Is Your Gmt-900 Truck Or Suv Using Oil

BIGDOGx · March 28, 2014

05 classic w/ alum 5.3 engine and use around 1 1/4 quarts per 3k around, no afm here but I use just as much as any of you with afm.

RockyMtn · April 16, 2014

First, a thank you to this forum. This thread was invaluable in preparing before I took the truck to my local GM dealer.

2011 Silverado, 5.3L, aluminum block, AFM, 30,000 miles, 1.2 quarts of oil consumption in 2,000 miles. The month of manufacture was May 2011. The truck should have been built with the updated valve cover and the AFM shield. The oil was very dirty with 67% life remaining.

I typed up a cover letter explaining my symptoms with a copy of #10-06-01-008G (I think ...008I is actually the latest version) bulletin stapled to it. After having the truck for a day I got a call from the Service department. I was told I would have to go through the oil usage verification process and would have to bring the truck back to check usage. I requested that my Service representative carefully read the bulletin and review with his manager. I think it helped to have everything in hard copy so the manager got my input without any miscommunication. A day later I got another call. After review, they concluded that replacing the pistons and rings was the right solution.

On the forums and talking to the dealer I have yet to get a good technical answer on what is different about the rings and pistons they are putting in. The work order for the new rings says 19208677 - RING KIT 0.643. The pistons are 19208675 - PISTON KIT 0.629. These appear to be vanilla parts. One website (OEMcats.com) said the ring kit fit 628 GM cars from 1999-2012, including all Silverados in this period. The piston kit covers 358 GM models from 2010-2012. The rest of the work order was gaskets, seals, oil, and filter. My conclusion is I got another set of the same rings and pistons that the truck was originally manufactured with. I have a Diablosport Intune on the way, AFM will be disabled.

Cowpie · April 16, 2014

One mod that Super Chevy mag recommended in doing pistons on the 5.3L was to use the pistons from the 4.8L. The 5.3L pistons are dished, whereas the 4.8L pistons are flat top. I would slip the parts guy a few bucks to order a set of 4.8L pistons for the job! Direct fit since the 5.3L and 4.8L have the same bore.

Just ramblin' thoughts....

Folically Challengjed · April 17, 2014

My conclusion is I got another set of the same rings and pistons that the truck was originally manufactured with.

It's good to hear they took care of you without the oil consumption test hassle.

FWIW, I'd not worry about which pistons or rings they used, so long as they installed the AFM shield in the oil pan. The OEM parts ought to do just fine now that they're no longer being hosed with excessive amounts of oil.

I've now got 50K miles on my new pistons & rings, with no oil consumption. They used the same rings as yours, though my pistons were p/n 89060486. (2007, LC9 engine).

Good Luck,

FC

shrapnel · April 28, 2014

Been a member here since last year just browsing from time to time. So here is my first post and (long) story. Bought an 09 Silverado last May. Had 43,200 miles on it when I drove it off the lot. It has the iron block LY5 in it. I was aware of the oil consumption issues with the aluminum blocks and figured I was in the clear with the iron block.

One time my dad's 05 Silverado had a check oil level warning pop up when he was leaking oil because the filter was loose. He was 2 quarts low when the warning came on. I figured if there was an issue with a low oil level, I would get a warning. No, I didn't monitor my oil level on a regular basis. I typically change my oil around 5k with conventional Penzoil and I do it while the engine is still warm to get as much oil out as I can in a timely manner.

I changed it at around 48k at the end of July and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. No check oil level warning and the amount of oil that drained out seemed about right. When I changed my oil again at 53k in October, it seemed like there was significantly less oil that drained out this time. I have a 15 quart drain pan that I don't always empty out after I do an oil change. Fortunately, it was empty this time before doing the oil change. So I measured it out. I had just above 4 quarts of oil, just enough to not get the check oil level warning.

I did some research and after a lot of digging and only finding that GM was only recognizing an oil consumption issue with the aluminum block 5.3s, I finally found the thread on silveradosierra.com with the updated TSB including the iron block and the acceptable rate stated was in excess of one quart per 2-3000 miles. At this point I figured I am over 1 quart per 3000 and stopped by the dealership and discussed it with them. They said to bring the truck in when it needs an oil change and they will do the oil change and start the oil consumption test. I had read some posts saying the dealer acknowledged the problem and did the work without doing the oil consumption test, so I was kind of disappointed that they wanted to do the test but whatever. I went along with it.

Brought it to them in January and had them do the oil change so they can start the oil consumption test. They said bring it back after 500-1k miles to check the oil level. Brought it back in February after roughly 1k miles and it was down 1/2 a quart. They told me the acceptable rate by GM is 1 qt for 2k miles and said I was right on the line. It sounded like they were going to try to weasel their way out of servicing this under warranty and I was kind of getting pissed. I think he could tell I wasn't happy and said to schedule a de-carb soon because my warranty expired in April. And if it was still consuming oil, at least the process was started on it so it would still be covered after April.

