WOT oil consumption
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 352
Likes: 42
WOT oil consumption
I usually get 5000+ miles per quart on my 2001 Coupe, however, if I hit WOT a few times (which is hard NOT to do) it goes down to 3000 miles or even less. I've changed the PCV valve. Any idea why it's doing this? It all started when I put Amsoil in it instead of the usual Mobil 1. Now it's back to M1 and still doing it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 4
From: Rockford Illinois
Do you notice less oil, as its low on the dip stick? or is it that your computer tells you to change it earlier than normal?
If your not showing that your car is burning oil, I doubt you are having an issue with oil consumption.
If your not showing that your car is burning oil, I doubt you are having an issue with oil consumption.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 352
Likes: 42
The 'low oil' message comes up on the DIC. It always take a full quart to get it back to the normal level. No leaks on the driveway, it's getting burned.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 15
From: Jensen Beach FL
Common issue on these cars. Get yourself an oil catch can and install it. At least you can catch the oil before it gets sucked into the intake mucking it all up. Do a search on the forum for "oil catch can" and you can learn all about what they do and why they are necessary.
Last edited by craig04c5; Feb 2, 2010 at 04:42 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,265
Likes: 2
From: Tejas del Norte
St. Jude Donor '09
I disagree; he may be losing oil from the valve seals instead of (or as well from) the rings.
However, an "oil low" message from the DIC shortly after topping off - even after auto-xing - I think you're burning waaaaay too much oil. A little should be expected with temps 330+ and revs past 5k..
An experienced mechanic with a compression tester should be able to see if its losing seal on the compression or power strokes. If there's differences, it's a valve; if not, it's the rings.
Course, I'm a computer professional and not an experienced mechanic, but that's the way I'd go
$.02
However, an "oil low" message from the DIC shortly after topping off - even after auto-xing - I think you're burning waaaaay too much oil. A little should be expected with temps 330+ and revs past 5k..
An experienced mechanic with a compression tester should be able to see if its losing seal on the compression or power strokes. If there's differences, it's a valve; if not, it's the rings.
Course, I'm a computer professional and not an experienced mechanic, but that's the way I'd go
$.02
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 9
From: "Philly" Pennsylvania
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 4
From: Rockford Illinois
I disagree; he may be losing oil from the valve seals instead of (or as well from) the rings.
However, an "oil low" message from the DIC shortly after topping off - even after auto-xing - I think you're burning waaaaay too much oil. A little should be expected with temps 330+ and revs past 5k..
An experienced mechanic with a compression tester should be able to see if its losing seal on the compression or power strokes. If there's differences, it's a valve; if not, it's the rings.
Course, I'm a computer professional and not an experienced mechanic, but that's the way I'd go
$.02
However, an "oil low" message from the DIC shortly after topping off - even after auto-xing - I think you're burning waaaaay too much oil. A little should be expected with temps 330+ and revs past 5k..
An experienced mechanic with a compression tester should be able to see if its losing seal on the compression or power strokes. If there's differences, it's a valve; if not, it's the rings.
Course, I'm a computer professional and not an experienced mechanic, but that's the way I'd go
$.02
I was baseing my opinion on the 01's as alot of them have ring issues. The only fix for that is to replace them. If it were valve seasl you would see the car smoking a decnt amount at start up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 2
From: pawleys island sc
Common issue on these cars. Get yourself an oil catch can and install it. At least you can catch the oil before it gets sucked into the intake mucking it all up. Do a search on the forum for "oil catch can" and you can learn all about what they do and why they are necessary.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,983
Likes: 393
From: Stoney Creek Ontario
I found that when I made a dozen or so passes at the strip 2 or 3 times in a month, I'd use a bit of oil, maybe a qt, but last season though, after my mods - heads/cam, etc etc, no more oil consumption at all - even after a couple of track nights and a few dozen passes at the drag strip - must have been weak valve seals in the origional stock heads...after all, my vette is 8 yrs old.. but from what I understand, '01 models are known for piston ring problems...
Last edited by dankhts; Feb 3, 2010 at 11:35 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 352
Likes: 42
I disagree; he may be losing oil from the valve seals instead of (or as well from) the rings.
