Low oil light (scary experience) please advise
 

I had a scarry but interesting experience the other day. I was not really aware that i should check the oil level every 1000 miles so i did not but more was focused on the oil life gauge. I have the Z51, LT3.
2 days back i started hearing a valve chatter in the morning start up and then that afternoon my low oil pressure light came on. I dont think it was my low oil light but the low oil pressure.
I pulled over and checked the oil level and showed no oil on the dip stick.
Long story short i was down 7 quarts!!!! and even after the 7th quart it was still not full. I went to the dealer and said, depending on the driving it burns a quart every 1000.

My question is why didnt my low oil light come on after down 2 quarts as with my C5 it always let me know when low. I cant believe my engine did not blow up!!!
dave

I think your service writer is full of chit. In my mind any new car that burns a quart of oil in 1000 miles is broke. BTW. check for leaks, and always check your oil regularly.:) If it keeps burning that much oil I suggest another dealer that has Tech's with some common sense.

Agree with Rebel. Neither of my C7 LT1 dry sumps required any oil added at all between changes, about 4500 miles for the way I drive. At most, they were 1/2 quart low when the oil was changed.

Something isn't right, and I'm wondering if it was filled properly at the last oil change. Good luck and I hope you have no permanent damage, but I'd be very concerned.

When was the oil last changed and who did the work? If it was a dealer, it is very likely that they did not fill it up to begin with. If it was consuming that much oil, you would be smoking like a freight train...

Amen to that ! no way that car should be burning 1 quart of oil for every 1000 miles, that's ridiculous. The only way that happens is if there's something wrong with the car, leak, bad piston rings or you have a couple of hundred thousand miles on it.

Was changed at the dealer 3000 ago

No smoke at all

Since this is Z51 with the dry sump do you know the correct proceeding for the checking the oil? It requires the car to be run up to operation temperature then wait 5 to 10 minutes before checking the oil level. If you checked when cold it would read nothing on the dip stick.

Did you check the level before you left the dealership when they last changed it? If not, you need to start doing so because they have also been known to overfill the dry sump system. Another option and one that I live by is to change it yourself.

If no leaks it sounds like it was not filled properly at your last oil change. I change every 7,500 or so, and never burn a drop according to my dip stick. And yes.....if it was burning oil to the tune of 5 quarts or so in 3,000 miles from your last change you would have noticed smoke at one time or another. Me thinks the dealer who last changed your oil has some splaining to do!
I know this is of no help now, but I'm one of those that checks the oil level every day before I take the car out for a drive, as well as tire pressure.
Hope no damage done. Will have positive thoughts for you and your car. :thumbs:

You need to find another dealer ASAP with a qualified Corvette tech who knows what they are talking about. No way should a car burn a quart of oil every 1k miles. In your case to go through 7+ quarts in 3k miles indicates you have a serious problem.

Thanks, i dont know where the oil is going if its not burning. No leak, no smoke!

Do you have any evidence that the oil was ever filled to the proper level between the last oil change and when the oil pressure light came on?

wait there's a dipstick?

wait there's a hood latch?

wait, there's oil??

Dipstick can be found at the dealership service department...

Nope, only a trunk latch...

Nope, it's a sealed system...no oil required

my '88 F-150 burned 2 quarts between changes, ford said it was normal. I sold it.
for 45 years I've changed oil in vehicles. I almost always drain 9/10's of Fill. (i usually measure it).
you either have an engine problem, or a prior-technician-problem which has caused an engine problem.