I've been looking for my very first Corvette, a convertible, and was [I]this close[I]to buying a 2001 off of flea-bay, but it turned out to be grossly misrepresented, so I flew all the way down to florida, (from NC) and didn't buy it. But just before I left, a fellow forum member sent me a PM warning me of oil consumption issues on early 2001 models. Anyone familiar with this issue? I don't want my first "vette experience" to be one I'd rather forget. Thanks for the help, guys, this site rocks!

 

Sorry to hear about your bad trip. I've also flown to FL to see a clunker. Unfortunately many '01s (mostly 6 speeds- because of "ring flutter") do have that problem and with so many low mileage Vettes this problem will bite new buyers forever. Good luck on your search.

 

is this problem endemic to the 2001's only? Was the problem addressed in later models? If I got a 2000 or a 2002 would the issue be moot? I don't want problems here, just fun.

 

Yes, some of the '01 cars did have some oil consumption problems. Seems the #2 ring on the pistons was the cuprit. I had this issue on my '00 and my dealer replaced the rings under warranty - no problem since. The issue was mainly with 6-speed cars, but not all had the problem.

 

I own a 2001 with a M6. I would say I burn a quart every 1500 miles and I drive it moderately most of the time. I have heard it said on this forum that not all 01's had the problem, just the early ones. Well, how do I tell where my car was in the build schedule and when the fix was implemented during the model year.

Thanks.

 

There was a Tech Service Bulletin issued describing that problem. In theory it covers 99-02 but it seems to be the 01s that were most affected. I've never had a problem with my 02 model.

http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/q....php?qstId=263

 

I also have a 01 M6 coupe, never had a problem with oil consumption, must be one of the lucky ones.

 

Mine is covered by a warranty still and I just printed this link. I am headed to the dealership next week to see if I can get the new rings installed. I have always noticed excess oil consumption when I bought her in '03 with about 24,000 miles. I really don't run it that excessively hard so I feel it should be fixed. Wish me luck!

 

You might consider sending a PM to CF Member Sponge Vette or Gene Culley. They can run your VIN through the GM VIS and they can give you the service and origination history on your car. It will tell you the build date as well as the service work that has been performed at the dealer on your vehicle.

 

The sticker on your driver's door should give the month of manufacture of your car.
The '01 showed this oil burning problem as that is the model year that the HP rating of the LS1 increased from 345 to 350. Supposedly it is mostly in mn6 cars that frequently run high rpm's at light load.
I have an '02 six speed and have never had a problem. I just took a 2300 miles road trip in my car and could see practically no difference in oil level on the dip stick after the trip.
I was seriously considering buying an '01 back in '04 but after I heard all the stories about the "oil burning '01's" I removed the '01's from my possible shopping list. I felt like I was avoiding the risk of buying a garage queen that was already out of warranty yet could possibly have a serious problem that the garage queen owner had never noticed because of the extremely limited mileage and use of the car.
Good luck in your continuing search for your car!

During the course of my search back in '04 we drove 425 miles to see an '03 in Jax, Fl. and while we were in the car lot office buying it, some idiot backed into the Vette and drove off. Needless to say we did not purchase the Vette with front end damage. We then drove back home to Mobile, Al. and flew to Philly, Pa. the next day and bought our pristine '02 that had only 4007 miles on it at the time. We drove it back to the Gulf Coast (1285 miles) over the next few days having the time of our lives.

Remember that the seach is part of the Corvette challenge and enjoy every minute of it.

 

My 01' has 46,000 miles on her and under normal driving not a drop of oil consumption.
Bottom line per GM if you are one of thos people who have a "stick" car and drive like Ricky Racer in town with the rpm at "no load" 3k or more then there is a slight ring flutter and a little oil is used.
I just came back from a 850 mile trip over three different 10,000 foot passes in the Sierra Nevada and record heat, you may have heard about a couple weeks ago. I used about 1/4 quart of oil and the engine temp reached 232 a few extended times, my AC on all the time.
Yes I went to pay my Nevada state tax, craps and blackjack.

 

01 A4 coupe here and no problems

Chuck

 

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.


High rpm and light load = jut shift already.

 

Hope you get it fixed

Press them hard

 

Well what I can't help but wonder in that statement is it something that if you stop running above 3200 you're alright or if it is already doing it are you hosed? I just picked up my 2k1 and had to put a quart in it on the trip back, it still wasn't topped off. The P/O said it lost about a quart per 3k which isn't very bad IMO, for it's mileage it is high but I can live with that. Only time I had it rev over 3k was just listening to the B&Bs sing getting on the entrance ramps. Guess I can always use this as an excuse to get some Livernois Heads.

 

I have an '01. It uses about a quart between oil changes. This includes spirited driving about 50% of the time; rush hour traffic the rest. Oh, by the way, it is always HOT here. Oil consumption not a problem here.

 

I bought a 01' in May w/ 30k and I too use around a quart or two between changes, really pisses me off considering i sold a 99 which didnt use a drop even w/ 60k

 

If you are looking at an early 2001, it would be worthwhile to have a dealer printout a service history. I bought mine a year ago with 6500 miles on it. When I took it to a dealer for an oil change I asked them to run a history. It had the pistons and rings replaced under warranty at 3900 miles. I haven't any problem with oil burning.

 

only in a vert

 

Plenty of used C5's out there..Why take a chance with an 01?? I bought used and stayed away from 01's...My 99 doesn't burn a drop...