Almost a quart low... Catch can froze?

[ict_wildcat]

Changed oil before roadtrip from Kansas to Colorado little over a month ago. Kansas had single digit and below freezing temps just before we left. Truck ran great there and back. Few weeks later I noticed the truck started idling really rough. Checked the oil to find was almost an entire quart low. Drain plug and filter were clean and no pools on the garage floor. I run a JLT catch can which I also emptied before our trip. I suspect the can froze at some point between leaving for and returning from CO. Can anyone tell me what kind of damage I might have done if the can was frozen and prevented oil vapors from evacuating? Explain the loss of oil?  Truck runs fine now and never threw any codes.  2020 5.3 LT Trail Boss 10sp with DFM, 14k miles. Only put 1200 miles on it between oil change and oil loss.  

Edited March 19, 2021 by ICTWildcat

[Z45]

If the can froze then IMO its mounted to far away from engine heat that would have helped dissipate the moisture that the can caused because it cools faster than the engine.. 

 

PS, I don't see how that could have caused any engine damage.

Edited March 19, 2021 by elcamino

[ict_wildcat]

4 minutes ago, elcamino said:

If the can froze then IMO its mounted to far away from engine heat that would have helped dissipate the moisture that the can caused because it cools faster than the engine.. 

 

PS, I don't see how that could have caused any engine damage.

I'm more concerned about where the quart of oil went honestly. 

[Z45]

Some if it was sucked out in the can.  You don't say what year make model and mileage. Oil used could be normal.  Some AFM engines consume oil at a high rate and often it comes on suddenly.  

[ict_wildcat]

13 hours ago, elcamino said:

Some if it was sucked out in the can.  You don't say what year make model and mileage. Oil used could be normal.  Some AFM engines consume oil at a high rate and often it comes on suddenly.  

Sorry left that out didn't I. Updated... 2020 5.3 LT Trail Boss with 10 sp and DFM 14k miles.  Only 1200 miles between oil change and lost oil. 

Edited March 19, 2021 by ICTWildcat

[eppieguy]

9 hours ago, ICTWildcat said:

Sorry left that out didn't I. Updated... 2020 5.3 LT Trail Boss with 10 sp and DFM.  Only 1200 miles between oil change and lost oil. 

But he's asking for mileage on the truck, not between oil changes.

[ict_wildcat]

3 hours ago, eppieguy said:

But he's asking for mileage on the truck, not between oil changes.

Added....14k miles total. It shouldn't be burning a qt with any miles on it honestly. Not even at 7500 mile intervals between changes and I change every 5000. 

[lapoolboy]

I guess I'm ****** about mine...I change mine every 3,000 like it was in the good ol' days.

[lapoolboy]

Can't say ******....

[wurgs]

I would be surprised if the catch can freezing would be an issue. I had one on my 2015 for over 4 years mounted in front near windshield washer reservoir and never had any issues. We frequently get negative teens or colder in the winter. 

[ict_wildcat]

12 hours ago, lapoolboy said:

Can't say ******....

Ha! Nothing wrong with changing that often. I do mine at 5k which I think is still more frequent than GM recommends on the newer trucks. 

[ict_wildcat]

9 hours ago, wurgs said:

I would be surprised if the catch can freezing would be an issue. I had one on my 2015 for over 4 years mounted in front near windshield washer reservoir and never had any issues. We frequently get negative teens or colder in the winter. 

I wouldn't have thought that initially either but I purchased a different brand with a larger capacity and just got it yesterday. They included a disclaimer about not warrantying if it freezes and check more routinely in colder climates. Maybe it was half full when it froze?  Where would the oil go if the can was full? I emptied it before the trip btw, so not like I neglect to check it.