Just got home from work -- about 11:30, working on these briefs since 6am this morning. Figured I'd take the car out, work off a little steam.
Got down about 2 miles from my house, and the "low oil" light comes on!!!
Stop off at a gas station, buy some 5w30 synthetic, drop 2 quarts in--- going up a hill about another 2 miles later-- 2@#$@#$ light goes on again!!
I JUST bought this car last week (on friday -- 2000 'vert). The oil was a LITTLE low, so we didn't think anything about it-- took about half a quart. This is so @#$#$% aggravating. Had a nice road trip planned this weekend too. Looks like I'll spend it at the dealership.
Any ideas what this could be? Is this a common problem?

 

This happens to me every once in a while when I park on an incline and the oil level sensor gets "confused". Usually, it goes back to normal after driving or parking with the car level for a little while. Be careful that you check it on a level surface after it's had a chance to drain back down.

 

For some reason, parking the car nose down will cause this problem.
It happened to me once right after an oil change so I knew I was ok.
The oil has to drain back into the pan before you can get a valid reading on the stick.
Chances are you don't have a problem.

 

Could be a problem if it has to much BLOOD!!! :U :mad :rant: :banghead:

 

I think the problem might be legit. I park it on a level surface, and when I measured it, it was low-- really low. Car actually took two quarts.
There is a service bulliten about this that my brother (he's a mechinic) is emailing me-- seems to address my exact problem, but, from him reading it to me over the phone, seems to only apply to ls6 motors.... seems that there was a problem with ls6 motors comsuming "more than normal" amounts of oil (1 qrt/400 miles)-- problems with the o-rings on ls6's.
Any other ideas?
car is not smoking one bit, and I don't see any leaks.

 

Actually it's well documented here on the Forum that the LS1s also in some years have had oil consumption issues. Mine was one of them. You'll see different theories as to who is to blame for it. GM originally denied it altogether, and as time passed they came out saying that in 6-speed cars that were driven with "low load," meaning high RPMs in the lower gears, there is "flutter" of the piston rings, causing oil to get by them. Then there ensued the speculation as to what was the demon RPM at which this problem occurred. Some folks said 4k RPMs, some said higher. In my car, above 3k RPMs caused considerable consumption, and I found that unacceptable in a performance car. The problem is much less common in auto tranny cars, but my guess is this is because those transmissions tend to typically shift at a lower RPM, thereby avoiding the problematic RPM range.

The bottom line is that some dealers are cooperating with this problem and others drag their feet. There is also some type of GM document on this, but I don't know whether they called it a technical service bulletin or something else. In my case and that of others, the good dealer will have you come in and will fill your oil, change your PCV valve to a newer more restrictive valve, then send you off with instructions to come back after 1k miles. If your car consumes 1 quart or more in that time, then they will change the top ring on each of your pistons. That change helped my car immensely.

If you do a search for the word "consumption" here in the forum you'll likely find more detail on this, including some friendly debate and doubt as the problem evolved.

Good luck.


[Modified by SteveL2, 8:16 AM 8/6/2003]

 

Steve's correct. Below is the TSB for the LS6. Actually, I would replace both the rings and valley cover assembly if I were experiencing this problem.

I hav the pre-Z06 block LS1-to-LS6 valley cover conversion procedure if you decide to do it.

Higher Than Expected Oil Consumption (Replace Rings and Engine Valley Cover) #01-06-01-023A
Higher Than Expected Oil Consumption (Replace Rings and Engine Valley Cover)
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).

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.

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.

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.


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

12568002
Valley Cover
1

88984247
Ring Kit, Piston
8


Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

 

I was draining my radiator on an incline. When I started the car, the low oil light was on. I checked the dip stick and it was 2 qts low :eek:
I added one quart and drove around and the low oil light came on again.
I got home let it sit for awhile. I then checked the oil and it was just above the full mark :confused:
Glad I didn't add 2 quarts like the stick read... I wonder if the oil gets trapped behind a baffle when the car sits on an incline like that. Maybe it takes a while for the oil to drain back or the sensor just needs some time.
mike

 

Definitely check your oil after she's been sitting for at least an hour. I check the oil level after sitting overnight. Though I realize that it might read a bit low (since the oil is now cool), it is easier to read.
I wouldn't add two quarts when you get the warning. Go with one quart and then check your oil after it's had a chance to pool in the pan overnight. Too much oil is just as bad as little or no oil.

 

Ok, so my brother is going to change the oil completely for me, and top it off, and while he's at it, he's going to check all the other fluids. My plan is, for the next two weeks, keep driving the car. I'm going away on vacation in two weeks. At that point, I'll drop it off at the stealership. Any problems with this? I really don't drive the car much, but I would like to enjoy it for the next two weeks. If I keep an eye on the oil, do I risk damaging anything?
(assuming the rings are the problem, of course. My brother noticed no leaks, and at idle, there appears to be nothing burning. Seems right in line with the GM advisory.)

 

There is an official oil consumption testing program for cars that fall within the campaign parameters. They require that you undergo a monitored test where they change the oil and you drive it over a period of time where they periodically check the level. If the consumption exceeds the minimum, they will schedule you forthe re-ring.

You must meet their criteria and subscribe to their test if you want them to address the problem.

 

LMFAO :jester

Keith