'01 oil issues.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Canton Mi
'01 oil issues.
After reading the forum I need some clarification. What are the issues with the '01 and oil usage. Are the rings the primary concern? Was a fix ever put into place during the model year? I have heard the PCV valve can also be an issue. I have not really noticed my '01 using much oil, but I do change the oil often so that may be the reason why. Should I have a concern regarding this issue, or is it even an issue. Thanks, Mark.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,064
Likes: 18
From: Arizona
Re: '01 oil issues. (kosbe)
My 01' used oil like noones business. failed 2 oil consumption tests and the dealer still didnt do anything about it. From my understanding there are 2 problems. 1 is the pistons are allowing blow by. And 2 the PVC system is not correctly engineered. I recently swapped my motor to a 02' LS6 with the new PVC system and all is well. Minimal oil useage.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 21,335
Likes: 979
From: Various places in Southern California.
Re: '01 oil issues. (kosbe)
The 2001 oil buring problem is due to new low-tension rings that GM started using to improve fuel economy and reduce friction. Unfortunately, at mid to high RPMs and light loads, the rings tend to "flutter" allowing oil to get past them. No fix was introduced to production in 2001. The fix went into all 2002 Z06s from the beginning of 2002 production, while LS1 motors got the fix a couple weeks into 2002 production.
The fix is a ring swap with a new ring design on the second compression ring. It seems to work well, from the reports on this forum. However, if you're not experiencing a problem (and most 2001 owners do not have a problem), then there is nothing to worry about.
The PCV system does allow some oil usage, but this is not a problem specific to the 2001 cars. There is a fairly simple fix for this available from some of the supporting vendors.
The fix is a ring swap with a new ring design on the second compression ring. It seems to work well, from the reports on this forum. However, if you're not experiencing a problem (and most 2001 owners do not have a problem), then there is nothing to worry about.
The PCV system does allow some oil usage, but this is not a problem specific to the 2001 cars. There is a fairly simple fix for this available from some of the supporting vendors.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,630
Likes: 8
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Re: '01 oil issues. (ICULUKN-C5)
Mine goes through about a quart every 1,200 miles...you just have to keep an eye on it.
I change my oil every six months (regardless of mileage and I normally put about 3K miles a year).
I change my oil every six months (regardless of mileage and I normally put about 3K miles a year).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles CA
Re: '01 oil issues. (kosbe)
Big oil burner here....about a quart every thousand miles. And now motor is pinging and dealer says it may be due to carbon buildup and wants to do a de-carb overnight. ME thinks there is some correlation between the two. :skep:
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
Re: '01 oil issues. (RskyBns)
I also burn about 1 qt every 1200 miles. I'm on the consumption test but have doubts if I should even bother bringing it in to be fixed. Knowing my luck, the dealer would probably break something else. :rolleyes:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,349
Likes: 37
From: New Milford CT
Re: '01 oil issues. (boost2much)
The GM BS Corporate line is open for all who want to listen! Nobody drives around town in 1st and highway speeds in 3rd!
I could baby my car or wail on it but it just liked to use a qt every 1000 miles, no matter what, like so many others. Don't tell me I broke it in wrong, I broke in 5 other brand new cars over 15 years, no problems.
This is just GM's way of saying, "its not our fault it is your fault! " BS! Anyway, Gm is real good at fixing the problem.
I have not read of one re-ring where anything went wrong. Not even a scratch! My dealer put in all my engine/clutch/exhaust mods for $500 during the job. So I came out better than fine. All I did was ask, and he said yes.
It sure is nice to check the oil now, knowing it will not be down a qt. It comes down to doing nothing if the car is on leaseor sell it if the whole thing makes you too nervous, or get the rings if you are planning to keep it forever, like me.
Hope this helps, and tell us how it comes out.
I could baby my car or wail on it but it just liked to use a qt every 1000 miles, no matter what, like so many others. Don't tell me I broke it in wrong, I broke in 5 other brand new cars over 15 years, no problems.
