Honda Oil pump/oil sludge

[bobco]

Just got back from Honda Service shop, cost me $240 to get my motor back. My oil pressure ok lite on my BF8 was intermittantly not coming on so I took it in to be looked at. The Motor is 1.5 years old. The service manager found the screen in the oil sump clogged from "sludge". He would not cover the $240 , 4.5 hours labor, under warrenty. I'm pissed! I have changed the oil regular and have ran Mobil 1 synthec in it. It make no sense to me why this happened unless 1) something was in the origional engine 2) the mobil 1 jellied with the origional oil 2) something is wrong with the motor causeing the oil to Sludge. Has anybody ever experienced this?

[Stan]

Bobco,

Havent had any personal experience like yours with my 8 hp ( 1996 model). This winter, when talking with the owner of a dealership that carries Honda, he did mention the 2001 models have been redesigned (oil filter) so they dont get hte screen clogged. Heres the suprising part. He stated the method they used to clean the screen was to dump the oil, fill the crankcase with kerosene, and run for 5 minutes, and drain!
I don't know if that is a factory recommended way of dealing with it, but it made me do an about-face and not look back.

[John in MN]

Mobil 1 says it is compatible with non-synthetic motor oils right on the bottle. Your dealer should cover the work under warranty.

[seahorse]

>Just got back from Honda Service
>shop, cost me $240 to
>get my motor back.
>The service manager found the
>screen in the oil sump
>clogged from "sludge".
>He would not cover the
>$240 , 4.5 hours labor,
>under warrenty. I'm pissed!
>I have changed the oil
>regular and have ran Mobil
>1 synthec in it.

Perhaps sending a letter to both Honda and Mobil might get some action. If Mobil says their synthetic is compatible, then they should pay the bill if the Mobil 1 was at fault. Post the results when you find out.

[Tom P]

If you fully changed your oil and filter to mobil 1. where would you get a compatiblity issue. You would have a thimble of old oil left in the crank case and as residue on all parts. This would not give you any problem at all. They have figured out any compatability issue long ago. You should try running Amsoil, Castrol, or Quaker State full synthetic just for your peice of mind. Having had an Audi repair shop years ago, I have seen repairs done that did not needed doing. Unless you saw the sludge your self,you really don't know what they did. ( I'm not knocking your dealer, they could be the most honest in the state) I would do like the other post said , call both Honda and Mobil. Then call Amsoil and Castrol to get their unbias opinion.

[steve]

It's definetly NOT a mobil 1 problem.Thats the best oil for a four stroke motor available.If you have a sludging problem it will be with a petroleum based product way, way before a synthetic.Something shady is goig on here!Pursue the problem further with the dealer or factory Rep.Dont' give up untill you,the customer, are satisfied. Post results.Good Luck to you.

[bobco]

very interesting that the 2001 model has a screw on oil filter, I fully intend to call Honda Customer service Monday morning and discuss this issue with them. It really made me mad to have to fork over $240 to get my motor back when I have more than exceeded the factory oil requirements, I will post up dates, I do not want to jump to conclusions but I'm not a happy camper.

[Stan]

Actually, in all fairness to Honda, the 2001 model engine is a totally redesigned powerhead. The same powerhead is used to power the 8hp as well as the 9.9. Let us know what you find out. Sludging in any properly cared for engine (which yours is) is very unlikely, it will be interesting to hear what you find out.
Take Care

[bob\co]

Just got off the telephone with America Honda and they agreed to refund me the $240 that the service manager made me pay to get my motor back. The source of the "sludge" is unknown, he did say they had some earlier problems with machining oils (from origional tooling of parts) clogging the filter, but this engine has ran 50-60 hrs. I am happy that Honda is standing behind thier warrenty and can not hold them accountable for a service managers actions. What have I learned, 1) Speak up and be heard is you feel something is not right (never had a problem with this) 2) With the 4 stroke kickers look for models with removable oil filters (this honda requires the motor be disassembled to get to the permant filter). Thanks for everyones input.