Is Your Gmt-900 Truck Or Suv Using Oil

studly · January 27, 2014

The TSB indicates that GM started equipping some motors with the fixes in 2009 but others up to 2011 still require the fixes. So, if you have a 2012 or newer, you probably don't need to worry about this AFM oil consumption problem.

I retract this statement. I think I misread the TSB. It looks the the problem affects motors from 2007 to 2011. Certain 2007-8 motors get a different valve cover than 2009-11 motors.

Stex · January 28, 2014

I don't know...at this point I'm hoping GM realized the issues and corrected the mistakes in a new design...if not the next truck will have a blue oval.

Thanks for the reply strike 1st. I hear you. GM had better have the '14s fixed as to eating oil. My '09 is at 60,000 miles and will be out of wty in 3 months. Using 1 1/2 -2 qts per 5,000 mile oil change. So, wty goes away and oil consumption jumps to the GM oh we would fix that level of burn but sorry Charlie out of wty. .

Heck my '90 GMC sub only burns 1/2 qt on a 4,000 mile oil change and it has 356,000 miles on an original 350 ci engine. Most of that is valve stem seals.

I was looking at Blue oval but now they have the aluminum thing going. Having worked in metallurgy, I am going to let that work out before going there. Well the 2015 Stang looks good and I hear you can see out of it, unlike the Camaro. So maybe keep the 09 oil well and get a stang for kicks.

So hope the '14 works and like you say surely (don't call me Shirley) GM has the oil thing fixed now. If not, I would return it like the old lady returns tires on the discount commercial.

Folically Challengjed · January 28, 2014

Thanks for the reply strike 1st. I hear you. GM had better have the '14s fixed as to eating oil. My '09 is at 60,000 miles and will be out of wty in 3 months. Using 1 1/2 -2 qts per 5,000 mile oil change. So, wty goes away and oil consumption jumps to the GM oh we would fix that level of burn but sorry Charlie out of wty.

I believe if you start documenting the problem now, you'll have much better chance of success later. If you haven't done any oil consumption tests, start immediately, and get the issue on their books.

FC

Stex · January 28, 2014

I believe if you start documenting the problem now, you'll have much better chance of success later. If you haven't done any oil consumption tests, start immediately, and get the issue on their books.

FC

Thanks, but have already done such. Oil use just below GM guidelines. Either way not good, as you either have an oil burner or the engine opened up. Just not a good choice and hopefully the '14 owners will not have to make such a choice.

dataspng · January 29, 2014

Thanks, but have already done such. Oil use just below GM guidelines. Either way not good, as you either have an oil burner or the engine opened up. Just not a good choice and hopefully the '14 owners will not have to make such a choice.

I'm in the same boat... Not using enough oil for repairs under warranty, 94K on 2011 Silverado, the miles I put on it I will be out in a month or two. Shame because it didn't us a drop until 70k and now its using it fast. By my calculations it will be using enough for GM multi-step repair process at 110K or so.. I will keep the documents but doubt I will want to (call, pay for it and wait for a check, multiple trips to dealer, nag, fight etc.) to get out of warranty work done.

Looked at the 14's while waiting for my last oil analysis check.. Nice truck. Sticker shock! Not a single 1500 4WD truck under $42K on the lot! My 2011 was under $29K with the nice All-Star package..

I guess I'll wonder over to the other brand dealers and see what they have - I'm the customer and I can do that.

Stex · January 30, 2014

^ how much oil is it using?

I have read the thread. Any one have the fix and have put enough miles on the truck to know if it is working???

Edited January 30, 2014 by STex

Cowpie · January 31, 2014

Well, another option instead of going with a new pickup, if you go out of warranty and they don't cover, is to just buy a replacement crate engine and drop it in. You wouldn't have to play games with whether a "fix" solved the problem or not. Just start out fresh with a remanned crate engine. Darn sight cheaper than getting a new ride. Since GM is very much aware of what is going on with these engines, if you just trade, you probably would not get what you hope. If you have a great pickup already, just replace the engine. And even if you did decide to trade in, say, another year, you would get more out of the trade because of the low life on the engine. I would NEVER buy a first year run of a new power plant like the D.I. engines GM is putting out now. Let them get the bugs worked out first.

Edited January 31, 2014 by Cowpie

Folically Challengjed · January 31, 2014

I have read the thread. Any one have the fix and have put enough miles on the truck to know if it is working???

None of the fixes (shield, valve covers, heads & valves) short of new pistons and rings did anything to slow the oil loss in my 'Kon. It took new pistons & rings to stop the oil usage for me. It didn't use any oil at all between changes for a while after that. At 40,000 miles since that repair, it will use maybe 1/4 qt. in 5,000 miles, and that's certainly acceptable to me.

