Another oil consumption issue

CharlestonJoe · February 4, 2018

I have read other people’s issues with their truck using excessive oil. However, mine is the 4.3 V6, everybody else’s seemed to be the 5.3 V8.

To bring everyone up to speed; as stated its the 4.3 V6 2wd, I had the oil changes included up to 24,000 miles. I was taking it in every 5,000 miles so the last change the dealership did was at 20k so as I was approaching the 25,000 mile mark my oil light came on. I went ahead and did my oil change a little early, it was somewhere between 24k and 25k and measured it was 2 quarts low! I thought those idiots didn’t top me off correctly at 20k! However, after the 20k oil change I had it in my head I was done taking it to the dealer and I could go ahead and do a couple things. I installed a cold air induction air box, which I love the growl I get, and I did a cat back exhaust from MRBP, which sucks, it’s horrendous, I replaced the MRBP flow through “muffler” with a Dynamax Turbo muffler and it helped considerably. So I am wondering if one of these items is the culprit? I kinda doubt it.

As I approach the next 5k miles which would be 30k miles on the truck the oil light comes on again!! I know I had put the proper amount of oil in at my last oil change so I’m becoming more concerned. I change my oil measure and 2 qts low again. I research and find out others are having issues but with their 5.3’s.

Friday, February 2nd, I’m heading to work, I’m at 33k miles and the oil light comes on!!!! So 3,000 miles in and I’v lost 2 qts???? Sure enough.

I call the dealer to see what they would have to say and I’m told losing a quart every 1,200-1,500 miles is acceptable per policy!! I read on here somebody else was told 1 quart per 2,000 miles was ok. Are they lowering their standards even more??? Good grief.

My truck has the 36,000 mile bumper to bumper and 100,000 mile power train warranties.

So I’m putting my stock air box back on and my stock exhaust and taking it to the dealer so they can start doing their oil consumption testing I guess.

What I’m looking for on here is a little advice. Do I also call Cheverolet customer service and cover my bases with them? Google gave me the number 800-222-1020, also 866-694-6546 for technical support anybody have a different number? A direct line to somebody maybe?

Should I send some oil off to Blackstone and have it tested as well?

To clarify;

I don’t have any visible leaks.

I use Valvoline SYNpower full synthetic 5W-30

Mobil 1 extended performance oil filters and replace them at 5k.

Thanks for your time and advice.

Bash74 · February 4, 2018

I have read other people’s issues with their truck using excessive oil. However, mine is the 4.3 V6, everybody else’s seemed to be the 5.3 V8.
To bring everyone up to speed; as stated its the 4.3 V6 2wd, I had the oil changes included up to 24,000 miles. I was taking it in every 5,000 miles so the last change the dealership did was at 20k so as I was approaching the 25,000 mile mark my oil light came on. I went ahead and did my oil change a little early, it was somewhere between 24k and 25k and measured it was 2 quarts low! I thought those idiots didn’t top me off correctly at 20k! However, after the 20k oil change I had it in my head I was done taking it to the dealer and I could go ahead and do a couple things. I installed a cold air induction air box, which I love the growl I get, and I did a cat back exhaust from MRBP, which sucks, it’s horrendous, I replaced the MRBP flow through “muffler” with a Dynamax Turbo muffler and it helped considerably. So I am wondering if one of these items is the culprit? I kinda doubt it.
As I approach the next 5k miles which would be 30k miles on the truck the oil light comes on again!! I know I had put the proper amount of oil in at my last oil change so I’m becoming more concerned. I change my oil measure and 2 qts low again. I research and find out others are having issues but with their 5.3’s.
Friday, February 2nd, I’m heading to work, I’m at 33k miles and the oil light comes on!!!! So 3,000 miles in and I’v lost 2 qts???? Sure enough.
I call the dealer to see what they would have to say and I’m told losing a quart every 1,200-1,500 miles is acceptable per policy!! I read on here somebody else was told 1 quart per 2,000 miles was ok. Are they lowering their standards even more??? Good grief.
My truck has the 36,000 mile bumper to bumper and 100,000 mile power train warranties.
So I’m putting my stock air box back on and my stock exhaust and taking it to the dealer so they can start doing their oil consumption testing I guess.
What I’m looking for on here is a little advice. Do I also call Cheverolet customer service and cover my bases with them? Google gave me the number 800-222-1020, also 866-694-6546 for technical support anybody have a different number? A direct line to somebody maybe?
Should I send some oil off to Blackstone and have it tested as well?
To clarify;
I don’t have any visible leaks.
I use Valvoline SYNpower full synthetic 5W-30
Mobil 1 extended performance oil filters and replace them at 5k.

Thanks for your time and advice.

Losing that much oil is nuts and there is something wrong, just stay on the shops butt till they figure it out. I can't be much help because I have owned chevy trucks for the last 25yrs and have 2 now and none of them have ever had an oil issue in any way. I don't know if I have just been lucky or it's the way I break in the engines when I get a new truck and make sure rings are good. Hopefully they will help you out.

MixerDriver · February 4, 2018

My 4.3 with 65k doesn't use a drop of oil during my 5k mile intervals. I know it's a different engine, but my sister has a 2013 Impala 3.6 with like 130-140k. It uses a couple quarts between changes, and the dealer told us that a quart every 2k is "well within GM specs," so maybe 1 quart every 1k is also "within spec?"

Can't hurt to send in a sample for analysis. That way you'd know if there's any excess wear, fuel dilution, etc. Get that consumption testing done and see what they find.

I once ran an old Dodge plow truck that burned so much oil, we had to carry a 5qt jug when we went plowing. Used every drop of it before the night was over.

CharlestonJoe · February 5, 2018

Thanks Bash and MixerDriver, I think the break in procedure I did was the drive it easy for X amount of miles, I want to say 1,000 miles. I just think with using that much oil something is fouling up something pretty badly. In the past I’ve only used that much only oil when I had leaks.

I was planning on keeping the truck another two years with the idea of getting a 2020 edition provided it doesn’t come with some brand new engine design that you’re rolling the dice on to see if its a good one or not. Being that I’m at 33k miles and 2 and a half years in, in another 2.5 years I should be in the 60k ballpark and should still be under warranty. I just don’t want the next two years to be miserable. Lol Like I said with using that much oil something is fouling up and it will show up sooner or later.

Mike Simpson · February 5, 2018

Thanks Bash and MixerDriver, I think the break in procedure I did was the drive it easy for X amount of miles, I want to say 1,000 miles. I just think with using that much oil something is fouling up something pretty badly. In the past I’ve only used that much only oil when I had leaks.
I was planning on keeping the truck another two years with the idea of getting a 2020 edition provided it doesn’t come with some brand new engine design that you’re rolling the dice on to see if its a good one or not. Being that I’m at 33k miles and 2 and a half years in, in another 2.5 years I should be in the 60k ballpark and should still be under warranty. I just don’t want the next two years to be miserable. Lol Like I said with using that much oil something is fouling up and it will show up sooner or later.

Our 2014 5.3L started having oil consumption issues around 26,000 miles. We tracked consumption by returning to the dealer for the next 1000 mile check. They replaced pistons and now at 40,000, no issues. They said it was relative to AFM. Can’t prove or disapprove that theory.

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