I did a search, but didn't find the results I was looking for, so I apologize if this question has already been asked.

I just purchased my first Corvette last friday. A 2001 6 speed Coupe. The Dealer claimed they changed the oil, putting synthetic oil in it. When I was fiddling with the gauges I saw that the oil life remaining was 33%. So they either A) forgot to reset it, or B) they lied about changing it. I checked the oil it was full, and clean (light transparent golden brown color, not darkish brown/black like used oil)

I will change the oil my self in the future, the question is... what brand / type / weight should I use? Stay Synthetic?

I hear people saying Mobile 1, others saying German Castro (or something similar) What oils do you guys prefer?

The car has 65,000 miles on it, it's very clean, won't be raced hard... a few street races every now and then, but I'd say maybe one or two quarter mile runs a month.

Also, I hear people say that "Corvettes use alot of oil" ... what does this mean? How does it "use" oil? Burn it? Need to be replaced faster/sooner than normal?

Thanks!

Eric

 

check in the glovebox - there should be a cool looking black leather like portfolio that has this wonderful looking book in it. That owner's manual has all the answers to your questions from the authoritative source.

 

Actually there's not =[

I did download a pdf manual for the car, however it fails to answer any of the questions I asked.

The manual doesn't give opinions of which "brand" of oil you think performs better, nor explain how it "uses" oil excessively.

Your snide comment is duly noted as is your eagerness to be the first wittily scold the "newbie" for asking a question.

 

You must use synthetic oil that meets GM4718M, preferred 5W-30, but can also use 10W-30.

Mobil 1 5W-30 is factory fill.

A lot of manual C5's will "blow oil" through the PCV valve into the intake manifold when over 3500 rpms. They can also burn oil by cylinder/ring wear.

Some C5's (including 2001's) had problem rings in them and used a lot of oil. There was a recall that replaced rings if oil usage was bad (600-800 miles per quart of oil).

You can put a catch can on the PCV system to keep oil out of manifold or use a small hole PCV valve (GM part #12572717). Note: this is a factory fix for other Chevy V8's, not the LS1, but lots of people use the fix on the LS1. It mimics the LS6 PCV system.

 

Thanks for the info OldVetter. Much appreciated!

 

Welcome and enjoy your “new” Corvette.

Use oil that meets GM-4718M specs as Oldvetter stated. Read the label.

Valvoline synthetic meets this spec and sells for around $22.00 for a FIVE-quart jug at Walmart. (Car uses 6.5 quarts) Many, myself included dump in 7 quarts after a complete oil drain, with filter. Check your dipstick after the sixth quart and after running the car for a minute or two after refill.

Some regard the Valvoline Synthetic being superior to the Mobil-1. If anything I believe it’s at least just as good.

(Mobil-1 at my local Walmart sells for $27.00 for a FIVE-quart jug.)



-

 

Welcome aboard,be careful what you say regarding street racing it is not allowed and they will lock your post.As far as oil to use you will hear a million different opinions.bassicly use what brand you prefer just make sure it meets the proper specs.as far as consumption there was some years that used more than others but it also depends on how you drive it.Its a great car just enjoy the ride

 

In 2001 GM went with some different piston rings. This caused some oil usage problems which were solved under warranty by replacing two of the three rings and not honing the cylinder. C5s typically do not use a lot of oil. I have owned two. A 97 that I beat on the track for 6 years and an 03Z that I have been beating on the track for 6 years. Never had an oil consumption problem. Never ran a catch can. Always ran Mobil 1 5w30 and added an extra quart when tracking the car.

As for the street racing go to a test and tune session at a strip to find out how much you beat your buddies by. Better yet take some time to learn how to drive the car fast at some HPDEs and then when somebody challenges you on the street you will already know you lapped a similar car 3 times on a road course and you can just look down your nose at them. Its a great feeling when you know you are superior.

Bill

 

I use mobil as it was what the car came with. I never had a reason to switch brands. As the saying goes, "if it aint broke, dont fix it"

 

Good advice above! Stick w/ Mobil 1 5w30 and you can't go wrong. Oil consumption varies engine to engine. Some eat it, some don't! Less than a quart per 5000 miles is no big deal unless it increases interval to interval.


Welcome to the C5 world!

 

Let me first welcome you to the forum. Also advise that this forum is different from other forums in that we are very civil and helpful. It is difficult on forums to hear the inflections from a posters responce. TGstring was not being snide, but actually trying to be helpful. Stay on this forum and you will find that to be true. Nuff said

On to your questions: Oil consumption ( an old and misunderstood story).http://www.rjsmith.com/gm-894549.html

As you see this oil issue goes back a long time to 1999 but effectively covers C5es to 2004. The basic problem occured when the Gen 3 was introduced ( 5300 utility alloy block). The cylinder bore coolant passages are siamesed with the exception of the last 20 mm which has a little slot to allow coolant to pass thru. ( this has since been changed in the Gen 4 LS2, ect). This was insufficient cooling and results in hot spots on the cylinders that distort the cylinder diameters.

The machining of the cylinder bores tolerances are too large so that the cylinder taper and bore diameters are not sufficient to handle the new rings.

The new rings are thinner (1.5mm) and have less tension (9 lbs). This was done to decrease internal friction and obviously increase hp.

