Is Your Gmt-900 Truck Or Suv Using Oil

dataspng · February 7, 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???

It varies... in the last 25K miles I have had it use 3 quarts in 4000 miles... GM did the oil test (after they did the oil change and filter, which I was told was a requirement for the test) and this go around it only used 1.5 quarts per 4000 miles. GM says its normal to have it vary and can us up to a quart per 2000 miles! They quoted it depends on driving style, towing, freeway, weather, temps, brand of oil, etc..

My comments / worries that it didn't use a drop, even with all the variables they quote until 70K and now at 93K its using oil feel on deaf ears.

Ditto at the other dealer 60 miles north, they said unless it uses more than a quart per 2000 miles they are "not authorized" to start repairs.

I realize these trucks (and the other manufactures) all have problems, but it seems like its always a fight to get GM to fix things that obvious defect.

I was told a long time ago "It takes 10 times more work to bring a customer back then it does to keep one" Maybe GM should put up some posters at corporate to remind them that.

dataspng · February 7, 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.

Good idea... I have a mechanic I trust that could drop in a crate engine hopefully with out the AFM (I don't like it even if its not the cause of the oil consumption) and a custom tune that ditchs all the delay throttle, shifty trans, TQM stuff the stock computer has and I should be good to go. Solves the only 2 complaints I have had with the truck... well OK the dual temp controls are a stupid design, but I can live with that till 200K miles

hillbilly4u · February 9, 2014

Good idea... I have a mechanic I trust that could drop in a crate engine hopefully with out the AFM (I don't like it even if its not the cause of the oil consumption) and a custom tune that ditchs all the delay throttle, shifty trans, TQM stuff the stock computer has and I should be good to go. Solves the only 2 complaints I have had with the truck... well OK the dual temp controls are a stupid design, but I can live with that till 200K miles

See post #445. Study it carefully. The answer to all you guys problems is there. Valve cover, pistons and rings is the fix.

dataspng · February 9, 2014

See post #445. Study it carefully. The answer to all you guys problems is there. Valve cover, pistons and rings is the fix.

Thanks.. I have been a good student and looked at the multi step fixes GM has. But if I'm footing the bill out of warranty and paying a mechanic would it not be cheaper (less labor) to get a crate motor plopped in instead? Which has all the parts fixed?

I've never agreed with the way they fix it under warranty and still can figure out how its cheaper for GM to have 6 dismantles of the various parts on the motor and replace just a few of the defective parts. Seems labor intensive (and also irritating to the customer with all the visits to finally get it fixed).

Don't you end up with a motor that has a few new lifters and few new pistons and rings after 12 or more visits to the dealership (counting the oil consumption tests)? I have never rebuilt a motor that was consuming oil that way even when I was a starving teenager.

hillbilly4u · February 10, 2014

Thanks.. I have been a good student and looked at the multi step fixes GM has. But if I'm footing the bill out of warranty and paying a mechanic would it not be cheaper (less labor) to get a crate motor plopped in instead? Which has all the parts fixed?

I've never agreed with the way they fix it under warranty and still can figure out how its cheaper for GM to have 6 dismantles of the various parts on the motor and replace just a few of the defective parts. Seems labor intensive (and also irritating to the customer with all the visits to finally get it fixed).

Don't you end up with a motor that has a few new lifters and few new pistons and rings after 12 or more visits to the dealership (counting the oil consumption tests)? I have never rebuilt a motor that was consuming oil that way even when I was a starving teenager.

Finish a consumption test before 100k, then it is on record that u have an oil burner. Contact GM and get a service request number. Once you establish that consumption is excessive, demand the cover,all 8 pistons and rings be replaced. I would never have agreed to anything but a single breakdown, and that is what I received at no charge. Customer service was in contact with my dealer the whole time.

dataspng · February 10, 2014

Finish a consumption test before 100k, then it is on record that u have an oil burner. Contact GM and get a service request number. Once you establish that consumption is excessive, demand the cover,all 8 pistons and rings be replaced. I would never have agreed to anything but a single breakdown, and that is what I received at no charge. Customer service was in contact with my dealer the whole time.

Thanks Hillbilly4u... on my 2nd consumption test different dealer (60 miles away). The trick with GM right now for me is it is not using enough oil right now. Only a quart per 2000 miles. By my calculations since I've owned the truck since new, now have 93K on it and its didn't start using a drop until 70K is I will be using enough for some work done by 120K or so... unless it ramps up in the next 7K miles sounds like I'm on my own since GM will have 2 consumption test records showing "it is within specifications" before the warranty runs out. The glass half full thinking is I get to get it fixed right the first time by a mechanic I trust (and using the awesome info folks have posted on this forum), the bad news is I get to pay for it, but its still cheaper then trading in for a new truck with new unknown problems and I really do like this truck. Not upset just disappointed in the way large corporations seem to be treating repeat customers.

Service1956 · February 10, 2014

It's been a while sence I have been here. And it looks as though more people have been reporting about oil consumption issues. I am here to say, and, report on the facts that need to be discussed here.

First off, GM has a T.S.B. that states that there is no longer a manditory oil consumption test for this problem.

Second, is that if you already have the problem, that an oil relief valve deflection shield & drivers side valve cover replacement will not work on correcting the problem!

It must be said that pistons & rings must be replaced along with the shield & valve cover to insure a long time repair!! The shield and valve cover replacement "WILL NOT WORK" if rings are already gummed up!!

