Your owners manual could certainly tell you capacity of the sump.

You didn't check the drain plug? That would be the most likely culprit
in my mind. Not being real familiar with Hondas yet, generally, a
flashing light is worse than a solid light. In my Audi, if I had a
flashing oil light, I would immediately pul over and turn off the car,
as that indicates a severe lack-of-oil condition (versus a solid light
which would mean I may be down a quart). So you could have done some
serious damage to the car. The dealer will probably fix the oil loss
problem and leave it at that.

Good luck.

Dan D
'07 Odyssey EX

PS Just looked at my Oddy's manual, the light is actually an oil
PRESSURE indicator, not an oil LEVEL indicator, and says that driving
with it flashing or on can lead to severe engine damage. Again, this is
in my Odyssey. DD

The previous generation of the CR-V had problems with the oil filter gaskets
stacking up and then blowing out, resulting in loss of oil & fires, but it
happened after the first oil change.  At 900 miles, I assume you have not
changed the oil yet, so the likely culprits are loose drain plug, loose oil
filter, or road damage to something under it.

If at any point it actually ran dry, there is going to be engine damage.
On a 1 month old car, unless you ran over something and put a gash in the
oil pan, I would certainly try to make them replace it unless they can prove
to you that no damage has been done.

On 12/12/06 8:29 AM, in article
nqSdnZV3zoPqIOPYnZ2dnUVZ_oannZ2d@conversent.net, "Chuck Connell"
<connell@chc-3.com> wrote:

Just got off the phone with the service rep at the dealer (Herb Chambers in
Burlington MA). The crank seal was blown. The oil was pumping onto the
ground as the engine ran. He said "it looks like everything is OK inside
the engine". I said there is no way to know that without putting the
crankshaft and cylinder walls under a microscope. He more or less agreed.

I said that I want a new car, and he agreed to escalate this to his
manager.

Chuck

<SNIP>

======================================================

Hmmmm Your owner's manual says you should _shut it down_ if you ever see
the oil light come on. You said you drove it 'a couple more miles'. I
don't think you're in a position to demand anything.

Hopefully it will be OK.

'Curly'

If you can't fine evidence of an external leak--drain plug, filter etc, then
a contact with Honda is  mandatory.  If they have any fear that there is an
engine related  problem they will go all out to find out what it is and will
rectify your problem with minimal cost to you.   As a absolute minimum you
should have some diagnostic checks to determine if the engine has suffered
some damage.  The car is new--you don't an oil burner for the rest of it's
life.
MLD

I have not yet heard back from the dealer, about their intended resolution.
I am now driving a rental, which they are paying for. If the dealer offers
to install a new engine, I am wondering if I should accept it... It seems
pretty complicated to me to replace the whole engine, with all of its many
interconnections, and do it as well as the engine in a new car.

Thoughts on whether I could trust a dealer to do this right?

Chuck

Based on the fact that I drove the car for 4-5 days, with the engine dry
(or nearly dry) of oil, I am asking Honda for a new car or factory-new
engine. Here is the letter I just faxed to the dealer....

+++++++++++++++++++++

Notes about 2007 CR-V Oil Loss
December 12, 2006
Chuck Connell, 781-939-0505
Car purchased from Herb Chambers Honda

Driving home from work last night, about 2-3 miles from home, I thought I
saw a light flicker on the dashboard. I looked, but saw nothing. I
continued to drive. I saw another flicker, looked again, and just saw the
oil light go out. I continued to drive. The light came on again, and then
went off. I was now about one mile from home. I continued home, and checked
the dip stick as soon as I got there. It was hard to read in the dark, and
I had just stopped the engine, but it appeared low. I added a quart of oil.

I drove my daughter to dance class (5 miles total) without the oil light
coming on. I checked the dipstick when I got home anyway. It appeared low,
so I added another quart of oil and parked the car for the night.

This morning, I checked the dipstick. The oil was completely off the stick,
or perhaps just a drop at the bottom. I added two quarts, bringing the oil
level up to full (2nd hole in the stick). The crankcase had been down four
quarts of oil. I drove directly to the dealer, about 6 miles.

Looking back, the leak started at least 5 days earlier.

- There are two large oil spots in my driveway. One where the CRV
was parked, and another at the entrance to the driveway. I saw both of
these over the previous weekend, but did not imagine they were from my new
car. The first one, I assumed was from my 10-year-old Saturn which had a
large transmission leak a few months ago. The second one, I assumed was
from another car that had visited our house or turned around in the
driveway. The driveway is black and old, so it is not obvious when a new
oil spot appears.

-  There are two oil spots at my office parking lot, where I parked
my CRV the previous week. I remember where I parked because I had backed my
car in there, so that a glass company could easily fix the front
windshield, which had been cracked by a stone.

I now realize that the engine was dry of oil for 4-5 days, or more. When I
started the car those mornings, it started slowly, as if the battery were
low. I thought, at the time, that this seemed strange. Why would a new
battery be sluggish? But the car started, and ran fine, so I dismissed it.
I now understand that the reason the battery seemed weak is because the
engine was dry and not lubricated. This period covers at least 8-10 dry
starts, because each day I started it again after work, after 9 hours of
non-use.

-- END --

The dealer (and Honda corporate) has come back with their latest offer...
No new car, no new engine, but a 7 year / 100K warranty. I am thinking
about it.... Comments?

Chuck

I would try for the motor still.

I have decided to accept the engine repair and the warranty. Here's why...

- The warranty is a full 7y/100k, not just on the engine. It is the Honda
Care plan and includes roadside assistance, lodging if I am away from home,
repair at any US dealership. It is bumper to bumper, but I assume that does
not include standard wear items, like tires and brake shoes. (They are
sending me the full contract.)

- The crankcase capacity is actually 5.3q. I thought it was 4.3. So at its
worst moment, my engine had 1.3q left in it.

- I added oil quickly (2 miles, low speed) after the light blinked on. So
assuming the light is working properly, and warns of low oil pressure, the
pressure was not low for very long. The light never came on steady.

- I work near the dealer, so it is easy for me to take the car in again. If
the car really runs fine for 7 years, I guess it was OK.

On the other hand... I am disappointed in how the dealer (Herb Chambers,
Burlington MA) responded to this. The General Manager tried to call me
once, and left a message. But he never called back again, despite my 3-4
phone messages to him plus a fax. The dealer should have jumped on this
problem and done anything reasonable to satisfy the customer. All my
substantial conversations were with American Honda Corp, and they were very
responsive.

Thanks to this list for all the input.

Chuck Connell
http://www.chc-3.com -- My home page