Is Your Gmt-900 Truck Or Suv Using Oil

[RockySierra]

Quite honestly, I don't think the oil consumption is going to be all that big of a deal when it comes to resale. I predict GM to continue to have higher resale values than Ford and Dodge just like they have in the past. GM already says using 1 quart of oil every 1500-2000 miles is normal and that is the industry standard for many vehicles from what I have been told. If it were really as big of an issue as people try to make it out to be on here, there would be more media attention.

[ERIE_ONE]

I wasn't so much referring to the oil usage directly. More to the fact that a carfax will show the vehicle history of being in the shop multiple times for excessive oil consumption, pistons, rings, etc.. for a specific vehicle. Would you buy a clean truck with a clean carfax, or the clean truck that has a carfax showing its been menaced with multiple repairs? Or multiple attempts at the same repair... By the looks of the poll here its not ALL 5.3 AFM equipped vehicles that are having issues. So the person that owns a plagued vehicle will likely see less money on re-sale. Just thinking out loud I guess.

[RockySierra]

I do not believe Carfax is specific as to what kind of repairs are done, though they do sometimes reflect oil changes. Also your assuming there is a high number of trucks out there that have an oil consumption issue. This is not the case. if it were the media would be all over it. I don't see it hurting the resale value of the brand overall.

Edited January 4, 2012 by RockySierra

[Wolfmanjohn]

......and we all know carfax is junk, anyway. It's just a tool (take the term, "tool" anyway you like).

[hillbilly4u]

Quite honestly, I don't think the oil consumption is going to be all that big of a deal when it comes to resale. I predict GM to continue to have higher resale values than Ford and Dodge just like they have in the past. GM already says using 1 quart of oil every 1500-2000 miles is normal and that is the industry standard for many vehicles from what I have been told. If it were really as big of an issue as people try to make it out to be on here, there would be more media attention.

 

 

 

 

(GM already says using 1 quart of oil every 1500-2000 miles is normal.) They now say under 2 quarts per 3k is normal. It may not be a big issue to someone, who can afford to trade often, but it sure is for the rest of us. I am not a young man, and have owned more than Chevys in my life. None I've owned, have used this much oil. Ford has quirks too. Sticking spark plugs, that break off in the block, and costs up to $500 bucks for a plug change, if they break. But they did finally revise the heads, and fixed the problem, Chevy just keeps sticking these engines in with no revisions, like nothings wrong. As far as media attention, I doubt anyones going to report on this without proof, for fear of a lawsuit. Resale is the same, because buyers are unaware of the problem, until they purchase. There is nothing wrong with being a die hard Chevy fan, except when you ask you're fellow truck owner, are you using oil? and he denys it out of shame, that his 40k truck is drinking oil like a 250k clunker.

[foghorn23]

I've read through the almost now twelve pages of this thread....depressing. I only have around 10K on my '11 5.3 and so far no problems. (fingers firmly crossed that I'll dodge this bullet- nothing a few miles won't reveal.)

 

If, as most in this thread believe, this is an engine design flaw there's really nothing I or anyone can do to avoid it now. If, on the other hand, it can be avoided by using an oil with a very low noack volatility (the percent of the oil that is expected to vaporize when repeatedly heated) http://en.wikipedia....OACK_volatility I think I'm going to switch my truck to Pennzoil Ultra at the next change. In their latest formulation volatility is listed as 6.4% for 5W-30

 

http://www.epc.shell...01112051450.pdf

 

By comparison most readily available synthetics are in the 10-12% range (Mobil doesn't list theirs, but Pennzoil & Quaker States dexos certified synthetics are at around 12%--I've been using these) and most conventional oils are just under 15% to meet API certification. I realize oil brand loyalty is almost as strong as truck brand loyalty, but I haven't seen a commonly available oil that can beat Ultra's numbers. If I have any control over my truck's rings and oiling system, I'm going to go down swinging with what I believe is the best oil available. If this doesn't work, I'll be the one trailing a very expensive plume of blue smoke.

 

Wish me luck

Edited January 6, 2012 by greywolf11

[ericr]

I have a GMC 2005 Aluminium block 5.3 4WD. It uses about 1 or 2 quarts of oil between changes, I bought the truck new and it did it after a year or two. I use Mobil1. It's

[oshkosh]

I have a 2000 Yukon XL ,5.3 ,use Mobil 1 and am consuming approx 1 quart every 1,500 miles with 130,000 miles...Not thrilled!

[BlackZ71Silverado]

2qts. under 3K is unacceptable IMO. There is no way that much oil should be "used" unless something is wrong.

Edited January 18, 2012 by BlackZ71Silverado

[[email protected]]

2008 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Z71 4x4 Crew

90,000 miles

 

I bought mine used with 52k miles in 2009. I thought I found a great deal at the time. A few months later was wondering why the oil gauge went to zero during a right hand turn. Pulled the dipstick and not a drop on it!!! WTF!!! only 2600 miles since the last oil change!! had to add 2 quarts. since then I carry two quarts under the hood.

