Normal Oil Consumption
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 492
Likes: 10
From: Sacramento California
Normal Oil Consumption
The dealer claims that the LS1 motor is designed to consume a fair amount of oil. The '98 vert recently had an oil change and now at 83% still showing on the oil life meter and 1,300 miles later, my low oil light popped up. I have not checked yet to see on the dipstick but if it is a quart down, is this normal consumption?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
Originally Posted by tiojames
The early vettes did consume more oil than the later ones. I can't remember what the usage is for a factory repair, but I'm sure some one with and older C5 will post.
FWIW, my 98 uses no oil at all. I went 9k on my last interval and the level on the dipstick did not move one bit. I also had a 98 Firebird Formula (LS1 engine as well) which I bought new in 98 and it never burned any oil either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Originally Posted by SeeFiveOhFun
The dealer claims that the LS1 motor is designed to consume a fair amount of oil.
Maybe they just meant the LS1 design just causes the engine to use more oil than other engines.
A quart every 1,300 may be typical, but I would not think it is normal.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
My '01 Vert ( early August "00 production) is supposed to be the probelm child for oil consumption. She has 87,000 miles and with a 4,000 mile oil change interval, I consume NO oil.....
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,135
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From: "Land of Mojo" Toms River NJ
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Originally Posted by SeeFiveOhFun
The dealer claims that the LS1 motor is designed to consume a fair amount of oil. The '98 vert recently had an oil change and now at 83% still showing on the oil life meter and 1,300 miles later, my low oil light popped up. I have not checked yet to see on the dipstick but if it is a quart down, is this normal consumption?
Thanks!
Thanks!
To answer your question, I would go to your dealership and have an oil cunsumption test performed and if you still have a warentee have the motor fixed!!!
Good luck,
Supercharger John
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Idavette98
'98 with 36000 miles and no oil loss between changes (but then I change oil every 1500-2000 miles).
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
From: Boise ID
Originally Posted by f430killer
Why? That seems excessive, GM says our synthetic is good for 15k miles, Im changing mine every 5k miles and Ill still be good.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 743
Likes: 1
From: Bartlett IL
The 97 to 2000 ls1's can consume more oil due to their pcv system. If you do a lot of compression braking (engine braking) It will suck oil into the intake manifold and burn it. If you don't drive it hard, its not a problem. Thats why you see people putting catch cans on them. Other than that Im not sure on the 01 up models. I've herd that the 01 ls6 motors consume oil past the valve seals but I could be wrong. On a mercedes (wich I work on) they won't warranty a motor unless it consumes a quart or more over 1000 mi. They have 8 quart capasity. Its funny too, It seems that the only ones that consume oil (mercedes wise) Are the ones that get neglected. Ones that were taken care of (oil changes every 12K as per service) last over 300K with no problems. If you arn't a completly honest person you can fool the oil consumption test. Just take a little oil out every week. Unscrew the oil filter drain it and re attach it. Just don't get too greedy with it. You can't be 3 quarts low when you only put on 100 mi. That should get you your rering or a new short block 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 492
Likes: 10
From: Sacramento California
update
Originally Posted by SeeFiveOhFun
The dealer claims that the LS1 motor is designed to consume a fair amount of oil. The '98 vert recently had an oil change and now at 83% still showing on the oil life meter and 1,300 miles later, my low oil light popped up. I have not checked yet to see on the dipstick but if it is a quart down, is this normal consumption?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,298
Likes: 4
From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
Originally Posted by Patman
Actually it seems to be the other way around. The 97-00s seem to consume less oil than the 2001-2004s. The 2001s especially seem to be the problem year due to the low tension rings they used.
FWIW, my 98 uses no oil at all. I went 9k on my last interval and the level on the dipstick did not move one bit. I also had a 98 Firebird Formula (LS1 engine as well) which I bought new in 98 and it never burned any oil either.
FWIW, my 98 uses no oil at all. I went 9k on my last interval and the level on the dipstick did not move one bit. I also had a 98 Firebird Formula (LS1 engine as well) which I bought new in 98 and it never burned any oil either.
I took a 4600 mile trip and used .5 qts of oil and it was do to hard driving. My $.02Rsty
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
Originally Posted by binkysgarage
Chevrolet used to say 1qt between oil changes was normal.
I believe the "standard" has changed to 1 qt per 1k miles.
If it's more than that, then it's considered excessive. Less, not a problem.
Mine seems to use more if I spend a large amount of time above 3k rpm.
Interestingly enough, as the mileage on my car has increased, the oil consumption has decreased. I used to go through 4 or 5 qts between changes. Now it's 1-1/2 or 2.
Side note: The (C-x only) mechanic I use says it is partly due to the synthetic being sooo slippery compared to 'normal' oil, and that the LSx can be such a low rpm engine (idle at 900, cruising at 70 in 6th, 1300), true breaking time for the engine can be as long as 40-50k miles.