However, an "oil low" message from the DIC shortly after topping off - even after auto-xing - I think you're burning waaaaay too much oil. A little should be expected with temps 330+ and revs past 5k..
An experienced mechanic with a compression tester should be able to see if its losing seal on the compression or power strokes. If there's differences, it's a valve; if not, it's the rings.
Course, I'm a computer professional and not an experienced mechanic, but that's the way I'd go
$.02
However, an "oil low" message from the DIC shortly after topping off - even after auto-xing - I think you're burning waaaaay too much oil. A little should be expected with temps 330+ and revs past 5k..
An experienced mechanic with a compression tester should be able to see if its losing seal on the compression or power strokes. If there's differences, it's a valve; if not, it's the rings.
Course, I'm a computer professional and not an experienced mechanic, but that's the way I'd go
$.02
The '01 is know for piston ring problems? Really? Hadn't heard that, guess I better do some more research...
Thanks...
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 50
From: Goldsboro NC
hmmm i thought maybe ring flutter but if your low oil light is coming on then your burning more than "ususal". i use that term loosely bc i have an 01Z and they are prone to this sort of thing. I usually add a quart between changes. I have never gotten the low oil light.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
Get you're ducks in a row........
Read my post #18 in this recent CF thread .http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-z...-question.html The oil consumption issue affected all LSx engines (particulary those with manual transmissions) from 1999-2002. The LS1 had the same basic cause but not to the extent that an LS6 could* ( could means that oil consumption varied widely for reasons of driving style i.e. aggressive , high rpm with low MAP , ect.)http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...questions.html
Read post #18 an learn facts & not rumor or misinformation.
Read post #18 an learn facts & not rumor or misinformation.
Last edited by dieseldave56; Feb 5, 2010 at 09:46 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 352
Likes: 42
Read my post #18 in this recent CF thread .http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-z...-question.html The oil consumption issue affected all LSx engines (particulary those with manual transmissions) from 1999-2002. The LS1 had the same basic cause but not to the extent that an LS6 could* ( could means that oil consumption varied widely for reasons of driving style i.e. aggressive , high rpm with low MAP , ect.)http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...questions.html
Read post #18 an learn facts & not rumor or misinformation.
Read post #18 an learn facts & not rumor or misinformation.
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
Still 3 quarts in 5000 miles is very excessive to me, I never had one car burn oil like this except a 69 Chevelle with bad valve seats.
GM says lots of things are OK that we dont agree with!
GM says lots of things are OK that we dont agree with!
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 5,364
Likes: 38
From: King George VA
As mentioned above, oil blow-by of the rings is pretty common to LSx engines, particularly at sustained high rpm low load conditions. Likely increasing ring wear as the engine ages allowing more oil to blow by the rings and out the back of the car is not helping. Does your rear fascia have oil mist on it after extended high rpm driving? Mine always did.
This is one of the reasons most of the guys I race with in the SCCA T1 class drop in a new crate motor every year.
This is one of the reasons most of the guys I race with in the SCCA T1 class drop in a new crate motor every year.
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AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program (Members buy at Wholesale - a savings of about 25%)
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: LasVegas Nevada and NSW Aust
Do a compression and leak down test on each cylinder and that will tell you if your rings are the problem.
Most guys who build race engines and track them change the rings once they get to about 5 to 6% leakdown as you will start losing peak HP and notice oil blowby.
Most guys who build race engines and track them change the rings once they get to about 5 to 6% leakdown as you will start losing peak HP and notice oil blowby.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,042
Likes: 9,804
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
There is nothing wrong with your car. Even 3K miles per quart is not bad. There isn't anything wrong with your rings, valve seals, PCV or any other thing. LS engines will use about a half quart to a full quart per day of heavy track driving where you are at WOT for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. That is about 200 miles per quart. Using a catch can will not stop the useage. Go out and enjoy your car there isn't anything to worry about.
The back of my cars were always covered with the thin film of oil that Subdriver mentions except when the thin film was covered with thick wet power steering fluid from blowing a power steering pump on the track.
Bill
The back of my cars were always covered with the thin film of oil that Subdriver mentions except when the thin film was covered with thick wet power steering fluid from blowing a power steering pump on the track.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Feb 6, 2010 at 06:15 PM.