FC

frankycjr · January 31, 2014

It's been a while since I updated my status. I've had new lifters, pistons, rings, valve cover and umbrella installed on my 09 Crew Cab. I've since put about 6000 miles on the engine. the oil was down one dimple on the dipstick. Now since this is regular oil it may be normal usage not sure. I plan on switching over to Mobil 1 in the next few days and will monitor things from there. I will also not that my MPG went from around 14.5 to about 16 . I'll have a much better reading on that once we hit summer and I don;t have the truck warming up all the time.

frankycjr · January 31, 2014

I'm not sure I can say it's completely fixed yet, since I've only put a small amount of miles on the engine so far. I will say my dealer was very helpful in getting GM to approve to do ALL the fixes at one time and not piece meal it.
I also need to change the plugs as well since they were dirty. The dealer did clean them, but I want new.

Stex · January 31, 2014

None of the fixes (shield, valve covers, heads & valves) short of new pistons and rings did anything to slow the oil loss in my 'Kon. It took new pistons & rings to stop the oil usage for me. It didn't use any oil at all between changes for a while after that. At 40,000 miles since that repair, it will use maybe 1/4 qt. in 5,000 miles, and that's certainly acceptable to me.

FC

It's been a while since I updated my status. I've had new lifters, pistons, rings, valve cover and umbrella installed on my 09 Crew Cab. I've since put about 6000 miles on the engine. the oil was down one dimple on the dipstick. Now since this is regular oil it may be normal usage not sure. I plan on switching over to Mobil 1 in the next few days and will monitor things from there. I will also not that my MPG went from around 14.5 to about 16 . I'll have a much better reading on that once we hit summer and I don;t have the truck warming up all the time.

Thanks for the replies. Did your engines fail the piston ring test with the fluid or did the dealer just go all in for pistons and rings?

Looks like mine qualifies now for the fix. Not sure they will do the pistons/rings as they have yet to test for that. Do not like the idea of going into the engine but also do not like the idea of being out of warranty soon and the oil issue gets much worse and I have to pay.

Also if I sell or trade I would like to say with a straight face it is not a major oil burner and has had the repairs.

frankycjr · January 31, 2014

GM did not want to replace Piston and Rings at first with my vehicle, I aksed the service manager to go back to district manager and explain to them that since they were partially tearing down my engine anyways and that I wanted to minimize the number of times the engine was taken apart that I was requesting everything to be done at one time. I also insisted that it was a known fact that the piston and rings would need to be changed and that a cleaning with fluid sitting at the top of the piston was just a waste of time.

I had to wait a few weeks but they finally came to their senses and agreed to do it the correct way. I was ready to call GM corporate myself and fiel BBB complaints if they did not do eveyrthing at one time. I'm lucky in that the dealer I go to does do very good work, but not everyone is so lucky. in the end if you can get them to do it all at once you'll be much better off for it.

I also changed filter and oil after about the first 500 miles jsut to make sure no metal pieces would get circulated through.

Folically Challengjed · January 31, 2014

Thanks for the replies. Did your engines fail the piston ring test with the fluid or did the dealer just go all in for pistons and rings?

Looks like mine qualifies now for the fix. Not sure they will do the pistons/rings as they have yet to test for that. Do not like the idea of going into the engine but also do not like the idea of being out of warranty soon and the oil issue gets much worse and I have to pay.

Also if I sell or trade I would like to say with a straight face it is not a major oil burner and has had the repairs.

Dunno that it was a "test", per se. I thought it was their hope-beyond-hope-that-this-works-to-unstick-the-stuck-rings attempt. As you can see below, it seemed to do precisely nothing for the problem in my engine.

Here's the chronology:

63,179 Start Oil Consumption Test (OCT). Installed AFM deflector, and cleaned carbon from cylinder [by pouring in GM Top Engine Cleaner through the plug holes] as per bulletin 10-06-01-008B. Replaced leaking rear main seal (12639249, 89060436). Replaced leaking left front axle seal (15801507). Replaced leaking transmission pump seal (24245110, 8654799, 24202535, 24226315, 12337931, 10x24233361, 24205103, 3x15709703). Note: all under warranty.

63,179 Dead spot in steering. Steering gear had not been tightened after previous repair. fixed.

64,340 1/2 qt. low. Topped-off, & advised to return.

65,532 1/2 qt. low. Topped-off.

66,766 1/2 qt. low. Stated that 1.5 qts. in 3,587 mi. is within their consumption spec of 2 qts. per 2,000 mi. Oil & filter change.

68,744 1/2 qt. low. Topped off. Reiterated this was, "well within" the spec.

70,093 1/4 qt. low. "Well within" the spec. "THIS COCLUDES (sic) THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST"

71, 708 1 qt. low. "Reschedule customer to complete repairs". Oil & filter change. Sending paperwork to GM to get a SmartCare plan.

73,328 "removed cylinder heads and found excessive oil resting on top of valves. Checked valve stem wear and had excessive valve guid (sic) wear allowing oil to burn off in cylinders. Head. Cylinder - replace. Both Banks". Heads, valves, bolts, gaskets, seals, etc. Oil & Filter change.

