Based on technical teardowns and mechanic reports for the 2016/17 Honda Accord (2.4L Earth Dreams engine), here is the breakdown of the oil consumption issues you're likely seeing at 135,000 miles:
Oil Control Ring Issues
The primary culprit for oil consumption in these models is typically the oil control rings.
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Design Flaw: In earlier "Earth Dreams" engines (2013–2017), the oil control rings were prone to getting clogged with carbon deposits, especially if oil changes were stretched to the 10,000-mile interval recommended by the maintenance minder 01:04 Opens in a new window .
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The Symptom: Your compression rings might still be strong (maintaining engine power), but the oil rings fail to "scrape" the oil back down the cylinder walls, leading to it being burned in the combustion chamber 03:39 Opens in a new window .
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Diagnosis: A "wet" compression test can confirm if the compression rings are okay, pointing the blame squarely at the oil control rings if the car is still losing a quart every 1,200–1,500 miles 04:17 Opens in a new window .
Valve Stem Seals
While less common than the ring issue on this specific generation, valve stem seals can also be a factor at 135k miles.
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Identification: If you see a puff of blue smoke specifically at startup after the car has been sitting, it is often the valve stem seals leaking oil down into the cylinders overnight.
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Labor Warning: Replacing these is a labor-intensive "book time" job (often cited around 16.5 hours at a dealer), so most mechanics recommend confirming the ring issue first.
Quick Checklist for 135k Miles
Before assuming a major engine teardown is needed, check these "easier" fixes:
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PCV Valve: A stuck PCV valve can mimic high oil consumption. It's a cheap, 10-minute fix that you should try first 01:26 Opens in a new window .
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Spark Plug Inspection: Pull your plugs. If they are heavily coated in oily carbon, it confirms the engine is burning oil internally rather than just leaking it 01:46 Opens in a new window .
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Oil Change Interval: If you aren't already, switch to a 5,000-mile oil change interval to prevent further carbon buildup
