Is Your Gmt-900 Truck Or Suv Using Oil

figtide · August 14, 2013

I'm on my 2nd go-around with the oil consumption test. In the first 1000 miles I used 3/4 of a quart which dealer claims is within GM specifications but I am going back in another 1000 miles to have it rechecked. In looking at the TSB, it mentions that depending on when your vehicle was manufactured is what fixes will be on it. How can I find what month in 2011 my Silverado was made?

On a side note, since I'm not sure if issue is related yet, I noticed that I had a rough idle yesterday then the check engine light came on. I had OnStar check and I have a misfire condition. Not sure if the oil issue is causing an issue with the plugs or something entirely different. While bringing the truck to the dealership this morning I had traction control/stabilitrack errors that kept cycling through the DIC. With only 18k on the truck, I'm wondering what can go wrong next. Beginning to wish I had kept my '06 Sierra that had no issues.

Just heard back from my Service Manager at the dealership, and GM is going to pay for the replacement of the piston and rings as well. They are ordering the parts and will have me drop the truck off once they all have arrived. It's taken a while, but the dealership did a great job in diagnosing the problem and getting GM's buy in to do things right the first time.

Once I get the truck back I'll run it for about 1000 miles and switch it over to Synthetic. I'm hoping my MPG goes up as well.

My truck is going through the same thing. It seems that it is all related to the cylinders the AFM deactivates. Been to the shop 2 in 3 months. When I get it back after the engine rebuild I'm deactivating that AFM crap...

frankycjr · August 15, 2013

My truck goes in Monday to get everything done. Hopefully I have back by Friday, but I want it done right more than having it back quickly

figtide · August 16, 2013

Me too Franky. I've got a Range V8 that will disable the AFM coming in the mail today. Hope my truck gets put back together soon....this Buick Regal loaner is killing me. Fortunately the weather has dried up some here, so it's sat in the garage while my Harley got some well deserved road time.

frankycjr · August 16, 2013

I always make them give me a similar truck to mine to drive when they have mine in the shop. I've considered turning off the AFM, but will probably wait until Warranty has expired first.

Enjoy the ride on the bike

Range Technology · August 22, 2013

We have been getting this a lot lately. We have had a ton of folks deactivate the AFM to avoid oil consumption issues in their trucks. This review was just posted on Amazon:

"Used on a 2009 Suburban, that is substantially used for highway travel. Having the AFM disabled has not decreased fuel mileage whatsoever. This suburban was using oil due to the AFM (approximately 1/2 to 1 quart in 3,000 miles) and this is the only device made that can disable AFM without a tuner. After using it non-stop for approximately 4,500 miles - THE OIL USAGE HAS STOPPED - PERIOD! I just checked this morning and the oil has NOT budged. (2009 Suburban 36,500 Miles)."

We'll continue to monitor the results of our users and report back. We didn't test for oil consumption specifically, but you can check out more of the reviews here and here.

Best,

Adam

GuyGene · August 23, 2013

Well, all I have to do now is get a new GM truck so I can put the Range on it!

j-ten-ner · August 24, 2013

I haven't driven my truck much lately.

But since I plugged in the Range device the oil consumption is less.

I have to monitor it for a longer time, of course.

Before: 1 quart in 1000km (~600 mls)

Now: .25 quarts in 700km (~420 mls)

...hope springs eternal...

so long

j-ten-ner

Cowpie · August 24, 2013

I am so glad that Adam and the folks at Range came up with this when they did. After reading all the results, I feel vindicated that putting the Range unit on my 2013 the day I brought it home from the dealer after buying it was a wise move. And the other stuff about oil in the PCV lines getting into the intake and these engines needing a catch can to capture that junk was timely information as well. Installed a temporary catch can on the line that is doing a very good job till I put on a better, more permanent unit. Now, drive it right, maintain it properly, and maybe the engine will last a long, long time before any major issues.

j-ten-ner · August 24, 2013

A catch can might be my next move...if I don't trade the truck in before...for a new '13 model

so long

j-ten-ner

MaverickZ71 · August 26, 2013

Bought and installed the Range V8 module last spring. Oil usage appeared to completely stop for a couple of months. Since then, over a few long trips in hot weather, my truck is using oil again. Maybe not as much as before the Range, but is still using some. D*mn!!! Looks like I'll have to have a dealer tear into the engine, which I was trying to avoid if at all possible.

GuyGene · August 26, 2013

Mav, how many miles before you put the Range on ye truck? I'm wondering if done like old cowpie, when new, if that will really stop this oil usage mess.

MaverickZ71 · August 27, 2013

Mav, how many miles before you put the Range on ye truck? I'm wondering if done like old cowpie, when new, if that will really stop this oil usage mess.

Right around 30K miles on the clock when the Range was installed. I guess that's when the General's memo says the oil usage usually shows up. Mine started using quite a bit around 20K miles.

frankycjr · August 27, 2013

Should be getting back my truck today. Looking forward to taking it for a nice drive. I'll send out updates as I get some miles on the truck

frankycjr · August 28, 2013

Go my truck back yesterday. The Service manager agreed with me about changing the oil after about 500 miles to make sure any metal shavings are taken out of the system. He suggested switching to synthetic at around 5000 miles to allow everything to break in properly. So far the truck is running better than ever. There were some minor drive ability issues that were corrected with the new valve cover and cleaning of the intake. When stopping completely there was a slight engine racing condition that is gone, when taking left turn from climbing a hill there was a dead spot when I went to apply the gas pedal that is gone. Climbing hills there was a condition where the engine had a slight sputter that you could feel, that is no longer there.

Overall I am very happy with what the dealer has done and the way it is driving. All the gauges are reading nice and normal with nothing spiking.

I am considering changing the plugs, but have not decided yet on that. Any one used the Bosch Platinum plugs with the 4 prong open design ?? If so did you notice any increase in gas mileage ?

I don't have the paperwork from the dealer yet that details all the work, but will have it by Friday.

MaverickZ71 · August 28, 2013

Go my truck back yesterday. The Service manager agreed with me about changing the oil after about 500 miles to make sure any metal shavings are taken out of the system. He suggested switching to synthetic at around 5000 miles to allow everything to break in properly. So far the truck is running better than ever. There were some minor drive ability issues that were corrected with the new valve cover and cleaning of the intake. When stopping completely there was a slight engine racing condition that is gone, when taking left turn from climbing a hill there was a dead spot when I went to apply the gas pedal that is gone. Climbing hills there was a condition where the engine had a slight sputter that you could feel, that is no longer there.

Overall I am very happy with what the dealer has done and the way it is driving. All the gauges are reading nice and normal with nothing spiking.

I am considering changing the plugs, but have not decided yet on that. Any one used the Bosch Platinum plugs with the 4 prong open design ?? If so did you notice any increase in gas mileage ?

I don't have the paperwork from the dealer yet that details all the work, but will have it by Friday.

Thanks for the update, frankycyr. Glad to hear you are pleased with the results so far. Best of luck and please keep us posted.