75,228 "CUSTOMER STATES SINCE LAST REPAIR, THERE IS STILL A CONSUMPTION ISSUE. INSPECTED AND FOUND OIL CONSUMPTION AT 1 1/4 QUART IN 1900 MILES. CUSTOMER WILL RESCHEDULE FOR REPAIR"

75,530 "Followed bulletin 10-06-01-008B as per TAC instructions. Completed 2nd half of bulletin. Replaced pistons & rings as per bulletin. Tested and set oil to correct level. Request customer to return in 1,000 miles and re-evaluate consumption." Pistons, ring kit, gaskets, seals, bolts, etc., 2 spark plugs, oil & filter change, etc.

No more oil consumption.

76,929 GM Smart Care plan issued, extending warranty on listed engine components to 106, 929 miles.

Now at 116K+, and it will use maybe 1/4 qt. per 5,000 miles.

FC

Thanks for the replies. Did your engines fail the piston ring test with the fluid or did the dealer just go all in for pistons and rings?

Looks like mine qualifies now for the fix. Not sure they will do the pistons/rings as they have yet to test for that. Do not like the idea of going into the engine but also do not like the idea of being out of warranty soon and the oil issue gets much worse and I have to pay.

Also if I sell or trade I would like to say with a straight face it is not a major oil burner and has had the repairs.

Dunno that it was a "test", per se. I thought it was their hope-beyond-hope-that-this-works-to-unstick-the-stuck-rings attempt. As you can see below, it seemed to do precisely nothing for the problem in my engine.

Here's the chronology:

63,179 Start Oil Consumption Test (OCT). Installed AFM deflector, and cleaned carbon from cylinder [by pouring in GM Top Engine Cleaner through the plug holes] as per bulletin 10-06-01-008B. Replaced leaking rear main seal (12639249, 89060436). Replaced leaking left front axle seal (15801507). Replaced leaking transmission pump seal (24245110, 8654799, 24202535, 24226315, 12337931, 10x24233361, 24205103, 3x15709703). Note: all under warranty.

63,179 Dead spot in steering. Steering gear had not been tightened after previous repair. fixed.

64,340 1/2 qt. low. Topped-off, & advised to return.

65,532 1/2 qt. low. Topped-off.

66,766 1/2 qt. low. Stated that 1.5 qts. in 3,587 mi. is within their consumption spec of 2 qts. per 2,000 mi. Oil & filter change.

68,744 1/2 qt. low. Topped off. Reiterated this was, "well within" the spec.

70,093 1/4 qt. low. "Well within" the spec. "THIS COCLUDES (sic) THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST"

71, 708 1 qt. low. "Reschedule customer to complete repairs". Oil & filter change. Sending paperwork to GM to get a SmartCare plan.

73,328 "removed cylinder heads and found excessive oil resting on top of valves. Checked valve stem wear and had excessive valve guid (sic) wear allowing oil to burn off in cylinders. Head. Cylinder - replace. Both Banks". Heads, valves, bolts, gaskets, seals, etc. Oil & Filter change.

75,228 "CUSTOMER STATES SINCE LAST REPAIR, THERE IS STILL A CONSUMPTION ISSUE. INSPECTED AND FOUND OIL CONSUMPTION AT 1 1/4 QUART IN 1900 MILES. CUSTOMER WILL RESCHEDULE FOR REPAIR"

75,530 "Followed bulletin 10-06-01-008B as per TAC instructions. Completed 2nd half of bulletin. Replaced pistons & rings as per bulletin. Tested and set oil to correct level. Request customer to return in 1,000 miles and re-evaluate consumption." Pistons, ring kit, gaskets, seals, bolts, etc., 2 spark plugs, oil & filter change, etc.

No more oil consumption.

76,929 GM Smart Care plan issued, extending warranty on listed engine components to 106, 929 miles.

Now at 116K+, and it will use maybe 1/4 qt. per 5,000 miles.

FC

frankycjr · January 31, 2014

What is : GM Smart Care plan issued, extending warranty on listed engine components to

Did you have to pay for it or did GM add that in ?? If Gm added that I need to talk to me dealer

Folically Challengjed · January 31, 2014

What is : GM Smart Care plan issued, extending warranty on listed engine components to

Did you have to pay for it or did GM add that in ?? If Gm added that I need to talk to me dealer

The dealer got GM to pay for it. I expressed how worried I was that the fixes would continue until the power train warranty ran out, and the Svc Mgr told me they'd take care of me. I didn't hear another word about it 'til the letter from GM showed up. They basically gave me a 30K mile warranty from the time the pistons & rings were replaced.

My opinion is that I got it for the following reasons:

1) My initiating it

2) At the time the repairs were being made (rather than afterward)

3) Because the dealer was working to help out as much as possible.

I'm not at all happy with the whole problem, but I can't fault my dealer one bit for doing all they could within GM's reimbursement guidelines. I like the dealer now more now, than I did when I bought the problem-plauged truck from them.

Also, the Smart Care wasn't for the entire power train, but just for a bunch of engine components they listed in a lengthy paragraph. I'm almost 10K past the expiration, & it's run fine the whole time.

Again, I think once the AFM shield and new valve cover are in, the new rings should be fine. I think it really needs all 3 fixes to work, though I've heard of piston-soak working in a few incidents.

FC