Loss Of Oil... How Much Is To Much

[mix9]

I just got a low oil level warning on my 2005 Sierra. It has been just under 3000 miles since my last oil change. I checked the oil level and it was just below the low point of the operating level. Adding about 1.5 quarts got it back to normal. The last time I was in for an oil change they said it was quite low and to keep an eye on it. I have noticed no smoke from the exhaust or oil on the ground under my truck at work or at home. I have been using Mobil 1 Synthetic for the last 16,000 or so and changing oil every 4000 miles. Total miles on the truck is about 52000. An ideas of what could be causing this oil level drop? Thanks , Jason

[det07]

I just got a low oil level warning on my 2005 Sierra. It has been just under 3000 miles since my last oil change. I checked the oil level and it was just below the low point of the operating level. Adding about 1.5 quarts got it back to normal. The last time I was in for an oil change they said it was quite low and to keep an eye on it. I have noticed no smoke from the exhaust or oil on the ground under my truck at work or at home. I have been using Mobil 1 Synthetic for the last 16,000 or so and changing oil every 4000 miles. Total miles on the truck is about 52000. An ideas of what could be causing this oil level drop? Thanks , Jason

 

Jason, Not sure but I just sold an 05' that used oil like your truck. No leaks and no white smoke.. I am interested to see what these guys have to say. Matt

[tanked_darren]

What size engine?

[jrod332]

my 05 seems to do the same thing. its a 5.3. I tow alot so Im not sure if it has anything to do with that.

[mfennema]

My 07 is using oil at about the same rate as yours. According to GM 1 quarter per 2000 miles is acceptable oil use....I say BS

[REV353]

Try and change brands or weights of oil, that helped in my 8.1

[dewfpo]

Try and change brands or weights of oil, that helped in my 8.1

 

X2, I went from a 5W30 in my 8.1L to a 5W40 and the oil consumption almost went down to half what it was with the 5W30.

 

DEWFPO

[redvett]

How much towing do you do? Towing makes the engine work harder and it will use more oil. Larger tires, hard driving will also consume more oil.

[tanked_darren]

My engine (4.8) started using just under a quart every 5000km (3000miles?) around 60,000km, I switched to synthetic (mobil 1) at 80,000km and now it would seem Im not burning no more.

 

I'm not saying that this will fix your problem, but just saying.

[Z45]

I have never had a GM engine use oil. Then again, I always use 100% synthetic oil.

 

Under normal operating conditions, excess oil consumption is generally a mechanical problem.

 

Technically Speaking

Oil is consumed in one of two ways:

 

1. You either burn it

2. You leak it

 

Leaking

In the majority of cases where we have investigated oil consumption problems, it usually turns out to be a leak issue – either the valve cover gasket is leaking, or one of the main seals is leaking. Something along those lines. A bad gasket down in the pan could also cause the leaking.

 

Burning

When you are burning too much oil, it might also be because you're not using a high enough quality oil.

The reason I say this is because if you are using a high quality oil, it is going to keep the piston ring areas clean, and the ring belt areas clean. If those areas are kept clean and free of carbon deposits and such, you will not consume as much oil. But when those get dirty and covered with carbon and the rings can’t move freely. You will start to have a high oil consumption rate.

[r1byker]

I say you're probably burning it at freeway speeds. Try having someone follow you around on the streets and get on the throttle to see if they see any smoke. Also, any soot at the tailpipe or around it? Those would be indicators.

 

That's my two cents. Hmmm, maybe I should check the oil on my Suburban; it has the 5.3.

[mix9]

Thanks all for the input. It is a 5.3, I do very little towing and still running stock sized tires. I'll try a different oil weight and see.

 

Thanks again!

[ken1mod]

Sir,

 

If you have read my posts, I believe someoil consumption is normal and OK. Yours is way too much.

 

Ken

[Ryloth]

Does your 5.3l have AFM?

 

Here are a few threads to read over...... They may or may not pertain to your oil consumption problem though. Just thought I would throw them out there.

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117751

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=106204

[the hammer]

This used to happen on the LS1 vette and camaro engines, and of course some of our trucks. it has to do with the vaporization of some oils at operating temps. Even Mobil 1 would do this in the vettes, and somtimes the PCV system is to blame.

 

What I suggest doing is to change your oil and use German Castrol 0W-30. It is a TRUE full Synthetic oil (only one of the Castrol Syntec's thta is) and is literally made in Germany. Only Autozone sells it and some Pep Boys. It is on sale at Autozone right now with a Fram filter (don't use the fram filter though, get a better filter).

 

The German Castrol is rated as a 30 weight, but it is a thicker 30 weight, almost a 40 weight. if you still use oil after using the German Castrol, then you have other issues.