Strange problem...

Supercop8100 · November 9, 2005

I was driving around in my yard the other day moving a couple of my boats and my message center started displaying "check engine oil". I checked it and it was slightly low, like it has been since I have owned the truck, but not low enough to set off the sensor I wouldnt think. I added a quart of oil and it went off. Today I was hooked to a pine tree getting ready to pull it down and the message center displayed "low coolant". I immediately got out and checked it and it was like half an inch low, but yet again im sure it wasnt enough to set the sensor off. I started driving later and it hasnt come back up again.

I just find this a little weird. What do you guys think?

Shaners · November 9, 2005

The low coolant light was most likely a bad sensor. I got that message about 1-2 times a year in my '01 6.0L 2500HD. I learned to not worry about it, because a restart always cleared it.

If you were on an incline, and low about a quart of oil, that may have been enough to trigger the engine oil sensor.

2004GMC2500HD · November 9, 2005

On my 2004 GMC 2500 HD 4x4 with an 8.1 / Ally as soon as it was 2 quarts low I would get the check oil level message. That was every 2,000 miles. Excessive I think, but not according to GMC.

Superman TNT · November 9, 2005

You were down 2 quarts of oil every 2k miles and GM didn't think that was excessive? Did you tell them you had the 8.1 and not the D Max?

Sure sounds liek a lot of oil to me. My 8,1 eats a little but no where near that.

TNT

2004GMC2500HD · November 9, 2005

It was one quart per 1,000 miles is what it used from day one. Always right on the mark and it didn't leak anything. According to GM that is within their guidelines. They started an oil consumption log on it, which I don't really know what it meant, but either way I just took it in every 2,000 miles and let them top it off. I told them I refused to pay for the oil since I still considered it excessive and very inconvenient and they still got paid when I came in for oil changes, but if I went 6,000 miles per oil change, all the oil has already been changed out because its been burned up and refilled..... Sounds good in theory anyway.

About the 8.1 vs. Dmax they said the 8.1 was "notorious" for using oil and that was "normal". That came from GM themselves, not the dealership.

Either way, I got tired of the truck so I sold it and bought a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. The hemi engine is awesome and the quadra drive 2 4WD system is fantastic with the traction control and front and rear limited slip diffs. They need to make a system like that for the HD's. Might buy another one then....

P.S. I have the same "work" car you do... I just have an '04.