Late 2011- present vehicles have had these updates from the factory.

Now I drive a 2011 Avalanche that did not have these updated parts. So here is my story. After doing much research, I have found enough information that I took with me to the dealer, and showed him what I have found. He looked at me and said.......where did you get this information? I told him, and said that I would greatly appreciate it if you would install the updated parts based on the fact that it was within my best interest to keep it from happening to me. He then asked me when I could bring it in and have it done. Made the appoinment fully covered under warranty.

The dealer did the work in addition on informing me that I already had the "updated valve lifters". That part I did not know!!

I am very certain that an oil consumption issue of this nature will not happen with my truck!!

j-ten-ner · February 11, 2014

...Late 2011- present vehicles have had these updates from the factory. ...

Do you know that for a fact?

Where can I find information?

Thanks.

so long

j-ten-ner

studly · February 12, 2014

...if you already have the problem, that an oil relief valve deflection shield & drivers side valve cover replacement will not work on correcting the problem!

My 2008 Suburban was consuming 2 quarts in 2000 miles. The dealer upgraded my rocker arm cover, installed the AFM oil deflector in the oil pan and cleaned out the carbon. Furthermore, I installed the Range AFM disabler.

Just tonight I checked the oil for the first time (it's been too cold). After 2070 miles, the oil level was in the very middle of the hash marks (approximately 1/2 quart low). I'd say the fixes worked pretty darn well. I consider 2 quarts to 0.5 quarts a major improvement.

Edited February 12, 2014 by studly

studly · February 12, 2014

Just for hoots, I rechecked my oil today before I added any. It was only 1/4 quart low!

Last night I checked it after driving home from work. I probably should have let it sit longer before I checked it.

It seems the fix was better than I thought. 1/4 quart in 2070 miles is not too shabby.

I'm going to keep tracking the oil usage. Then, after I have some confidence in what it uses, I will try removing the Range AFM disabler and see what happens.

MaverickZ71 · February 12, 2014

My 2008 Suburban was consuming 2 quarts in 2000 miles. The dealer upgraded my rocker arm cover, installed the AFM oil deflector in the oil pan and cleaned out the carbon. Furthermore, I installed the Range AFM disabler.

Just tonight I checked the oil for the first time (it's been too cold). After 2070 miles, the oil level was in the very middle of the hash marks (approximately 1/2 quart low). I'd say the fixes worked pretty darn well. I consider 2 quarts to 0.5 quarts a major improvement.

How many miles did your Sub have on it when the updated valve cover and oil deflector were installed?

studly · February 12, 2014

How many miles did your Sub have on it when the updated valve cover and oil deflector were installed?

Almost 77,000 miles.

strike1st · February 12, 2014

It's been a while sence I have been here. And it looks as though more people have been reporting about oil consumption issues. I am here to say, and, report on the facts that need to be discussed here.

First off, GM has a T.S.B. that states that there is no longer a manditory oil consumption test for this problem.

Second, is that if you already have the problem, that an oil relief valve deflection shield & drivers side valve cover replacement will not work on correcting the problem!

It must be said that pistons & rings must be replaced along with the shield & valve cover to insure a long time repair!! The shield and valve cover replacement "WILL NOT WORK" if rings are already gummed up!!

Late 2011- present vehicles have had these updates from the factory.

Now I drive a 2011 Avalanche that did not have these updated parts. So here is my story. After doing much research, I have found enough information that I took with me to the dealer, and showed him what I have found. He looked at me and said.......where did you get this information? I told him, and said that I would greatly appreciate it if you would install the updated parts based on the fact that it was within my best interest to keep it from happening to me. He then asked me when I could bring it in and have it done. Made the appoinment fully covered under warranty.

The dealer did the work in addition on informing me that I already had the "updated valve lifters". That part I did not know!!

I am very certain that an oil consumption issue of this nature will not happen with my truck!!

Where can we find this TSB? My buddy has to get his fixed and doesn't want to have fight the dealer. If he has to fight to get it fixed under warranty he'll be driving a Blue Oval.

Folically Challengjed · February 12, 2014

Just for hoots, I rechecked my oil today before I added any. It was only 1/4 quart low!

Last night I checked it after driving home from work. I probably should have let it sit longer before I checked it.

It seems the fix was better than I thought. 1/4 quart in 2070 miles is not too shabby.

I'm going to keep tracking the oil usage. Then, after I have some confidence in what it uses, I will try removing the Range AFM disabler and see what happens.

Keep us posted. It's my understanding (and was my experience), that most oil consumption happens when AFM kicked-in, and the engine was in V4 Mode. Let us know if you see any uptick in oil consumption.

FC

Service1956 · February 13, 2014

Do you know that for a fact?

Where can I find information?

Thanks.

so long

j-ten-ner

O.K. Here is the information you people want to see. In Google Search, punch in..... Document ID: 3242444. It is the first topic on the list. (PDF# 100601008G EngineOil Consumption on Aluminum Block/Iron Block). It will give you 8 pages of detailed information that mechanics need to properly service this problem. Including Build Prior dates to inform you that it may be possible that some 2011 already have the updated parts!

Now on the first page, under "Condition", last sentence reads: It is no longer necessary to have the customer return multiple times to have the usage verified.

I came back to add that if using Firefox, the document will download to "Downloads" in the tools tab.

Edited February 13, 2014 by Service1956