Oil Consumption on a 5.3

[01BlackZ71]

How much oil should a 2001 5.3L use in an ext. cab 4x4 truck.  It used about half a quart during the initial break in, and now it still seems to be using a little.  The truck is a year old and only has 7600 miles on it.  I've used Mobil 1 Synthetic since I got it changed for the first time at 3000 miles.  Occasionally when I start the truck it puffs out some smoke too.  I talked to the dealer about this and he said it was normal up until about 12000 miles because that was when the engine was supposed to be fully broken in.  My cousin's 2001 GMC is doing the smoking thing also.  Anybody else heard of this?? Thanks.

[maggot]

My opinions here. I think you may have put synthetic in to soon. I would also use the exact ac oil filter the book calls for. Sounds like the truck don't get driven alot and if it sits there is a possibility for it to smoke on startup.  It probably is not anything to loose sleep over. It is still very young and is probably not good and broke in yet, give her some time, and enjoy it. That is some low miles, bought mine in march02 and I have 8000 miles. I have noticed the 5.3 like the RPMs and people who want to baby them notice somoke and the guys who run the pee out of them don't. Uncles 5.3 smoke on start, he never runs it hard. This younger guy runs his wide open always and his don't smoke. Not sure if that is a very scientific view but just an observation.

[SilveradoWV]

I would have to agree with the above statements! They say you can put synthetics in too early, but I am not sure what that point is! Actually although its a year old it probably still hasnt reached MAX break-in yet!

[Jet-X]

I have an '02 with 5600 miles and did my first oil change at 3300 miles. I just checked my oil last week and it was down from the full mark on the dipstick to the first hole.  I don't know what that equates too, as far as consumption (1/8 quart?). I'm using non-synthetic and never noticed any smoke.

[chevy4x4trucks]

01Black, there was a TSB to replace an EGR valve or something along those lines due to oil consumption in the 5.3's you may want to look into that.  A few members here have it saved so it shows the specifics of what trucks it affects.  Seems like an easy place to start.

 

I changed my oil at 2k and put in semi synthetic, then went mobil one at about 4k.  I don't think you can start using it too early, I mean these are LS1 derived engines and the LS1's come w/ mobil one from the factory.

[blacksab2]

I also had oil consumption problems early on with my 5.3. There is a TSB (technical Service Bulletin) number 01-06-01-029 that deals with higher than expected oil consumption. It has you replace the PCV with a smaller "fixed orfice" PCV. I did this on my truck at about 1500 miles, after the low oil light came on after a trip. It was 2 quarts low, but, I never checked it from factory to see if it was full. The truck did smoke on start up before I changed the PCV, now I dont notice it as much. The truck now has 6000 miles on it with no noticible oil consumption. Not sure if it was the PCV or just engine break-in that cured it. The PCV was $2 at the dealer, so it was easier for me to buy it myself and install it rather than take the truck in and have them do the TSB. I will look in my garage today and get you the exact part number of the PCV you will need to do the TSB.

[GreenRado]

Agree that the TSB is an easy, and evidently effective start.  My guess is that if you're only using 1/2 qt per 3000 miles or less, then replacing the PCV will probably fix the issue.

 

Like everyone here says, these engines seem to have quite a long break-in time, up to 8-10K miles, seems.  Mine was that way - didn't feel "loose" until around 10K.  I disagree that smoking is normal, though and will get better when broken in - maybe increasesd oil consumption, yes, but not smoking!!

 

my 2 cents!  

[MarkD]

2002 5.3 bought new

 

600 miles changed oil with non-synthetic

1500 miles changed oil with synthetic (Mobil1 10w-30)

 

Currently at 3500 miles with NO OIL LOSS/USAGE.

[blacksab2]

OK...Here is the original package the TSB PCV came in...I hope this works!

[blacksab2]

OK..That didnt work...Let me try again.....

[MarkD]

Nope ???

[blacksab2]

I signed up at webphotos.com and put it in an album, but I guess that dont allow direct links....I'll try to find another way to post it....

[blacksab2]

Well, since I cant find a website that will let me post a picture then direct link it here, I will give some info from the package that will hopefully help :

 

1257-2717

12572717

Fitting PCV

GM#12572717

AC#(same as GM#)

[blacksab2]

Here is the actual package it came in:

[TxDoc]

From the Mobil 1 site:

 

myth-You should break in your engine with conventional oil, then switch to Mobil 1.

reality-The tighter tolerances and improved machining of today's engines have reduced the significance of the traditional engine break-in. Few manufacturers call for any special consideration. Since Mobil 1 is factory fill in Corvette, Viper, Porsche and other high-performance vehicles, engine break-in is obviously not an issue with current-generation vehicles.

