Oil consumption
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
Oil consumption
I have read on previous posts that GM considers consumption of one quart of oil per 2000 miles to be normal if you have a 6 speed and spend a lot of time in the higher RPM range. Would this also be true for a car with the 4 speed automatic transmission, and the 3.15 rear end, that is mainly driven on short trips? Thanks, I just got surprized by the low oil alert for the first time. Am I unreasonable to think there should be no oil consumption or is this just the nature of a high performance engine?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 621
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: Oil consumption (ohonepewter)
I think it is reasonable to expect no oil consumption. Just because it is a high performance engine does not mean it has to burn oil.
I am lucky, my car will not burn a drop of oil. I take it to the track, hit the rev limiter, keep oil in for 5000 miles and no change in the level, no oil added. I think it is a design flaw of the pistons and rings on pre-2002 cars.
Good luck
I am lucky, my car will not burn a drop of oil. I take it to the track, hit the rev limiter, keep oil in for 5000 miles and no change in the level, no oil added. I think it is a design flaw of the pistons and rings on pre-2002 cars.
Good luck
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Re: Oil consumption (Spiral Bri)
Nope can't blame it on pre-2002 Vettes. Mine is a '00 FRC, 6spd, 39.5k, daily driver, hasn't used any oil between 4k mile oil changes--I check weekly. I bought used, but know the previous owner didn't thrash the car. I run through the gear box on occasion, the occasional run up in the rev range, but mostly just spirited driving once in a while.
Unfortunately, the fact that oil consumption is a "luck of the draw" is sad. My guess is that most don't abuse their Vettes, as it seems that many rarely drive them at all.
Unfortunately, the fact that oil consumption is a "luck of the draw" is sad. My guess is that most don't abuse their Vettes, as it seems that many rarely drive them at all.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
Re: Oil consumption (Spiral Bri)
I think it is reasonable to expect no oil consumption. Just because it is a high performance engine does not mean it has to burn oil.
When I owned my LS1, it used less than 1/8th quart of oil every 3k. I drove that one even harder (went to the dragstrip a lot more often and made way more passes each time too) So if my 98 LS1 didn't burn oil, why do so many newer LS1s do it?
Are any 2003 owners having major consumption issues, or did GM finally fix it?
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 19
From: Knoxville TN
Re: Oil consumption (ohonepewter)
A friend showed me a GM fix the other day that specified replacing one piston ring in the set. The fix didn't use the other rings in the set and didn't replace the bearings either. Not what I'd call a good fix but there was a comment about the M6 and RPMs above 3500 on a continous or frequent basis.
Advanced
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Medford NJ
Re: Oil consumption (nightboom)
The C5's may consume oil if you drive at high speeds at a low gear. Since you have an auto, you may want to pull out more slowly when the engine hasn't been running ( i.e. sat overnight)
But technically speaking, there is no oil consumption issue.
Try to keep a log of your driving habit and the weather conditons. These can affect your C5 consuming oil. You may alos want to change the oil and put a new filter on. The oil itself may have lost its properties to perform its best.
If you think its consuming too much, you can always take a triop over to your mechanic or friendly Chevrolet service deartment to have a look see.
But technically speaking, there is no oil consumption issue.
Try to keep a log of your driving habit and the weather conditons. These can affect your C5 consuming oil. You may alos want to change the oil and put a new filter on. The oil itself may have lost its properties to perform its best.
If you think its consuming too much, you can always take a triop over to your mechanic or friendly Chevrolet service deartment to have a look see.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 0
From: Panama City Beach FL
Re: Oil consumption (Sabby)
2001 LS1 engines are very well know to be oil chuggers. Do a search on the the topic and you'll find some owners had new piston rings installed by the dealer (paid by GM).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 8
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Re: Oil consumption (ohonepewter)
I have an 01 Vette 6-spd with 10k that is using a quart about every 700 miles. It is scheduled for a re-ring. I had a '99 Camaro SS with 21k and the same LS1 engine and it didn't use any oil between changes. I have a 2000 Vette that I just bought used with 20k on it and my fingers are crossed!