Burning Oil

[andymail]

Any advice on resolving higher oil consumption? My truck started burning oil the past few months. I was adding a quart of oil about every 3,000 miles and just had to add another quart after only 1,500 miles. It's a 2007 NBS Sierra with 69,000 miles and still within the 5yr/100k powertrain warranty (for a couple more months). I don't see any leaks nor see cloudy coolant so I don't think it's due to a bad head gasket. Anyone know if this might be covered under the powertrain warranty and if not, is there any easy fixes? Thanks

[foghorn23]

Get it to the dealer before you are out of warranty. The newer 5.3 with AFM has had a history of oil consumption. (commonly reported on this site) Take it to your dealer and let them start an oil consumption test before you're out of warranty.

[BlackZ71Silverado]

When you say NBS, do you mean current body style? If so, it's the AFM causing your issue and you should have it looked at before it gets really serious. Have it documented now so you don't have to have it repaired on your dime.

 

What kind of oil are you using?

[foghorn23]

When you say NBS, do you mean current body style? .

 

 

Great question BlackZ71Silverado.... I just assumed it was a GMT-900. To the OP, if it is the new body style chances are it's AFM related. If it is the GMT-800 not sure. Either way if you're under warranty let a dealer take a look.

[music]

+1 on dealer visit / consumption test, and getting it documented.

[11Silvy]

AFM from both Chevy and Dodge are both a problem consuming more oil than normal in some of these newer trucks. Goto the dealer and explain this, if you want to shut off AFM, get a tune because it looks like your 5 year warranty is about to expire anyways.

[andymail]

^{Thanks for the advice. Yes, it's a "current body style" Sierra. As far as oil, I've always used Mobil 1 (full synthetic) and always change every 5,000 miles, even though the oil life monitor says I can go longer. I'll be taking it to the dealer and hopefully they won't give me the "it's normal" to burn that much oil like some other members have reported. Prior to 60,000 miles, I never had to add oil between oil changes so something changed and isn't right.}

[BlackZ71Silverado]

The best way to not have to worry about oil consumption due to AFM is to have it tuned out. I did this the second week I had my truck and it has been fine. Also more fun to drive without AFM kicking in all the time.

 

A few hundred now for a tune now will save you big when your warranty is expired and you need to replace the engine.

[MaverickZ71]

I see where folks have got a Blackbear (or other) tune and have turned off the AFM function on their truck when it was brand new and they haven't had any oil usage problems.

 

Is there anybody on here that already had the oil usage problem on a truck with some miles on it and THEN turned off AFM? If so, did your non-AFM tune fix the oil usage problem, or once the problem starts, do you also have to start replacing lifters and rings, etc., to get it to stop using oil??

[andymail]

Update: I picked up the truck from the dealer today. They performed the technical bulletin 10-06-01-008B by cleaning and installing the oil deflector. They seemed confident it would correct the oil consumption problem. I hope they are right, but time will tell.

[SouthCo]

Good luck. At least it's been documented before the warranty runs out.

[andymail]

UPDATE: The technical bulliten didn't fix the problem as I was a quart low after only 2,600 miles. I took it back to dealer and there must be another bulliten for this problem as they replaced the pistons and rings, as well as an exhaust manifold and radiator. Hopefully this will fix the problem, but again, only time will tell!!

[poonugget]

This happened to my2007 truck as well. Do you happen to drive more highway miles than city miles? The reason I ask is mine was fine until my commute to work went from 5 miles to 40. I figured it had something to do with AFM as it was now activated everyday driving long distances. My truck was burning oil at around 50k and only got worse the more I drove. When I took it in they always told me that it was normal for the trucks to burn oil, yada, yada, yada. I finally took it in when my oil light came on after 900 miles and I told them that it was now well beyond normal. I demanded an oil consumption test and brought it back after 1000 miles with the low oil message on. They took it in and confirmed it was really low so they changed out all of my pistons as well as put the deflector shield in. I have not had a problem since. I believe this is the route your truck is going so it is only a matter of time.

[GMCustomerService]

UPDATE: The technical bulliten didn't fix the problem as I was a quart low after only 2,600 miles. I took it back to dealer and there must be another bulliten for this problem as they replaced the pistons and rings, as well as an exhaust manifold and radiator. Hopefully this will fix the problem, but again, only time will tell!!

 

 

Thank you for the update 'andymail'. I hope these repairs resolve the oil consumption issue. Please keep us posted.

 

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

 

Louis (assisting Tricia)

GM Customer Service

[BlackZ71Silverado]

UPDATE: The technical bulliten didn't fix the problem as I was a quart low after only 2,600 miles. I took it back to dealer and there must be another bulliten for this problem as they replaced the pistons and rings, as well as an exhaust manifold and radiator. Hopefully this will fix the problem, but again, only time will tell!!

 

 

Have it tuned out or it WILL happen again. Whoever thought of the cylinder deactivation should be fired. It's the dumbest idea for present day engines. I have had mine tuned out since the truck was new and I get better MPG's than my brother's truck with it on. Shutting down 4 cylinders and then having them come back on all the time is not good, no matter what the manufacturers will tell you.

 

It's not only GM that has this issue, it's every manufacturer that offers this crap. GM, Dodge, Honda. Funny how the vehicles made by these people that don't have the so called fuel saving crap don't have any issues. It doesn't take a genius to realize what the problem is. How many 6.2L GM trucks do you see that have to be rebuilt like these AFM equipped trucks do?

 

Get rid of this crap, we don't want it. If you do want it just put a 4cyl. engine in the trucks. At least this way they wouldn't have to rebuild the motors because they would function properly.