Oil overfill causing consumption problems?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
Originally Posted by VET4LES
That's not what I'm saying. In my case 5 1/2 quarts is the top line on the dip stick. When I add the extra 1/2 quart it takes it above the line. I have read that some members say 5 1/2 quarts is at different locations on the dip stick. I'm not saying that is too much it's just where 5 1/2 quarts is on my stick. 
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 369
Likes: 34
Originally Posted by S2K
Some of you may have seen my other posts concerning my epic journey to get my oil consumption problem properly diagnosed and fixed. Basically it took 7 months to get them to finally diagnose that 2 of the cylinders were leaking. They tore the engine down and put new rings in those cylinders. the thought was that all was fixed. However, 1300 miles later and the car consumed 1.75 quarts of oil which is the worst consumption I have had.
Made them do another leakdown test which came back near 0%. Based on the tech notes, this is what Chevy Tech Assist told them.
Oil level was 1/2 quart over filled. Oil level is supposed to be 1/2 way between the top and bottom hash marks.... Tech Assist says oil will burn faster if over filled.
So basically they did an oil change adding 5.5 quarts. They ran the car for 10 minutes and let it sit for 15 minutes. They measured the oil at exactly 1/2 way on the stick and they want me to return in 350 miles (which is less than a weeks driving for me).
What do you guys think? I never heard this middle of the stick business. I also don't think that this is anything but more BS, however, I am not a mechanic.
Made them do another leakdown test which came back near 0%. Based on the tech notes, this is what Chevy Tech Assist told them.
Oil level was 1/2 quart over filled. Oil level is supposed to be 1/2 way between the top and bottom hash marks.... Tech Assist says oil will burn faster if over filled.
So basically they did an oil change adding 5.5 quarts. They ran the car for 10 minutes and let it sit for 15 minutes. They measured the oil at exactly 1/2 way on the stick and they want me to return in 350 miles (which is less than a weeks driving for me).
What do you guys think? I never heard this middle of the stick business. I also don't think that this is anything but more BS, however, I am not a mechanic.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,565
Likes: 5
From: stafford country, va. Avatar: Me on turn 3 @ Bristol (The World's Fastest Half-Mile)
Originally Posted by S2K
It cannot be the stick. I went through 7 months of oil consumption tests all using the same stick. So, even if the stick was wrong, it would still read the correct consumption from one check to the other. Also, I've had the Oil Low light on many times and that has nothing to do with the stick.
in that case, i agree, it would most likely not be the stick. just out of curiosity did you by any chance compare the stick with another ?
how are your exhaust tips ? are they dark with soot ? do they dirty up quicker than to be expected, indicating your burning the oil.
imo, if they tore it down once, replaced the rings, and it's still drinking oil like water, i would try to get a new engine. i can understand trying to fix an older engine that your (or anyone) has souped up and is a project but a 'brand new' one in a $50K car. nope, not acceptable.
btw: when I mentioned overfilling increasing your pressure I was referring to overfilling by 2 or more quarts, a 1/2 quart isn't gonna cause any issues.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 6
From: Spicewood, Texas, USA TX-Texas
Mechanic 
.
They are trying to deflect the cause of the problem off onto your behavior. They are out of answers...It may be time to start pounding your Chevrolet service rep for a buy-back.
A half quart over nominal fill should have no effect on performance of the engine in everyday use, but an engine also shouldn't be run that way routinely. Check the oil level after doing a filter change and adding exactly 5.5 quarts. Do it yourself, or have it done by someone with no vested interest...sleight of hand happens everyday in service shops. The level shown on your dipstick afterwards is "Full", REGARDLESS of where it falls on the dipstick. Mark the dipstick there if you want a permanent reference point.
Dipsticks/Dipstick tubes can be made wrong or installed incorrectly. Adjusting the "full" oil level to the middle of the cross-hatched area is ignorant, inexperienced, "born-yesterday" lot boy behavior. The engines are just not that sensitive to a half quart overfill, even if it did happen.
There is something else fundamentally wrong...they are either not smart enough to find/fix it, or the dealer/GM is unethically trying to stall you until this lemon is out of warranty. It wouldn't be the first time it happened...I finally traded my worthless GM lemon on a Toyota. Not surprisingly, that GM division is now out of business.
.They are trying to deflect the cause of the problem off onto your behavior. They are out of answers...It may be time to start pounding your Chevrolet service rep for a buy-back.
A half quart over nominal fill should have no effect on performance of the engine in everyday use, but an engine also shouldn't be run that way routinely. Check the oil level after doing a filter change and adding exactly 5.5 quarts. Do it yourself, or have it done by someone with no vested interest...sleight of hand happens everyday in service shops. The level shown on your dipstick afterwards is "Full", REGARDLESS of where it falls on the dipstick. Mark the dipstick there if you want a permanent reference point.
Dipsticks/Dipstick tubes can be made wrong or installed incorrectly. Adjusting the "full" oil level to the middle of the cross-hatched area is ignorant, inexperienced, "born-yesterday" lot boy behavior. The engines are just not that sensitive to a half quart overfill, even if it did happen.
There is something else fundamentally wrong...they are either not smart enough to find/fix it, or the dealer/GM is unethically trying to stall you until this lemon is out of warranty. It wouldn't be the first time it happened...I finally traded my worthless GM lemon on a Toyota. Not surprisingly, that GM division is now out of business.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 5
From: Seattle WA
A couple of points in reply:
1. I have not had the chance to check my stick against another's. Actually that doesn't sound very good does it?
2. Since they drained the oil and put in 5.5 quarts and it came to the center of the hash marks, I find that interesting. I don't think they are BS'ing me on this point. I am very surprised that it would come to center.
3. I've driven about 500 miles since and, much to my surprise, the oil level has not moved from center. I will continue to watch this closely of course, but this encouraging.
1. I have not had the chance to check my stick against another's. Actually that doesn't sound very good does it?
2. Since they drained the oil and put in 5.5 quarts and it came to the center of the hash marks, I find that interesting. I don't think they are BS'ing me on this point. I am very surprised that it would come to center.
3. I've driven about 500 miles since and, much to my surprise, the oil level has not moved from center. I will continue to watch this closely of course, but this encouraging.