Where's My Oil Going?

grogman45459 · July 8, 2009

I've got a '01 Yukon XL with almost 94K miles on it and was 4700 miles between oil changes when I got the "check oil level" message on the DIC. I took it to the dealer for an oil change and the guy working on it only said that it could be the pcv valve acting up, but after pulling it out and shaking it, he heard the marble moving around and dismissed it as being the culprit.

He just said to check it for the next 400-500 miles and go from there.

Is there something else I should be looking at? I've owned the truck since new and I've never had this message appear.

superjim · July 8, 2009

Do you ever check your oil level in between changes by actually pulling the oil stick?

If not, it could have been ALMOST this low several times and you just didn't know it because the message didn't come on.

C. Charles Hahn · July 8, 2009

It's always good practice to check the level of your oil every time you fill the truck with gas, so I'd start doing that religiously. Other than that, just keep your eyes out for any leaks or puddles indicative of leaks, and sniff your exhaust every so often to make sure you're not burning oil.

I would also suggest switching over to a high mileage oil like Valvoline Max-Life as that may or may not help as well.

grogman45459 · July 8, 2009

Do you ever check your oil level in between changes by actually pulling the oil stick?

If not, it could have been ALMOST this low several times and you just didn't know it because the message didn't come on.

I check it mainly before longer road trips, etc. but it's always been fine. I've seen some posts regarding the fixed orafice pcv valves vs. the older style like I have, should I switch it out or wait to see if the problem re-occurs?

superjim · July 8, 2009

Do you ever check your oil level in between changes by actually pulling the oil stick?

If not, it could have been ALMOST this low several times and you just didn't know it because the message didn't come on.

I check it mainly before longer road trips, etc. but it's always been fine. I've seen some posts regarding the fixed orafice pcv valves vs. the older style like I have, should I switch it out or wait to see if the problem re-occurs?

Keep a close check on it and wait and see what happens.

Check it at least every other fillup.

DBVille · July 8, 2009

So you have had the vehicle for 8 years and 94k, and its never been 1 qt low? And now its 1+ qts low? At 4,700 miles? I think GMs rule of thumb now is 1 qt every 1,500-2000 miles is "normal". Realistically, you should get between that and 5,000 miles, or more. But, regardless - check your oil!!!! It takes 2 minutes, and will save you the price of a rebuild. Unless you have drops on your driveway, or the underside is oil soaked, it is being burnt - totally normal. Checking your oil on a regular basis would provide you this history, to know for sure.

Norseman · July 8, 2009

This is what I did and it worked well for me.

See Attached TSB.

TSB__01_06_01_029A.pdf

grogman45459 · July 8, 2009

This is what I did and it worked well for me.

See Attached TSB.

Thanks much for posting the info, I'll check the hose for excessive oil post back.

bigdogxx · July 8, 2009

Do the 05's with the alum. block have a pcv valve? I seem to get the check oil light alot more then i use to and do not see any visable leaks.

Norseman · July 8, 2009

Do the 05's with the alum. block have a pcv valve? I seem to get the check oil light alot more then i use to and do not see any visable leaks.

It should have the fixed orifice type from the factory. What oil are you using?

bigdogxx · July 8, 2009

Do the 05's with the alum. block have a pcv valve? I seem to get the check oil light alot more then i use to and do not see any visable leaks.

It should have the fixed orifice type from the factory. What oil are you using?

Mobil one 5-30w and usually either a wix napa gold filter or ac delco.

Norseman · July 8, 2009

Do the 05's with the alum. block have a pcv valve? I seem to get the check oil light alot more then i use to and do not see any visable leaks.

It should have the fixed orifice type from the factory. What oil are you using?

Mobil one 5-30w and usually either a wix napa gold filter or ac delco.

That's what I used and my engine would eat the stuff. I switched to Pennzoil Platinum and oil consumption dropped to almost none.

grogman45459 · July 10, 2009

This is what I did and it worked well for me.

See Attached TSB.

I had a chance to get under the hood and take the pcv valve off and inspect it as well as the hose. The inside of the hose was dry but the pcv valve had quite a bit of oil inside it. Swapped it out for the one referenced in the TSB and we're good to go, hope it takes care of it. Norseman, thanks for the help and providing the TSB.

Norseman · July 10, 2009

This is what I did and it worked well for me.

See Attached TSB.

I had a chance to get under the hood and take the pcv valve off and inspect it as well as the hose. The inside of the hose was dry but the pcv valve had quite a bit of oil inside it. Swapped it out for the one referenced in the TSB and we're good to go, hope it takes care of it. Norseman, thanks for the help and providing the TSB.

No problem, I hope it helps.

grogman45459 · October 14, 2009

This is what I did and it worked well for me.

See Attached TSB.

I had a chance to get under the hood and take the pcv valve off and inspect it as well as the hose. The inside of the hose was dry but the pcv valve had quite a bit of oil inside it. Swapped it out for the one referenced in the TSB and we're good to go, hope it takes care of it. Norseman, thanks for the help and providing the TSB.

.

No problem, I hope it helps.

Well, I changed the pcv valve out to the non orriface type but that hasn't seemed to help much - I'm at 4000K miles since the last oil change and I've checked the level since the last change off & on and have seen it slowly go down to the point where it's at the first hole on the dipstick. Nothing on the driveway, engine is clean - no blow back underneath, not seeing anything, anywhere. Exhaust is white colored on startup, and for the first few miles of driving.

I'm running regular 5w-30 - so should I stay with that or change to synthetic? With regard to the oil level drop, is it considered normal and do I just add oil between changes or is it worth trying to figure out where it's going? Thanks!