This is just GM's way of saying, "its not our fault it is your fault! " BS! Anyway, Gm is real good at fixing the problem.
I have not read of one re-ring where anything went wrong. Not even a scratch! My dealer put in all my engine/clutch/exhaust mods for $500 during the job. So I came out better than fine. All I did was ask, and he said yes.
It sure is nice to check the oil now, knowing it will not be down a qt. It comes down to doing nothing if the car is on leaseor sell it if the whole thing makes you too nervous, or get the rings if you are planning to keep it forever, like me.
Hope this helps, and tell us how it comes out.
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: El Cajon Ca
Re: '01 oil issues. (kosbe)
This is not limited to 2001's. My friends 2000 has a consumption issue.
There was also a recent post about someone's 2002 having the same
problem. If you perform a search on archived posts you'll find lots
to read about.
I initially leased my 2001 because I was concerned about this issue.
Fortunately I have not noticed any consumption so I purchased the car
after a year. Many oil burners also report they're exhaust tips are
always black apparently from blow-by. Mine stay incredibly clean
which, I assume, is a good thing.
There was also a recent post about someone's 2002 having the same
problem. If you perform a search on archived posts you'll find lots
to read about.
I initially leased my 2001 because I was concerned about this issue.
Fortunately I have not noticed any consumption so I purchased the car
after a year. Many oil burners also report they're exhaust tips are
always black apparently from blow-by. Mine stay incredibly clean
which, I assume, is a good thing.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Re: '01 oil issues. (Duck916)
Quote Duck916:
The PCV system does allow some oil usage, but this is not a problem specific to the 2001 cars. There is a fairly simple fix for this available from some of the supporting vendors.
:Quote
Duck916, I called MTI in Houston and asked about the PCV issue. They wanted >$350 to fix mine. The recommendation was to open the motor and shave off something so they could install an LS-6 system.
Is this what you are talking about?
The PCV system does allow some oil usage, but this is not a problem specific to the 2001 cars. There is a fairly simple fix for this available from some of the supporting vendors.
:Quote
Duck916, I called MTI in Houston and asked about the PCV issue. They wanted >$350 to fix mine. The recommendation was to open the motor and shave off something so they could install an LS-6 system.
Is this what you are talking about?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 768
Likes: 129
From: Vacaville Ca
Re: '01 oil issues. (ShelbyC5)
I bought my 2000 C5 new in May of 2000 and has never used any oil since day one in 9k miles I usualy end up changing the oil around 3500 miles. Mine happens to be an A4 so maybe automatics are a little easyier on the motors.My other buddies drive a 98 and 99 also with no oil issues. :smash:
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Spring Texas
Re: '01 oil issues. (0-60N4)
Quote Duck916:
The PCV system does allow some oil usage, but this is not a problem specific to the 2001 cars. There is a fairly simple fix for this available from some of the supporting vendors.
:Quote
Duck916, I called MTI in Houston and asked about the PCV issue. They wanted >$350 to fix mine. The recommendation was to open the motor and shave off something so they could install an LS-6 system.
Is this what you are talking about?
The PCV system does allow some oil usage, but this is not a problem specific to the 2001 cars. There is a fairly simple fix for this available from some of the supporting vendors.
:Quote
Duck916, I called MTI in Houston and asked about the PCV issue. They wanted >$350 to fix mine. The recommendation was to open the motor and shave off something so they could install an LS-6 system.
Is this what you are talking about?
They are splicing the PCV hose and installing these units....You can get one
at home depot in the air compressor area for about $10.00 :thumbs:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 4
From: Austin TX
Re: '01 oil issues. (kosbe)
Before I trashed the factory installed engine in my 01 it was using One (1) quart aboiut every 600 miles. I was in the queue for the new rings when my car overdosed on water trashed the engine. I had it replaced with a 2002 engine and it has been pefect. Litle or no oil consmpion after 10K miles. I pushed the last oil change to 5K miles just to be sure.
[Modified by Dick Kriss, 1:22 PM 2/7/2003]
[Modified by Dick Kriss, 1:22 PM 2/7/2003]
