LS1 Oil Consumption
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia
LS1 Oil Consumption
Hi all,
My questions: I understand the LS engines tend to consume oil under normal operation, or so I've been told. Is this true and how much is typical? C5, LS1. Apologies if this Q is in the wrong area and if its been answered. I couldn't find a thread.
The deets: I have a 2002 C5 with just shy of 33k miles on it. I've had it 2 years and I've noticed that the oil is consumed between changes. I never worried about it because typically I went and had it changed once that message popped. It was roughly every 5k mi. Now, I understand I can take the interval out further and was planning to take it to around 7.5k mi. So I swung by my local store and grabbed a bottle of the Mobile 1 5W-30 oil. I grabbed a 5qt due to pricing. When I filled it this morning, it seemed to take quite a bit more than I expected. I have no signs of any problems; no oil puddling, no leakage signs, no oil burn smell, no exhaust smoke. I am leaning towards this is normal operation, but since I don't have experience with LS1s, is it true that they consume oil between intervals? How much do they typically consume?
Thank you in advance for your answer. Just want to make sure I'm in normal operating conditions before I start hunting for something that isn't there.
My questions: I understand the LS engines tend to consume oil under normal operation, or so I've been told. Is this true and how much is typical? C5, LS1. Apologies if this Q is in the wrong area and if its been answered. I couldn't find a thread.
The deets: I have a 2002 C5 with just shy of 33k miles on it. I've had it 2 years and I've noticed that the oil is consumed between changes. I never worried about it because typically I went and had it changed once that message popped. It was roughly every 5k mi. Now, I understand I can take the interval out further and was planning to take it to around 7.5k mi. So I swung by my local store and grabbed a bottle of the Mobile 1 5W-30 oil. I grabbed a 5qt due to pricing. When I filled it this morning, it seemed to take quite a bit more than I expected. I have no signs of any problems; no oil puddling, no leakage signs, no oil burn smell, no exhaust smoke. I am leaning towards this is normal operation, but since I don't have experience with LS1s, is it true that they consume oil between intervals? How much do they typically consume?
Thank you in advance for your answer. Just want to make sure I'm in normal operating conditions before I start hunting for something that isn't there.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 675
Likes: 195
From: Green Oak Township, Michigan
In 5K miles, yea...You could be down a quart. I would say that thats normal. In 17 years, ring seal technology has vastly improved. My 2015 Silverado uses 1/2 a quart in 6K miles. I change my 98 Corvette every winter. Maybe 2K miles. Its not down at all. Never tried taking it to 5K. For you, I would say that when its down 1 quart, just change it . Why waste money adding anything. If you only drive it in warm weather, try some 10w-30. Wont hurt a thing, and might make your consumption go down...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,804
Likes: 358
From: Northville, MI
When I change my oil I always put 7 qts in. Since I autocross extensively It is usually at the full mark or just below when I change the oil. With a motor that lives above 4000 rpms so often this is not bad for a 3,000 mile oil change (once every fall before it is up for the winter.)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia
I should've made that clear from the beginning. No, I did not use all 5qts. It was last changed at a Chevrolet dealership around 5k miles ago and I used between 1-2qt to get it back into range. I'm not doing a complete change just yet.
Last edited by mgibso01; Jul 18, 2019 at 11:25 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia
In 5K miles, yea...You could be down a quart. I would say that thats normal. In 17 years, ring seal technology has vastly improved. My 2015 Silverado uses 1/2 a quart in 6K miles. I change my 98 Corvette every winter. Maybe 2K miles. Its not down at all. Never tried taking it to 5K. For you, I would say that when its down 1 quart, just change it . Why waste money adding anything. If you only drive it in warm weather, try some 10w-30. Wont hurt a thing, and might make your consumption go down...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 333
From: Leesburg Fl
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '14,'18
With 107k miles& not driven hard, I have to add a quart at 4k. Have a great time as I have with my 02 but I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a 2014
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From: Chicago
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My dad has been a mechanic for 65 years. He's worked on everything from Corvettes at Nickey Chevrolet in the 1960s to the Deuce and a halfs when he ran a motor pool in the Air Force. He has always said that cars will use oil. As long as you are not adding more than a quart every 1,000 miles, than that is normal. I had a 2006 Grand Prix GXP with the aluminum 5.3, and every 1,200 miles I had to add a quart of Mobil 1, and he said that was normal, and that I shouldn't worry. I've never had another car that has used oil like that GP. My wife's Audi A6 will use a quart around 6-8,000 miles. I've never added any oil between changes on my Escalade or my Acadia that I had before that.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia
My dad has been a mechanic for 65 years. He's worked on everything from Corvettes at Nickey Chevrolet in the 1960s to the Deuce and a halfs when he ran a motor pool in the Air Force. He has always said that cars will use oil. As long as you are not adding more than a quart every 1,000 miles, than that is normal. I had a 2006 Grand Prix GXP with the aluminum 5.3, and every 1,200 miles I had to add a quart of Mobil 1, and he said that was normal, and that I shouldn't worry. I've never had another car that has used oil like that GP. My wife's Audi A6 will use a quart around 6-8,000 miles. I've never added any oil between changes on my Escalade or my Acadia that I had before that.
Last edited by mgibso01; Jul 18, 2019 at 02:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia
Thanks. You probably have the closest experience so far to what I am doing. If you don't mind me asking, how often do you change your oil?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,883
Likes: 76
From: Portland OR
I usually charge it around when it tells me (the weekend after the oil life hits 5%). I leave my DIC on instant MPG and try not to look at the miles. It had 72k when I bought it 5 years ago. I commute in it 10 months out of the year and drive it every chance I get.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
I have an 01 Z06- LS6. They were known for ring flutter on the engine due to a new ring design. My car burns about 3/4 to 1 quart of oil between changes or 5000 miles. I also fill it to 7 quarts when I change it. She only has 24000 miles on her, and she burns exactly the same amount as the LS2 I had in a previous 2005 C6. I don't track the car, but some say that the LS engines will burn oil under those conditions. I ran both the C5 Z and the C6 about the same, and both had the same amount of oil consumption with spirited driving.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia
Thanks. I bought mine with 10,5k two years ago and drive mine daily ~9mo of the year. I have throuoghly enjoyed every mile of the last 23k and want to make sure I keep it that way. Good luck with your seal.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia
I have an 01 Z06- LS6. They were known for ring flutter on the engine due to a new ring design. My car burns about 3/4 to 1 quart of oil between changes or 5000 miles. I also fill it to 7 quarts when I change it. She only has 24000 miles on her, and she burns exactly the same amount as the LS2 I had in a previous 2005 C6. I don't track the car, but some say that the LS engines will burn oil under those conditions. I ran both the C5 Z and the C6 about the same, and both had the same amount of oil consumption with spirited driving.