 

I've also owned only GM. never had to add more than a quart between oil changes even on my '73 C2500. I put over 200,000 miles on my 93 Sonoma (4.3L) and never had to add any oil between changes.

 

So far I've been keeping an eye on it. Pretty much adding a quart every third tank of gas. Ridiculous! I've been using Valvoline full synthetic since I bought it. One good thing is no smoke so at least its not completely embarrassing.

 

Since I bought it with no warranty I haven't tried the dealer for any fixes. I've been keeping tabs on several forums to see what others have done to get the problem corrected. So far, and almost 30k miles later, it seems the only fix is a near engine rebuild and to disable the AFM right after. Anybody see another solution?

 

Over the holidays took a trip to Florida. Did an oil change before I left so I know it was full. Round trip of 1100 miles. When I got home checked the oil and nothing on the stick!! Had to add 2 quarts after 1100 miles. Time for a new engine?....ugh.....

 

My plan is to start shopping for a crate motor. I'm not a gear head but I've done a few engine swaps. Though this would be my first on a daily driver that still has another 2 years of payments. This is not going to be very enjoyable.

 

Anybody have suggestions/sources for a 5.3L crate motor? Do I need an AFM compatible motor? I found a 5.3L HO on Jegs but would it be a bolt in replacement? guess I'll call Jegs and see what they say too.

[NoMoreGM4Me]

Anybody see another solution?

 

 

 

A nice new F150 with the 5.0L...or a Ram 5.7L ;)

[nqabigt]

2008 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Z71 4x4 Crew

90,000 miles

 

I bought mine used with 52k miles in 2009. I thought I found a great deal at the time. A few months later was wondering why the oil gauge went to zero during a right hand turn. Pulled the dipstick and not a drop on it!!! WTF!!! only 2600 miles since the last oil change!! had to add 2 quarts. since then I carry two quarts under the hood.

 

I've also owned only GM. never had to add more than a quart between oil changes even on my '73 C2500. I put over 200,000 miles on my 93 Sonoma (4.3L) and never had to add any oil between changes.

 

So far I've been keeping an eye on it. Pretty much adding a quart every third tank of gas. Ridiculous! I've been using Valvoline full synthetic since I bought it. One good thing is no smoke so at least its not completely embarrassing.

 

Since I bought it with no warranty I haven't tried the dealer for any fixes. I've been keeping tabs on several forums to see what others have done to get the problem corrected. So far, and almost 30k miles later, it seems the only fix is a near engine rebuild and to disable the AFM right after. Anybody see another solution?

 

Over the holidays took a trip to Florida. Did an oil change before I left so I know it was full. Round trip of 1100 miles. When I got home checked the oil and nothing on the stick!! Had to add 2 quarts after 1100 miles. Time for a new engine?....ugh.....

 

My plan is to start shopping for a crate motor. I'm not a gear head but I've done a few engine swaps. Though this would be my first on a daily driver that still has another 2 years of payments. This is not going to be very enjoyable.

 

Anybody have suggestions/sources for a 5.3L crate motor? Do I need an AFM compatible motor? I found a 5.3L HO on Jegs but would it be a bolt in replacement? guess I'll call Jegs and see what they say too.

 

 

I have an 08 also, 41,000 miles and no oil usage (yet)

Amsoil 5/30 since 1,000 miles

Sevice manager @ GM dealer told me they had decarboned the rings on a few 5.3's

I'd power foam that engine before replacing !

 

BTW you are still under power train warranty, good luck

[ERIE_ONE]

2008 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT Z71 4x4 Crew

90,000 miles

 

 

 

100k drivetrain, take it in to the dealer.

[GuyGene]

hillbilly and greywolf, y'all are right I think. I've had Chevy, Ford, Dodge (Dakota, not full size), and it's hard to say which I like best, except for the Dakota, which I still have - it has been the best vehicle of any in my many years of driving (over 50!). It is a '93 with the 3.9L engine. My last Chevy was a '96 5.7L was it? The old 350. Now, that was a tough engine for sure. I guess the 5.3 is made on the same basic foundation (?), but to me, using oil is not good, not matter what GM says is okay. I mean, wow, not 1.5 or 2 quarts in 2,000 or so miles! I presently don't have a 5.3 engine, but this kind of information helps those of us who are presently looking to trade. I hope all goes well with your 5.3s.

[JaBradt85]

My 07 aluminum block uses .5-1 qt every 3k, I had no idea these trucks did it before I bought it. I just buy an extra quart and keep it in the back seat (Mobil Super High Mileage). I have seen no ill effects as of yet I have put almost 14k miles on it since April when I got it, now at 73k.