and reset the check engine light. im not sure how to on a honda but there are buttons u press together to reset it and if it shows up again then there is something else wrong.

Answer 6

convinced cleansing bat terminals superb, besides the indisputable fact that it truly is a chance your belts are loose, If belts tight get alternator charging checked and bat. load examined. in case you opt for to sparkling bat. terminals use baking soda mixed with water,in case you disconnect and your radio is coded you ned to jot down code all the way down to restart radio after. once you've a stick shift it truly is a chance seize is undesirable, if computerized a chance fluid low. I propose taking to Honda to get regarded at you may believe them now to not over promote you. e-mail if more beneficial needed. desire this helps. recollect it truly is 10yrs previous and likely needed what they offered you.