[KenA]

Went to the dealership for the first oil change on the 6th and brought it back home where it sat in the parking lot over the weekend. Over the next week on three occasions it blew a large cloud of white smoke on ignition and once while accelerating from a stop sign. During the later I heard a quick ratcheting sound but it wasn't very loud. I called the dealership to ask about it but they didn't have any ideas and wanted me to drop it off over night to see it blow smoke on ignition the next morning, even though that behavior was sporadic. I ultimately wasn't able to drop the vehicle off and it didn't have any further issues all last weekend or early this week, until today. Coming back home it once again blew a thick cloud of white smoke while accelerating from a stop light and made the quick ratcheting noise. It also seemed to be very sluggish to accelerate. In hindsight, it has also gone through over half a tank of fuel since the oil change which is unusual for the amount of driving that I do, usually filling up once a month, but that might be completely unrelated and I've been actually driving more than I realized.

I've got a new appointment tomorrow morning for the dealership to look at it, but I'm stumped at what could have happened.

 

[Jermboy777]

Went to the dealership for the first oil change on the 6th and brought it back home where it sat in the parking lot over the weekend. Over the next week on three occasions it blew a large cloud of white smoke on ignition and once while accelerating from a stop sign. During the later I heard a quick ratcheting sound but it wasn't very loud. I called the dealership to ask about it but they didn't have any ideas and wanted me to drop it off over night to see it blow smoke on ignition the next morning, even though that behavior was sporadic. I ultimately wasn't able to drop the vehicle off and it didn't have any further issues all last weekend or early this week, until today. Coming back home it once again blew a thick cloud of white smoke while accelerating from a stop light and made the quick ratcheting noise. It also seemed to be very sluggish to accelerate. In hindsight, it has also gone through over half a tank of fuel since the oil change which is unusual for the amount of driving that I do, usually filling up once a month, but that might be completely unrelated and I've been actually driving more than I realized.

I've got a new appointment tomorrow morning for the dealership to look at it, but I'm stumped at what could have happened.

I take it you checked the level to make sure it’s not overfilled?

 

[KenA]

I take it you checked the level to make sure it’s not overfilled?

I haven't checked that yet. I'll try to do that tonight after it has cooled.

 

[Jermboy777]

I haven't checked that yet. I'll try to do that tonight after it has cooled.

If it started after the oil change that would be my guess is that they overfilled it, I could be wrong though. Let us know!

 

[KenA]

I suspect you're onto something. This is the level after sitting for an hour.

 

[Jermboy777]

I suspect you're onto something. This is the level after sitting for an hour. View attachment 3960

Just to be sure I would give it a quick start up and shut it down after a few seconds and then recheck the level to make sure that’s not just settled oil you’re reading

 

[KenA]

Confirmed that running it for 30 seconds and the level is still the same.

Now I wonder what the clicking noise was and if any damage has been done.

 

[Jermboy777]

Confirmed that running it for 30 seconds and the level is still the same.

Now I wonder what the clicking noise was and if any damage has been done.

Make sure when you take it in that they note the engine oil being overfilled by them on the service invoice and keep that proof of error. Not sure exactly what the noise would have been but under and overfilled engines can cause a variety of noises. Hopefully when they level it off all the problems are solved. Keep us posted.

 

[ProdGirl]

Make sure when you take it in that they note the engine oil being overfilled by them on the service invoice and keep that proof of error. Not sure exactly what the noise would have been but under and overfilled engines can cause a variety of noises. Hopefully when they level it off all the problems are solved. Keep us posted.

Geez....one ore reason I am not a fan of the dealerships.
They overfilled my CRV many years ago too.

And I can’t recall, but aren’t you in OC? If so, what dealer did you take it to?

 

[KenA]

And I can’t recall, but aren’t you in OC? If so, what dealer did you take it to?

North Illinois. I've never had an issue with them when I had the CR-Z, so this is unusual.

 

[KenA]

Dealership said oil was overfilled by a quart and re-did the oil change. They claim it wouldn't be enough to harm the engine and that the clicking might have been part of the timing advance system.

 

[Jermboy777]

Dealership said oil was overfilled by a quart and re-did the oil change. They claim it wouldn't be enough to harm the engine and that the clicking might have been part of the timing advance system.

Glad they got it taken care of for you