Purchased my 01 Z on 05/31/05 with 1700 miles, joined this forum at 1800 miles, and am now at 2000 miles and am a quart low (Easy driving, under 4000 rpm, and mostly highway). I was told by 2 different dealers today (Fairway Chev., and Vista Chev.) that that's normal for a "Vette". We all know it isn't. I was also told to run the Mobil1 10-30 non-synthetic by one of the service writers at Vista because of the 115+ degree heat here in Vegas, (Owners manual states you can use 10-30), and that there is a good chance oil consumption will decrease or stop all together between routine changes. What do you guys think? Thanks.

By the way, the oil was at the max mark when I bought it

Built in 11/00

 

I would say you probably need a re-ring. My previous Z was an 01 and I was burning one quart every 600 miles. The dealer first performed replacement of the engine valley cover and it still drank one qt every 600 miles. They then performed a re-ring and I burned about 1/2 qt in 3K miles. I'll bet you can get GM to fix the problem under warranty since they know there is a problem and there is currently a technical service bulletin (TSB) on the problem. Good luck!!!!

 

Had about has same amount of oil usage on my 01, had it reringed by a chevy dealer that specializes in vettes and the usage is not even measurable
Find a reputable dealer and be persistant if they dont seem to be very willing to do the rings. There is a TSB on the problem and with your milage there should not be a problem.
GOOD LUCK.

 

Thats not normal. My 02 has 2K miles on it and it has the same amount of oil as the day i bought it.

 

I was getting 600 miles to a qt. on my 01, went to tom jumper in altanta, ga and they where great no problem they ordered the parts and gave me a rental car for a week>>>> give them a call....

 

Bummer. Only positive things I can add is GM should be picking up the tab. Other is its a good time to perform mods on the motor if you can find a dealer willing to help out when reassembly starts.

 

Contacted Bill Heard Chevrolet and spoke to their Corvette Service Manager. He told me that if I'm willing to go through the hoops, I may be able to get something done. To start this process, I would need to bring the car in, pay for an oil change, they would mark the mileage down, and whenever it got a quart low, I bring the car back to them, they add a quart of oil on me, and the process repeats 11 more times. Then they submit the problem to GM and wait until GM decides what they want to do about it.

 

Man that sucks! Maybe you can find someone that are willing to help other than that...Good luck

 

11 times? Man that is BS. Anyone know a regional GM manager out there? I say go up the flag pole a bit untill you get the support you need.
Dave

 

I agree, start making calls, with that low of mileage you should be able to get something done, its not like there isnt a big list of 01 cars that experienced the same problems you are having. Im sure it will work out but it sucks you have to jump through hoops to get the problem fixed

Good Luck

Mike

 

Bummer i hope they warranty. My 01 has 3100 miles with no oil problem!

 

In addition to all the above advice, try flogging the crap out of it first, for at least a few hundred miles. An 01 with only 1700 miles on it is not only NOT broken in but in my book, it's been neglected. Sitting for months at a time without running is not a good thing for cylinder walls and rings on ANY car.

 

Guy's - wasn't there a few post a month or so back where a few guy's were trying the German made Castrol 0/30 weight oil and it really helped the consumption problem. You may want to give the archives a look, it won't cost you any thing to look. Good luck

 

Thanks for all the advice and help.

 

Like i said yesterday be persistant,call people that are higher up in GM.
Remember the saying THE SQUEEKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE.

 

You are starting down a well troden road...it's old news...and you should use that to your advantage.

First I suggest you do searches on this issue...search for those i've submitted and you should hit some of the threads...there many....very many. This was a VERY common problem, yet many would say that "only a few had it". What i think you will find is that most who bought 2001's with "standard rings" (in 2002 chevy, along with some other minor changes, switched to "sipe profile" rings which do a much better job of scooping the mobile-1 off the cylinder walls) AND who regularly drove in HOT weather and/or high RPMs for significant time...had this problem.

Print the posts out....and take them with you to the dealer....ask to speak to the service manager. Show him your backup material; ask for the reginal manager's phone number so you can start the formal process...

I did same here in houston, and instead of "going thru the hoops," the dealer realized that a) I wasn't making it up (i had documented the consumption very well with receipts for replacement oil with the mileage written on them); and b) i wasn't going away. While i was still there, they informed me that the service manager had reviewd my case and they were scheduling it for a re-ring....they performed the task the problem went away. I never regretted it (i was very nervous letting them tear into my brand new, factory clean-room assembled motor...but Lonestar Chevy did a great job).

One "hoop" you may still have is that I believe you are out of warranty (time). I think you still have a case with only 2k miles (really?...nice find!). While you're waiting on the car (takes about a week) order yourself a set of 2004 shocks and put them on when she gets home...(best $250 you'll ever spend on her, really!).....and enjoy!

I traded mine for a 2003 ('01 needed new tires!! for the same $$ up front and another year of payments, i got a 2-year newer car!...what could i say?)...my point being that these "hoops" are a pain for sure...but worth it.

 

Thanks Solo. That's what I've been thinking about doing the last couple of days. Probably going to be my only recourse.

 

Hi Sixxcat1
Give Your Gm Dealership This Technical Service Bulletin Number ( 01-06-01-023a). This Shuold Get The Ball Rolling. Good Luck With The Z. I've Had The Oil Consumption Problem Did Have New Ls6 Installed By Gm Under Their Warranty. No Cost To Me.

 

I would drive it hard for a couple months, this was a HUGE issue back in 2001!!! iT may not be broke in! Good luck you will enjoy the car thought, guaranteed!!

 

ditto above-get a good dealer-do the consumption tests-do the valley cover /breather first..did mine and that pretty much solved it for the most part - i get 1200-1800/qt depending how hard i drive it-its been better with more miles-i have 24k on the car-which is low miles..if the valley cover doesn't help then do the re-ring..stay away from a lot of down shifting and running it down from 4k rpm-that just consumes , unless your tracking the car
also, once you fill it up to the correct level of oil..wait for the message of low oil on your DIC..i set trip B and its like clockwork , the msg comes up in the DIC-and i add my 1 qt..and i check mile oil consumption on my trip B, and its been pretty steady for the last yr at about 1400-1800 mi/qt
here is a pic of my 01
http://www.z06vette.com/forums/showt...1&page=1&pp=15
good luck