Sorry to put so many posts up for a newbie. I looked at an 01 today and after doing a few searchs found out that some 01's liked to consume a little oil. My concern is at what point during the 01 producton run was this resolved. ( yes i realize that all combustion engines use up oil) However was there a time during the 01 run that something was changed. Example the car I looked at was at around 3400 of the 01 production run. Should i be worried. Thanks sixty4.

 

You should be concerned. I don't think the 2001 ring issue was resolved untill early 2002 production. A 3400 mile 2001 car is sure to be an oil burner unless the rings were replaced via the TSB.

By the way, oil consumption is NOT normal.

Tom

 

Please don't misunderstand my post. The concern I have is this car rolled out in 01, and as I understand it was about 3400 in the production sequence, (according to vin number). At what point was this problem addressed by GM? (02?) I have spoken with several 01 owners that have reported no oil use problems. My main concern is, are early run cars for the 01 model year more prone to this problem than those produced later in the model year?. Thanks sixty4.

 

I have an 01 and never have had any problem with an oil leak....good luck!!!

 

my understanding of the oil problem, stems for the owners with manuel
trany and tooling around town in the same gear and holding an a small rpm range which caused rings to leak, I do not have abnormal oil burn in my 01 with an auto trany.

 

 

My '01 was built on aug 31, 2000.
It is a MN6 and has 86,000 miles. I change the oil a 3,000 mile intervals. There is NO oil consumption.

 

I have an '01 and haven't had any oil burning issues. I don't know if the tranny has anything to do with it or not, but mine is also an A4. Others have mentioned that if you drive your car hard a lot, it will lead to more consumption.

 

Thanks to all! The c5 is new to me. I am over from the c2 board. This may be my first c5, Just want to get any feed back before I drop the money sixty4.

 

Same here. No real issues with oil consumption (6 sdp). And, I also change oil (redline 5W30) every 3K.

 

Does anyone have the TSB that they can paste into this thread?

Dave

 

My conv was mfgd 3-01 38k miles (A4 trans)- just did a 4200 mi trip with no oil consumption

 

No problem here!

Chuck

 

Not true - my 01 A4 w/ 55K miles drinks about 2 quarts over 5K miles.

 

When I bought my '01, the oil burning issue was not an issue at all to me. So what...ya throw a little oil in it once in a while.

 

I don't have the TSB on this - possibly another member can post it.

One suggestion - have your local dealer do a search on the VIN. If that particular Vette (no matter if it's a A4 or MN6 since it is the rings that are the cause of this issue) has had the ring job done under warranty you'll be okay.

Additionally, this search will also tell the dealer if your VIN is one of the ones affected by this issue.

Hope this assists.

 

The oil burn was definitely an issue for some manual transmissions, but I have not heard anything similar for the A4s. Like it said above, GM attributed it to holding high RPMs in city driving. I don't know if that is correct, but that was GM's story.

 

The 01 oil consumption problem was primarly a Z06 issue, but the TSB does apply to several LS1 models as well. The initial rings they used for the LS6 did not seal well in high rpm, low load conditions. As most people don't drive around at high rpm with low load (e.g. tooling around at 4-5k when not accelerating), this issue wasn't seen by most owners. But for those that do like to drive around at high rpm low load, it was an issue and GM came out with the oil consumption TSB.

Here's some info on the topic I pulled off another thread:

1999-2002: Service Bulletin: Higher Than Expected Oil Consumption
Subject: Higher Than Expected Oil Consumption (Replace Rings and Engine Valley Cover)
Source: Chevrolet Dealer Technical Service Bulletin
Number: 01-06-01-023A

Models: 1999-2001 Chevrolet Camaro, 1999-2002 Chevrolet Corvette, 1999-2001 Pontiac Firebird, with 5.7L Engine (VINs G, S -- RPOs LS1, LS6)

This bulletin is being revised to add model years for the Corvette, information on the LS6 engine and parts information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-06-01-023 (Section 6 - Engine).

Condition
Some owners may comment on higher than expected oil consumption. When checked, the oil consumption could be in the range of 400-600 miles per quart (700-1000 km/L).

On the LS6 engine only, the technician may find oil behind the engine throttle plate and in the intake manifold.

Cause
The cause for this condition may be an interaction between the piston rings and the cylinder bore in vehicles that are operated at higher RPMs -- typically manual transmission vehicles driven in a manner where the engine is frequently or consistently operating at greater than 3200 RPM.

On the LS6 engine only, the engine has a unique aluminum valley cover that has composite oil separating baffles and PCV plumbing incorporated. In some cases, the PCV baffle may not be properly sealed to the valley cover, causing oil to enter the PCV system.

Correction
On the LS6 engine only, replace the engine valley cover if oil is found behind the throttle body or in the intake manifold before replacing the piston ring. Refer to Engine Valley Cover Replacement in the Engine Mechanical - 5.7L subsection of the Corvette Service Manual.

A new set of piston rings is currently available through GMSPO. The new rings are part of a complete piston ring kit. Install only the number 2 compression ring and the oil expander ring from the piston ring kit. All other rings in the piston ring kit should be discarded. The original number 1 compression ring and the oil ring rails should be re-used in their original positions on the piston. All pistons should be used in the same cylinder bore.

Important
Do not dress or hone the cylinder bore. Nothing should be done to change the bore finish for this condition. Changing the bore finish may aggravate the condition.

Refer to the Unit Repair Manual for appropriate ring removal and replacement procedure.

The number 1 compression ring and the upper and lower oil expander rails are re-used because they are already broken in for the bore that they are in. The new number 2 compression ring is made with a very sharp edge that will break in quickly.

Changing only the piston rings noted, with no change in driving style, should change oil consumption to an acceptable level. Changes in driving style that reduce the amount of time spent at higher RPMs will also positively affect oil consumption.

In addition to the standard size piston ring kit listed below, a 0.25 mm oversized piston ring kit is available. The oversized piston ring kit should only be used in those rare instances where the cylinder bore size has been machined larger to accommodate the 0.25 mm oversized piston rings.

Parts Information

Part Number
Description
Qty

12568002
Valley Cover
1

88984247
Ring Kit, Piston
8

Warranty Information

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time

J0250
Manifold or Gasket Intake - Replace Manifold
Use Published Labor Operation Time

J1307
Piston, Rod and/or Rings -- Replace, Both Banks
Use Published Labor Time

 

No Oil being used here, and I don't support the Oil companies with changing my oil every 3000 miles, I do what the computer says, anyway so far that is.

 

Why roll the dice with an 01??? Get another year, when I searched for a used C5 I wouldn't even consider an 01...I ended up getting a nice 99...There's enough problems with the C5(column lock, fuel gauge, rocking seat, leaky rear) for you to have to worry about an oil burner..