GM engineers were baffled by the customers complaints ( no one know how many customers complained). The engines of the largest oil comsumption were torn down but nothing was evident. Those cars were also given to other drivers ( apparently less aggressive drivers) that could not duplicate the problem (according to Chief Eng. Dave Hill in 2002).


With the introduction of the LS6 in 2001 the oil consumption issue was really bad ( some reported 400-600 miles per quart). GMPT contacted customers that complained and asked specific questions about their personal driving habits. Once the GM acquired the questionaire results they devised a test under controled conditions. The results were that at high engine speeds ( 3500 rpm- up) with no or light loads caused piston ring flutter. High engine speed and low MAP ( manifold absolute pressure). At least this is what John Juriga , Asst Chief Engineer for Gen 3 Engines stated back in 2002.

Interestingly enough according to John Juriga, when customers were informed as to the cause of this oil consumption , that by altering their driving habits ( shifting into third gear instead of winding it up in second) most customers were happy. Manual transmission cars were the worst offenders




GM's fix was to replace the ring pack with a higher tension (13 lbs) with a more aggressive Napier (scraper ) ring face. This was implimented for production year 2002. The '97-2001 LSx engines had only the second and oil control rings replaced if you could prove to the dealer ( dealer test on a case by case basis) that oil consumption was an issue.

The actual problem , as stated by Jordan Lee , GMPT engineer on the Gen 4 engines in 2005 was , as I mentioned was infact cylinder bore distortion! The LSx OEM ring face ( less aggressive scraper) and ring tension could not handle the bore destortion. A band -aid fix was the heavier tension rings and the Napier scraper face.

Both Jordan Lee and Mark Damico state that this knowledge went into the redesign of the Gen 4 engines. The LS2 has LESS ring tension overall than the 2001 LS1/LS6. And the rings are thinner at 1.2mm ( down from 1.5mm). This is because the rings and cylinder bores are more compliant , again because the coolant passages , cyl. bore machining tolerances were tightened and the Napier ring face was continued.


In mid -April of 2001, new pistons were introduced to the production line for the LS6 ( several weeks later the LS1). This redesigned piston had closer piston to cylinder wall tolerances and a first time ( for GM production) polymer anti friction coating to address the long time complaint about cold start piston slap.

Interesting also is that with the LS6 the oil seperator / baffle as repositioned under the intake pan , away from the LS1 valve covers location. This helped for sure ( unless the seal was bad). The Gen 4 LS2 (2005) has two PVC oil seperators , one at the freas air inlet and one at the foul air exit.

Side note : read on the C6 topic area that C6 owners also have issue with oil consumption. Check PIP4388 " Aggressive Driving Engine Oil Consumption / LS2 April,2008 " and calemaster's post #16 GM ID # 1953897 http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...l-problem.html

Well , there is the oil issue truth. Oh, my advice is to stay with Mobil 1 as it came from the factory. And if you are consuming oil , to which GM says that 1 quart per 2000 is normal, install a descent oil catch can and or relocate the stock oil seperator / baffle to the LS6 location. See posts by Dave68 , as he reported on testing that he's done.

 

Welcome to the Corvette world and to the forum! This forum is very friendly and useful.

I own a 1998 six speed and use MOBIL 1 synthetic. I've never had to add oil between changes, which I have done every 5-6000 kms at MR. Lube. It's about $90 Canadian with the OEM oil filter instead of a generic filter.

Have fun with your car and stick to the track for racing!!

 

Welcome to the forum Be careful to check the oil only with the vette on a level surface. The "batwing" shaped oil pan is more sensitive to non level situations than other sump designs and will show low on the dip stick if not fairly level. I thought my 2004 MN6 burned oil at first before discovered this. I actually over filled it because my driveway slopes. Now I check it when I fill up at the gas station.

 

Congrats on the new car. Holler if you need any help with it. I'm local.

 

Thanks Tech.

 

WOW dieseldave56,

That is the best explanation of the oil usage problem I have EVER seen !

I learned a few things today, THANKS

 

Valvoline Synthetic is awesome, its all I used to use til my last fill when I tried Royal Purple, but that was a $75 D-I-Y oil change so screw that in the future. I'll be visiting Wal-Mart myself to get some of the Valvoline. Mobil 1 is over-hyped. I use AC Delco filter. Part number PF 46 I think? If you are worried about oil consumption get a catch can, it also serves as under-hood bling. 65k is nothing, I bought mine with 66k about 3 years ago and its almost at 90k. Not 1 major expensive repair yet. Enjoy the car, its pretty nice.

 

Unrelated to the oil question, to use the search you must use the "advanced search" it will keep you from getting a zillion unrelated threads. Good Luck and Welcome to the Forum.

 

I hear everyone talking about a catch can. Where is it installed? I'm not a great mechanic, if I have a book, or instructions I'm pro =P but I admit computers are my thing, not car engines. I wish I could transfer my computer knowledge into car mechanics.

How hard is the catch can to install? Do I have to strip much out to get to it? Where/what brand would you recommend? (I don't even know what it looks like)

 

A search of “Catch Can” resulted in this - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/sear...rchid=10935378

AND this link with photos of one variety catch can - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...2000-vert.html



Another informative site - http://ls1howto.com/