I had the de-carb done back in the middle of March. I figured the AFM deflector and valve cover would be the next step after the de-carb. When I got the truck back they told me they installed the deflector and valve cover and bring it back after 500-1k miles. Great. Because of work, it wasn't until about 1500 miles I was able to get back to the dealership to have the oil level checked. The service manager was the one that checked the oil level after letting it sit for 15 minutes. I was there when he checked it. He checked it 5 times before the second hole up was filled with oil. The first four times I bet he was thinking "crap.. crap... crap.. crap..." and then the 5th time when the second hole from the bottom on the dipstick was filled he was like "see here, that hole is filled so you haven't used up quite 3/4 of a quart yet." I'm not happy thinking he was going to try to weasel out of having to do more work to fix the problem. Then he says the next step would be to do the rings but he didn't want to do it if he didn't have to. They had done it on several trucks in the past and he estimated about 10% of the trucks stopped burning oil. I think he could tell I wasn't satisfied so he said to bring it back at 2k miles and they would refill and measure exactly how much oil it would take.

Picture of dipstick for reference:

So a week later its about 2k miles after the decarb/deflector/valve cover service and I go back. They said it took a quart of oil, it's right on the line, blah, blah, blah. I thought they were going to tell me I was in the accepted range and leave it at that. They entered the note in the system it took a quart after 2k miles and started printing stuff out. I figured they were closing it out and giving me the documentation. Apparently he printed out an updated TSB from this past June. It didn't have the 2-3000 mile window. It was a firm 1 qt per 2000 miles was acceptable and it covers trucks up to the 2014 model year. It also said it doesn't cover trucks subjected to hard driving (high revving) or heavy towing because oil consumption would increase under those conditions.

He started neatening up the desk to avoid eye contact hoping I would just go away. He didn't say anything after handing over the TSB to me. I figured this was it. I would have to learn to deal with this oil consumption issue. Couldn't even say sorry or nothing. I was about to turn around and leave in disgust when he says I guess the next step would be to do the rings if you want to. I tell him yea, I do if there's a chance it will fix the problem. He tells me he'll have to order the parts and he'll let me know when they're in so we can schedule an appointment. I got the call last Monday the parts were in and it went in this morning. They said this morning when I dropped it off that they are doing the pistons too. So we'll see. Maybe tomorrow or Wednesday it will be done.

Now I'm reading there could be a lifter issue?

Edited April 28, 2014 by shrapnel

Folically Challengjed · April 29, 2014

It sounds like his pride was hurt, more than anything. At least they're going to do the pistons/rings.

I can't doubt his figures, but I have yet to read an account where new rings/pistons did not fix the oil consumption problem.

Here's hoping it works out for you.

FC

shrapnel · April 30, 2014

FC,

That's what I keep telling myself. I could tell when he was checking the oil level after 1500 miles that the oil level was below the 2nd hole from the bottom, he just got lucky the 5th time that some oil dripped on the dipstick filling the 2nd hole. I did not watch them fill and measure after 2000 mi., but I measured the oil level when I got home from the stealership and it was still almost 0.25 qt. low. But, they still agreed to do the pistons and the rings so I'm not going to get too wrapped up over it..

Here is a link to TSB 01-06-01-011H that they gave me that covers trucks up to 2014:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5Gd5Q4oI4g5NENpVkdHck00Xzg/edit?usp=sharing

It doesn't say this replaces TSB 10-06-01-008G where it mentions a rough running engine and if the customer feels the oil consumption is excessive. My truck would run a little rough when I ran 87 octane but smooth as glass when I ran 89. Now it is still rough when I run 89 which I am guessing is caused by fouled spark plugs from the excessive oil consumption.

Someone in this thread on silveradosierra said they were handed the same TSB and were told 1 qt. per 1000 mi. was ok. I am not sure where this 1 qt. per 1000 is coming from. As you can see in the TSB I was given, it says 1 qt. per 2000 mi.

http://www.silveradosierra.com/vortec-5-3l-v8/undergoing-testing-about-oil-consumption-issue-t191065.html

How many miles have you put on now since the work was done? I saw back in January you reported your truck is consuming 1/4 qt. per 5000 after 40,000 mi. Has it gotten worse since then? I am worried, as someone else has stated, that this is just a bandage to get past the warranty. But, I haven't seen complaints from owners of trucks that came with the deflector and valve cover upgrade from the factory that they were having excessive oil consumption issues. Is anyone aware of 2012+ trucks consuming an excessive amount of oil?

