Adam_in_NH
Thread starter
Thanks for the great info, friends. To answer a few questions: The engine is a 250hp 3.5 Liter SOHC 24-Valve i-VTEC V6 with Variable Cylinder Managemeny(VCM). All of the maintenance was performed by the Honda dealer during the warranty period. The dealer ran conventional Mobil Super and then Jiffy Lube used conventional Pennzoil twice and conventional Pennzoil High-Milage oil for the last two changes. The valve train tick went away with the first High-Mileage change for about a week.
Most of the 30K miles per year were highway miles, run at about 75MPH. Only about 200 miles towing, nothing severe at all, no off-road. Some short trips but very few compared to highway miles. But I did let my wife drive it on occasion!
I did not get the Service Writer's statement in writing, but he repeats it every time I ask if I shouldn't change the oil at 5,000 miles like I used to do: "I have plenty of Hondas of all types that routinely go 9K or 10K between service and they all run fine"
I did get a second and third opinion. One mechanic said "fxxk the maintenance minder and always change your oil at 5,000 miles, your dealer has his head up his tail pipe". The other mechanic said the dealer should have given you the option to run synthetic oil the first time, and every time you voiced your concerns.
I did open up a case with Honda America today and dropped off copies of all my oil changes at the dealer for the regional Honda rep to look at next week. It is interesting that the Honda Service Writer went from ignoring to escalating once I showed up with my complete service records as well as a spreadsheet recapping the exact oil change history.
I check the oil level regularly and it has only been a half quart low once, at the last oil change. The dealer told me about the sludge but I have not seen it with my own two eyes. There is no white goo on the inside of the oil cap.
The vehicle still runs, but the ticking noise is worse since they looked at it. I continue to drive it with a very lite foot.
Most of the 30K miles per year were highway miles, run at about 75MPH. Only about 200 miles towing, nothing severe at all, no off-road. Some short trips but very few compared to highway miles. But I did let my wife drive it on occasion!
I did not get the Service Writer's statement in writing, but he repeats it every time I ask if I shouldn't change the oil at 5,000 miles like I used to do: "I have plenty of Hondas of all types that routinely go 9K or 10K between service and they all run fine"
I did get a second and third opinion. One mechanic said "fxxk the maintenance minder and always change your oil at 5,000 miles, your dealer has his head up his tail pipe". The other mechanic said the dealer should have given you the option to run synthetic oil the first time, and every time you voiced your concerns.
I did open up a case with Honda America today and dropped off copies of all my oil changes at the dealer for the regional Honda rep to look at next week. It is interesting that the Honda Service Writer went from ignoring to escalating once I showed up with my complete service records as well as a spreadsheet recapping the exact oil change history.
I check the oil level regularly and it has only been a half quart low once, at the last oil change. The dealer told me about the sludge but I have not seen it with my own two eyes. There is no white goo on the inside of the oil cap.
The vehicle still runs, but the ticking noise is worse since they looked at it. I continue to drive it with a very lite foot.