Oil usage
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,011
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From: Greenville SC
St. Jude Donor '10
Oil usage
I've had my 00 coupe for about 2 months and the low oil message has come on twice now. I have only put about 1600 miles on and the majority of those miles have just been normal cruising around. Sure I get on it a little bit here and there but honestly I haven't had the car floored more than 3 or 4 times and only for a couple seconds. it doesn't leak at all and I'm wondering if having heads, cam headers etc contributes to this loss of oil. Also there is about 1/16th inch of oil in my catch can.
Just wondering what other people experience and if I'm correct in thinking it uses more oil the harder one drives it.
Thanks
Just wondering what other people experience and if I'm correct in thinking it uses more oil the harder one drives it.
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 15,560
Likes: 166
From: Long Island NY
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I have heard that is normal, i have the same dillema, but never ever gotten the low oil message, mine is just a tad low though, good luck, hopefully some expert can help
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Greenville SC
St. Jude Donor '10
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You mentioned heads. They certainly can contribute to oil usage problems if they weren't assembled/machined properly. Most stock C5's use little to no oil with normal use.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
my oil consumption comes from running a ProCharger. The added pressure forces some oil into the PCV and the intake. I am going to be installing two catch cans soon to prevent this.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 287
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From: Bay Area California
Oil Consumption
Unfortunately, this TSB may be related to your problem:
Quote:
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
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).
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.
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.
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.
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
Description
Qty
12568002
Valley Cover
1
Valley Cover
1
88984247
Ring Kit, Piston
8
Ring Kit, Piston
8
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Operation
Description
Labor Time
Description
Labor Time
J0250
Manifold or Gasket Intake - Replace Manifold
Use Published Labor Operation Time
Manifold or Gasket Intake - Replace Manifold
Use Published Labor Operation Time
J1307
Piston, Rod and/or Rings -- Replace, Both Banks
Use Published Labor Time
Piston, Rod and/or Rings -- Replace, Both Banks
Use Published Labor Time
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From: Waldorf MD
Race Director
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I have to disagree with that. I know a lot of people who have LS1 powered vehicles (C5s and F-bodies) and in talking with them I find it's rare to actually have one that doesn't use 1/2 quart of oil or more between changes. Mine uses a quart every 4000 miles.
Team Owner
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,341
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C1 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C2 of Year
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
I'm aware of the 01 Z06's. Some had a ring issue that was attributed to holding the revs high while cruising. I also have seen the bulletin posted above. Unless the car's are heavily modded and driven extremely hard I don't believe the C5 is noted for excessive oil usage.