Edited April 30, 2014 by shrapnel

Folically Challengjed · April 30, 2014

FC,

How many miles have you put on now since the work was done?

I'm at 123,700 now - about 50K since the pistons + rings were installed. I think it's used maybe 1/4 to 1/2 quart of oil TOTAL across those 50K miles. I keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be OK from here on out.

FC

GMmaniac · July 10, 2014

Dealer told me that one quart of oil used between oil changes are normal and within spec.. :-)

Ken

Cowpie · July 10, 2014

Would only concur with that if we were on the same page regarding length of oil change interval. I pretty much follow the OLM down to under 10% then change. Puts me at the 7500 mile mark, give or take. In that time, the engine uses about a pint of oil or less. That is using Schaeffer 9003D 5w30 full synthetic.

GuyGene · July 19, 2014

Cow, a pint in about 7k miles is might good! By the way, do you think the catch can you installed when ye truck was still new is helping? Maybe you've posted somewhere and I missed it.

Cowpie · July 20, 2014

Well, no way to really know for sure if the catch can is the reason for low oil consumption. I am sure it is helping. It could all be just dumb luck. I have the same experience with a factory rebuilt 12..7L Detroit engine in my semi truck. It only uses a half gallon out of 10 gallons in the engine in 22,500 mile oil changes. Only get half way to the add mark on that engine. That engine just turned over 283,000 miles.

The 5.3L in my pickup is probably unique in not using hardly any oil. Seems the majority of engines are using more than that. But the level that some use, and dealerships seem fine with, is downright criminal. I could easily see any engine using a quart or slightly more over the normal oil change interval, but this poppycock about a quart or more in 1000-1500 miles is not right. Heck, the 454 big block that I had in 1998 Chevy 2500 didn't use a full quart in 5000 miles the whole time I owned it. It has been since the 70's since I owned it, but the 1972 Chevy Nova with a 307 in it that I owned, I can't recall hardly ever having to add oil between 3000 mile oil changes. Probably did at some point, but it sure wasn't enough of a memorable thing that it used any oil between oil changes compared to the nonsense of oil consumption that some of these modern engines are experiencing before they ever reach 100,000 miles.

But it remains, I read about the issues with these engines, mostly right after I had already bought my 2013, so right away I put on the catch can and disabled the AFM feature in the engine. But what I found in other areas made me realize that quality control at GM assembly is not really as good as it should be. I change all oils and lubes within the first 3000 miles on all vehicles I own. The rear diff on my 2013 was almost 2 pints low of gear lube. the transfer case fluid looked like something from my septic tank and there was enough metal filings on the magnetic drain plug to look like our cat had put its tail in a light socket. I changed the transfer case a second time at 10,000 miles and the fluid I put in at 3000 was still nice and cherry and there were only a few more filings on the plug. But the first round really had me worried. So putting on the catch can (which caught enough to totally fill a 16 oz drinking water bottle in 13,000 miles) seemed like a good preemptive move on my part. And the AFM thing seems to be a major culprit in regards to engine issues, so it has been non functional on mine since before 1000 miles on the odometer.

urbancowboy · July 27, 2014

I have a 2011 Sierra 1500 Slt 5.3, having oil issues at about 45,000km(@28,000 miles) . Dealer put in a deflector and decarbonized pistons, after next oil change 8700 km @5400 miles oil is down to the 3rd dot on dipstick. dealer said that is about a quart, and said that is within its limits. just wondering down to 3 dot on stick wondering how much oil that really was.

( I wanted to show dealer how much it was down before adding any) Noticed this oil change so far at 2,800 kms down to first dot on dip stick. aluminum block

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pezboy · July 28, 2014

I have a 2011 Sierra 1500 Slt 5.3, having oil issues at about 45,000km(@28,000 miles) . Dealer put in a deflector and decarbonized pistons, after next oil change 8700 km @5400 miles oil is down to the 3rd dot on dipstick. dealer said that is about a quart, and said that is within its limits. just wondering down to 3 dot on stick wondering how much oil that really was.

( I wanted to show dealer how much it was down before adding any) Noticed this oil change so far at 2,800 kms down to first dot on dip stick. aluminum block

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It should be 1 quart from the top of the hash marks to the bottom of the hash marks. If it is at the third dot from the top it used 3/4 of a quart.

MaverickZ71 · July 28, 2014

It should be 1 quart from the top of the hash marks to the bottom of the hash marks. If it is at the third dot from the top it used 3/4 of a quart.

Depends on if the oil temperature is hot or cold when checking. In my experience, If the oil is hot, 3 dots down from the top would be 1 quart low. If cold, 3 dots down would be 3/4 quart low.