Does new 5.3 burn oil?

Indyrabbit · March 6, 2017

I have a 2014 that i just bought with 23k on it...it burned 3&1/2 gts in 2200 miles...took it in 5 times for oil consumption test and now they are saying the low tension rings arr bad...they are supposedly in the process of putting new rings and pistons in a truck that only has 35k on it....my 99' sierra has 225k on ot and wont burn a 1/2qt in 7k.....pretty sad

Just curious if anyone has driven enough yet to notice if there are any oil consumption issues...Sent from my HTC One mini using Tapatalk 4

Colossus · March 6, 2017

Naah. This is the new norm in the automotive industry now. Low tension rings to get better fuel economy and primarily on direct injection engines = more oil consumption. Yes the oil consumption does happen on non-DI engines as well but very noticeable on DI engines. Add to that the EGR crap as well.

SteveHalf · March 13, 2017

My 2014 Sierra 5.3L burned through 4 qtrs in 7k miles, at 34k miles and didn't have a clue. Now I'm at 45k miles and I'm burning between 1-2 qts every 3k miles and the dealer is telling it's normal.

07Softail · March 13, 2017

Mine burns none but I do a proper break in procedure on all new or Rebuilt engines. You can't pvssy foot these engines!

RT

Colossus · March 13, 2017

My 2014 Sierra 5.3L burned through 4 qtrs in 7k miles, at 34k miles and didn't have a clue. Now I'm at 45k miles and I'm burning between 1-2 qts every 3k miles and the dealer is telling it's normal.

Well it is! As sucky as that is.

Silverado Steve · March 13, 2017

Well, then my 5.3 must be defective because there is no oil consumption between 7,500 mile OCIs

Well it is! As sucky as that is.

Colossus · March 14, 2017

No, it's not defective. It happens on some and on some it does not happen. And you can argue that to the dealer and manufacturer until you are blue in the face and it won't make a difference. It happens.

mike5511 · April 7, 2017

Those of you using oil, do you let the motor go into the V4 mode?

pm26 · April 8, 2017

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.

When I see how GM tends to "fix" things nowadays, maybe they will go to a 22 quart engine oil capacity next just to be on the safe side. After all, that's what the old military deuce a half trucks have.

pm26 · April 8, 2017

Naah. This is the new norm in the automotive industry now. Low tension rings to get better fuel economy and primarily on direct injection engines = more oil consumption. Yes the oil consumption does happen on non-DI engines as well but very noticeable on DI engines. Add to that the EGR crap as well.

They are using EGR valves again? I do not think my 2006 Silverado 5.3 engine has one of those.

ic3man5 · April 13, 2017

I have 22K miles on my truck and it doesn't burn any oil at all. I drive it hard, especially on break-in. Every vehicle I've ever seen that was broken-in "easy" burns at least a quart of oil over 5k miles. Only solution is to replace the rings / hone the cylinder.

The rings need to seat/wear up against the cylinder wall and the first 100 miles is critical. This process should involve varying the RPM (no constant RPM) and having load on the rings. Constant Acceleration and Deceleration provide the best load on the rings. Make sure this is on a warmed up engine (doesn't have to be fully warmed up, 120-135F should be fine).

Synthetic oil that comes from the factory is actually bad for ring seating and can cause the cylinder wall to glaze if driven too easy.

After about 500 miles do an oil change, don't wait 7.5K for that first oil change. I gradually increased mine (I was lazy and did it at 1000, 6000, 13000, 22000).

I can't take 100% credit for this information as I based it off of motoman's break-in secrets for small engines and it hasn't failed me yet.

MRW412 · April 13, 2017

53k miles on mine with AFM active and doesn't burn any

Mikeeeeeee · February 1, 2020

My 2019 silverado with 30000 miles burns 1 qt every 2000 miles. Dealer printed me some bs bulletin made 7 months after I purchased it sayin the allowable oil consumption rate in there spec is 1 qt every 2 thousand miles... it has been a headache goin round and round with them... I've been a chevy owner all my life and never had problem with older models... is there anything g I can do about this or has any one found a solution to the problem???

Colossus · February 2, 2020

Welcome to the life of Direct Injection engines. they burn/consume oil. Yes, 1 quart every 2000 miles is perfectly normal and most manufacturers say acceptable. If you don't like it, I'd suggest you go look at another brand that doesn't make a direct injection engine.