Does new 5.3 burn oil?

[j-ten-ner]

@ Silver Spaceship

 

Now I understand. Thanks.

 

Even if you pushed the truck a little he shouldn't use oil.

Is there a little leak somewhere?

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[Silver space ship]

Doesn't leak a drop.

[OhmMega]

My S10 eats oil, 350 with too much valve lift, crushed the seats.

 

As long as you feel your breakin process was adaquate it shouldnt burn enough to notice. If it burns so much you have to add oil between changes then I'd sabbatoge it and make gm replace it. Thats unacceptable for a new vehicle.

[mzodarg]

I was wondering why GM decided to put an 8 quart oil pan on the new motors. I hope it wasn't a just in case thought process.

 

MIke

[Derodeo]

Over the last couple of decades I got used to contemporary engines using so little oil I'd never check my oil level between changes. Then I bought a new 2011 Lincoln MKX with a 3.7L. When new it was using a lot of oil, way more than was typical for that engine but far less than what Ford considers a problem. I eventually solved the problem by doing the opposite of what the owner's manual recommended for a break-in procedure. Essentially that meant WOT whenever possible.

 

That's something I'll keep in mind if it happens again on a new truck but if the problem is endemic to cylinder deactivation technology then it likely won't help.

[Ron.s]

Running 0-20 Mobile One on Lexus and Tundra both over 50,000 miles and never a qt low at 10000 mile oil change interval. My prior Chev truck never burned a qt between 6000 mile changes with petroleum based oil. The new GM engines should be similar...don't see how cylinder deactivation will matter much. Doesn't the system alternate cylinders so no cold cylinders. Reducing oil consumption is necessary for emissions reduction to meet EPA requirements. Factory allowance number is a big CYA.

[Derodeo]

With cylinder deactivation, the same 4 cylinders are always the ones deactivated.

[MikeNH]

I was wondering why GM decided to put an 8 quart oil pan on the new motors. I hope it wasn't a just in case thought process.

 

MIke

 

Seriously doubt it is to mask oil consumption. It could be to allow for more reliable operation of the additional hydraulic things like VVT and AFM. Plus I think the LT1 has piston squirters so the truck motors may too.

[DanielAcosta]

FWIW 9,000 miles and no oil consumption yet. Oil was changed at 7,500 as recommended in the owner's manual and oil life monitor.

[Cap'n Pete]

Seriously doubt it is to mask oil consumption. It could be to allow for more reliable operation of the additional hydraulic things like VVT and AFM. Plus I think the LT1 has piston squirters so the truck motors may too.

 

I believe I read somewhere that yes, the new truck motors have oil sprayed up under the piston like the new "LT1" 'Vette motor. I'm not 100% sure of the "science" behind it all, but suspect it may serve a couple purposes:

 

1) due to the direct-injection, and increased compression ratio, spraying the oil up will help cool the pistons (prevent pre-ignition detonation)

 

2) just guessing, but I think that fuel usually acts as a bit of a "lubricant" to a cylinder, so running AFM and shutting off fuel to the cylinders, would in effect, reduce the lubricating effect? (.....and pardon me, I could be WAY out in left field here?!?!?!) ........but again, spraying the oil up under the piston will provide more direct lubrication to the cylinder.

 

However, all THAT being said, ......... I don't think that was being done on the GMT900's? So not sure how to explain the heavy oil consumption.

 

I'm HOPING not to have an issue with my new truck. I also plan to break it in PROPERLY like I've done with any other new engine. HARD. Not in an "attempting-to-blow-it-up" sort of way, but don't "baby" it. Give it full-throttle blasts. Take it up to red line. Put the transmission in "manual" mode and hold a couple of gears so it's not always running ~2000 RPM.

 

The vehicle I had the longest was my '02 Camaro Z28 (5.7L LS1 motor). I had it from brand new, over 11 years, and put 150,000kms (~93,000 miles). It hardly burned any oil between oil changes, maybe ~1qt at most, but I took that car to the track numerous times (road courses, not just drag strip) and took every opportunity to mash the go-fast pedal as I could. I red-lined and over-revved that poor motor more times than I can shake a stick at. And I drove it like that from DAY ONE.

 

All I'm saying is, a "proper" break-in is important, IMO ;).

[j-ten-ner]

To 'red line' the engine once too often may result in a 'break it'.

 

I agree not to baby an engine in the break in phase. But red line it and even 'over revve' it?

 

I don't know.

 

I wouldn't recommend it.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

[j-ten-ner]

double post

[White LTZ]

Seriously doubt it is to mask oil consumption. It could be to allow for more reliable operation of the additional hydraulic things like VVT and AFM. Plus I think the LT1 has piston squirters so the truck motors may too.

Bingo, these things are hydraulically operated. FWIW, my '09 5.3 LMG with 84K didn't use oil.

[Cap'n Pete]

To 'red line' the engine once too often may result in a 'break it'.

 

I agree not to baby an engine in the break in phase. But red line it and even 'over revve' it?

 

I don't know.

 

I wouldn't recommend it.

 

so long

j-ten-ner

 

Sorry, I'm not suggesting to over-rev it (that came later, once the engine was well broken-in, and was never "intentional") but taking the engine UP TO red-line should not be a problem. Roll into the throttle, don't mash it, but I'd have no fear of holding it to the floor once you're into it.

 

I've broken in quite a few engines, and have never had an issue. My Dad is a mechanic and has been re-building engines since the 70's, and that's pretty much how he taught me to break in a motor ;).

[nards444]

I dont know if anybody has the miles to tell yet. They say with new engines you might get some new burn off. I have a nasty feeling thats why GM has an 8.5qt oil pan now.