Oil consumption?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 651
Likes: 45
From: Raleigh area, NC
Oil consumption?
I definitely have no leaks clean garage floor- so far put about 5000 miles on my 63K auto, used about 1/2 to maybe 3/4 quart.
Would we say this is normal?
It's an auto so most of the time lives below 2000 rpm, occasionally leave it in 3rd so it gets some rpms.
Would we say this is normal?
It's an auto so most of the time lives below 2000 rpm, occasionally leave it in 3rd so it gets some rpms.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 651
Likes: 45
From: Raleigh area, NC
I changed it back in October when purchased, driven 5000 miles, pretty certain full 6.5 qts after change.
I was between the 2 dots on the dipstick after a couple thousand, and now after 5000 was between the 2 dots again, added almost half a quart each time.
If you are on the lower dot does that equal 1 quart low?
Would you guys expect to go through a quart every 5000 or 10,000 miles?
I was between the 2 dots on the dipstick after a couple thousand, and now after 5000 was between the 2 dots again, added almost half a quart each time.
If you are on the lower dot does that equal 1 quart low?
Would you guys expect to go through a quart every 5000 or 10,000 miles?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 657
Likes: 181
From: Houma Louisiana
I wouldn't say that is normal, maybe a higher mileage car. I do 3K oil change intervals on my 98 with 106K and my oil level is still right on the mark at every oil change. As someone else mentioned maybe you didnt completely fill her up when you did an oil change?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
You're going to hear and read varying opinions on oil consumption. Some C5s will consume no oil, some may see minor consumption. The thing is a little oil consumption between changes is not uncommon and should not point towards any issues. Major oil consumption will obviously point to a problem.
You will lose some oil through operation of the PCV system. Oil is pushed through the intake and burned off as part of the combustion process; this is normal operation. The year C5 you have will also be key. Earlier C5s tend to burn off a bit more oil due to their PCV setup. For 2001/2002 cycle the PCV setup for the LS1 was redesigned. Specifically 2001 cars received a service bulletin - if my memory is correct - to install the later 2002-2004 style.
As owner of a '99 model, I have observed approximately half a quart of oil burn off between 5,000 mile oil changes.
You will lose some oil through operation of the PCV system. Oil is pushed through the intake and burned off as part of the combustion process; this is normal operation. The year C5 you have will also be key. Earlier C5s tend to burn off a bit more oil due to their PCV setup. For 2001/2002 cycle the PCV setup for the LS1 was redesigned. Specifically 2001 cars received a service bulletin - if my memory is correct - to install the later 2002-2004 style.
As owner of a '99 model, I have observed approximately half a quart of oil burn off between 5,000 mile oil changes.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 74
From: KcMo.
2018 C5 of Year Winner
Sorry I just re read your post.... You're experiencing blow by. Look into installing a catch can. Such a common add on with these cars because of the same thing you're experiencing
I'll put one on when I go F/I...
I'll put one on when I go F/I...
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
If you don't consume any oil at all in 5000 miles, you must putt around at 1300rpms all day.
Let me borrow one of these "not a drop" cars and I'll bet the farm it needs at least one quart by 5000 miles.
OP, that sounds like standard oil consumption. Even GM stated that less than a quart within 1000 miles is normal for these cars. (I believe that's the mileage they claimed)
Personally I wouldn't even sweat adding 2 quarts within 5000 miles, but then again I drive my car hard
Let me borrow one of these "not a drop" cars and I'll bet the farm it needs at least one quart by 5000 miles.
OP, that sounds like standard oil consumption. Even GM stated that less than a quart within 1000 miles is normal for these cars. (I believe that's the mileage they claimed)
Personally I wouldn't even sweat adding 2 quarts within 5000 miles, but then again I drive my car hard
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
Sounds normal.... I use about a qt after 5000miles, but I drive my car the way it was designed to be...... Hard! I row gears all day long!
Last edited by sfc rick; Mar 23, 2016 at 05:00 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Exactly, my friend. The car has been 40k miles since I bought it 3 years ago and it drinks a quart between changes, I can live with it.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
I have been living with it for years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
You're going to hear and read varying opinions on oil consumption. Some C5s will consume no oil, some may see minor consumption...
The year C5 you have will also be key. Earlier C5s tend to burn off a bit more oil due to their PCV setup. For 2001/2002 cycle the PCV setup for the LS1 was redesigned. Specifically 2001 cars received a service bulletin - if my memory is correct - to install the later 2002-2004 style....
The year C5 you have will also be key. Earlier C5s tend to burn off a bit more oil due to their PCV setup. For 2001/2002 cycle the PCV setup for the LS1 was redesigned. Specifically 2001 cars received a service bulletin - if my memory is correct - to install the later 2002-2004 style....
Again IIRC, the indicator was using 1/2 quart or more between oil changes.
My car was in the sn range, but I elected to not tear down the engine, just monitored usage. Never had an issue, and consumption never increased.
Last edited by aj98; Mar 23, 2016 at 07:08 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
I've never owned a v8 that did not use some oil between changes, this consumption sounds "normal enough" to me.
and it is directly proportional with how hard car is driven. Also my mechanic always says you should check your oil in the morning before you start the car and should be in the middle of range not the top.
and it is directly proportional with how hard car is driven. Also my mechanic always says you should check your oil in the morning before you start the car and should be in the middle of range not the top.