 

 

myth- Mobil 1 requires a special oil filter.

reality-Mobil 1 does not require a special filter. The same type of oil filter used with a conventional oil will give acceptable results. Mobil does offer a special Mobil 1 High Efficiency Oil Filter that contains synthetic fibers instead of the typical cellulose and polyester fibers found in most filters. The synthetic fibers in the Mobil 1 filter have less resistance to oil flow and are much more efficient at removing particles from the oil than conventional filters.

 

Q- Why do fully synthetic oils still contain small amounts of mineral oil?  

A-All motor oils contain additives that provide extra protection against wear, corrosion and engine deposits. These additives are dispersed in mineral oil carriers that are mixed in small amounts into the synthetic oil. The carrier oils amount to a very small percentage of the finished motor oil.

 

Q- What makes synthetic oil superior to conventional oil?  

A- Conventional motor oil is made up of an inconsistent mixture of long and short chains of carbon and hydrogen atoms. In the extreme heat of an engine, short-chain molecules can evaporate, and unstable molecules can oxidize and break down. Because synthetic oil is made of optimized chain molecules of uniform length and shape, it remains more stable and resists oxidation and breakdown at high temperatures. In addition, because synthetic oils are made from pure engineered base stocks, they are free from the wax and asphaltic contaminants found in conventional oils. These contaminants can solidify and resist flow at low temperatures

 

 

 

 

myth -I need to flush my engine before switching to Mobil 1.

reality-No special preparation is necessary when switching from conventional oil to Mobil 1. We do not recommend mixing different types of synthetic oil, as they may be composed of different types of synthetic base stocks. Change the oil and filter when changing from another synthetic oil to Mobil 1.

 

 

 

myth-I don't have to change my oil as often when I am using Mobil1.

reality-Driving habits, driving conditions and driving environments all influence oil-change frequencies. We recommend that you follow the oil and filter change frequencies shown in your vehicle's owner's manual, especially during the warranty period. The excellent protection you get from Mobil 1 gives you the confidence to go the full length of the mileage or timeframe recommended by the manufacturer, including those who are now beginning to recommend extended drain intervals. It also allows the reserve protection capabilities of Mobil 1 to cover unusual or unexpected driving conditions.

 

 

 

If your engine is an older model that has been rebuilt, you may wish to follow the original engine break-in schedule. In this case, where you may be changing the oil after just a few hundred miles, you might want to use a conventional oil initially and switch to Mobil 1 once you have reached a mileage that permits longer oil drain intervals.

 

myth- Oil doesn't really need to be changed regularly in modern engines.

reality-This is truly a myth! In addition to lubricating moving parts, oil is designed to carry combustion by-products away from the pistons and cylinders. Oil must deal with small amounts of water formed as the engine heats and cools and with dirt and dust that enter the engine through the air-intake system. It may also have to deal with fuel leaks (fuel dilution) or coolant leaks into the oil system. The oil filter helps by removing any particles and abrasives, but even a high-quality filter can't remove fuel and other liquid contamination from the oil. Eventually, the oil additives that disperse sludge-forming materials and prevent rust and corrosion are used up. When the additive depletion reaches a certain point, the oil can no longer do its job and must be changed.

 

The rates at which contamination and additive depletion occur depend on many variables. High underhood temperatures brought about by stop-and-go driving, the use of power accessories, exhaust emission equipment, turbocharging and basic engine misadjustments all contribute to oil deterioration. It is difficult, if not impossible, for the individual motorist to determine when the contamination level is too high.

 

With all of these factors in mind, automobile manufacturers recommend oil changes at certain time or mileage intervals. These oil change recommendations vary depending upon model and manufacturer, and with the type of service under which the vehicle customarily operates. More frequent oil changes are always recommended for severe service.

 

 

myth-Mobil 1 will leak out of the seals of older cars.

reality-Mobil 1 is fully compatible with the elastomeric seals and gasket materials used in most modern engines. In engines that are in good condition, seal compatibility will not be a problem. Some older engines produced before the mid-1970s were manufactured with looser tolerances than today's engines. Low-viscosity grades of oil can leak from these engines. The solution is to use a higher-viscosity grade like Mobil 1 15W-50 to reduce this leakage.

 

 

myth-You can't mix Mobil 1 with conventional oil.

reality-Mobil 1 is compatible with conventional motor oil, should it be necessary to mix the two. The additive package in Mobil 1 has been specifically developed to work with its synthetic base fluids, so diluting Mobil 1 with conventional oil will reduce the superior performance characteristics of Mobil 1. While mixing conventional oil and Mobil 1 is acceptable, we do not recommend mixing different types of synthetic oils, since they may be composed of different synthetic base fluids. Change the oil and filter before changing from another synthetic oil to Mobil 1.