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altima_lop · Mar 16, 2005, 07:02 PM

Hi all,
Today I replaced my car's Engine Oil & Filter. Then while on my way back home, the Service Engine Soon light came on and has stayed there even after stopping and re-starting the car. The car Engine had been vibrating more than normal for quite few months, and I could feel that when I am at stop light or when the car is idling.

I am not sure why I am seeing the above light on, all of a sudden.

Any ideas!

Thanks,
Rich

thebriggsdude · Mar 16, 2005, 07:33 PM

Do you check the oil often. May be low. Hense a leak somewhere or it could be a fuel problem in the engine compartment like clogged injectors or something. Does it lunge or kind of sound like its clunking out. Oh and you did buy the right filter too right. Always buy the right filter and when installing it fill the filter up with fresh engine oil and put it on tight. That sort of thing, but when you change the oil that's what you make sure of the filter is very tight and the plug is in tight and has some teflon tape on it if it leaks a little.

CroCivic91 · Mar 17, 2005, 05:47 AM

Well, it's probably an OBD2 car, so you can have it diagnosed at AutoZone or some such... I think people said it is free of charge? Don't know, I'm not from USA, but if your light turned on, it means your ECU/ECM noticed an error. With the right tool, you can see exactly what error it is. I believe AutoZone has OBD2 Diagnosing Tool (or whatever you call that).

altima_lop · Mar 17, 2005, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by thebriggsdude

do you check the oil often. may be low. hense a leak somewhere or it could be a fuel problem in the engine compartment like clogged injectors or something. does it lunge or kind of sound like its clunking out. oh and you did buy the right filter too right. always buy the right filter and when installing it fill the filter up with fresh engine oil and put it on tight. that sorta thing, but when you change the oil thats what you make sure of the filter is very tight and the plug is in tight and has some teflon tape on it if it leaks a little.

First of all Thanks. That's something I am suspecting. Actually I got my Oil and Filter changed from a professional and I paid 20 bucks for it, so obviously I hope the guy must have used genuine filter. I am going to take it back to them and ask them to look at it.

labman · Mar 17, 2005, 01:13 PM

Is this a emissions related Check Engine light, or a maintenance reminder light? Some cars have a light that comes on when an oil change is due. If the oil was changed just before it was due, and not reset with special tool, the light would come on without any engine problem. I thought it was more BMW's that had them.

Check the oil. About the only way to mess up an oil change is to not put the right amount of oil in. Well I guess over tightening the oil filter or drain plug causes big problems too. Many Japanese cars require a new crush washer each change. Over tightening the plug instead, can ruin the threads in the oil pan.

As for the filter, almost anything except a Fram or others made by Fram, are good, even the cheap Super Tech from Walmart.

CroCivic91 · Mar 17, 2005, 01:39 PM

A shop once put a Mazda Oil Filter on my Civic. The next mechanic that changed my filter noticed it, and showed it to me. "Mazda" was clearly written on it.

labman · Mar 17, 2005, 08:23 PM

I wouldn't worry about that Mazda filter. It may have been the same or better than a Honda. Many of the Honda filters sold in the US are Frams, about the worst of any. Many filters fit several applications, or at leas will work as long as the thread and gasket is right. Big danger is a lack of bypass in the filter on an engine that doesn't have a bypass either. Another problem is mechanical damage if you use an filter too big for the space.

Here are some links to studies comparing what is inside many brands of filters. Many others, including me, have found the same things. I cut one small Mazda filter apart, and found a lot more filter media packed into it than a much bigger Fram. The last link is about the new design Champ is using. They manfacture many filters selling as Super Tech, STP, Bosch, Mobil 1, Value Craft and some AC's. Some people do not trust the new design.

http://www.ntpog.org/reviews/filters/filters.shtml

http://www.lesabret.com/filters/filter.html

http://www.champlabs.com/ECOREBROCHURE.pdf#search='Ecore'

thebriggsdude · Mar 17, 2005, 08:52 PM

Fram now makes a new one. I believe it uses a material made by dupont to filter more. But I've seen that I go to napa and get a filter from them and that would last longer then a fram. And be cheaper to boot.

altima_lop · Mar 21, 2005, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by thebriggsdude

fram now makes a new one. i beleive it uses a material made by dupont to filter more. but i've seen that i go to napa and get a filter from them and that would last longer then a fram. and be cheaper to boot.

The light went off and it's back again. I got 304 (cylinder Misfire) during the diagnostics. The mechanic I showed asked to change the spark plugs and it did and he resetted the memory. But now the light is back on I am not sure what I should do. He has asked me to bring it back if something like this happens, but I don't know if it is a good idea.

thebriggsdude · Mar 21, 2005, 07:11 PM

Hmm, have him check the timing. That or the coil.