It sounds like its OK - Honda considers a quart (liter) in one thousand
miles normal consumption.

On 10/8/04 2:34 PM, in article
, "Viktor"
> wrote:

> Guys, thanks a lot for your responses.
>
> Here are the details that I failed to mention.
> 1. My Honda Civic CX 97 has 160 000 miles on it.
> 2. After I changed the oil last time (and the oil level was above
> "Full" line directly after changing), the oil level has dropped to
> BELOW the "Add" line after I drove 3000-3500 miles.
> 3. Other then the drop in oil level I don't have other concerns. The
> milage is great (5.9 L/100 km - I am in Canada), no blue smok, just
> passed my emission test recently.
> 4. No leak of oil detected anywhere.
> 5. Don't know what PCV valve is, will find out.
> 6. When I detected that the oil level is less then "Add" mark, I
> poured about 1L of oil (I guess, about 1 quart) and it's full again.
>
> Thank you very much for all your help.
>
> Viktor
>
> "Caroline" > wrote in message
> hlink.net>...
>> "Viktor" > wrote
>>> Hi everybody,
>>> I bought used '97 Civic CX 2-door hatchback two years ago and have
>>> noticed that the engine eats the oil signigicantly (3000 miles
>>> decreased the oil level by half).
>>
>> After 3000 miles, is the oil still above the low mark on the dipstick?
>>
>> About how much oil are you adding every 3000 miles? If it's less than a
>> quart, I
>> don't think there's a major problem.
>>
>> Check the outside of the engine from beneath the valve cover to beneath the
>> oil
>> pan gasket. Do you see any oil on the outside of the engine?
>>
>> How is the car's fuel mileage, and when was the last time the PCV valve was
>> changed?
>>
>> A failed (or failing) PCV valve may cause leakage past oil seals and low fuel
>> mileage. Replacing the PCV valve at least every 60k miles often pays off.
>>
>> Also, is the coolant reservoir level steady?
>>
>>> Otherwise it runs great, just passed
>>> the emission test.
>>> Is my engine on its way out?
>>> Is there some inexpensive way to correct it?
>>> If engine dies, how much could it cost to replace or repair the
>>> engine?
>>>
>>> Thanks a lot!
>>
>> How many miles are on this Honda?
>>
>> Caroline
>> 91 Civic, 158k miles, still 40+ mpg