Excessive oil consumption

[Rick]

Purchased used 2001 Z28 with 22K miles. Changed the oil to 5w30 Mobil 1. Changed it again at 26 and 30K respectively with the intention of regular changes at 5K mile intervals. Now has 32,400 miles on it, the LOW OIL warning light came on, checked it and it was 1 1/2 quarts low. After doing some initial searching on the web this may not be an unusual problem and it has something to do with the rings. Called dealrship, as it is still under bumper to bumper warranty, they want to change back to conventional oil as they suspect that the synthetic may be the cause. Been running synthetic in nearly every auto that I have owned and NONE have ever had a problem with oil usage between changes. I thought GM shipped the vette with Mobil 1 from the get go. Anyway, I don't buy the answer but am willing to do what the delarship wants so as to have a record of what is going on. Would appreciate any input as I plan on keeping this car forever, if I can.

Triple black convertible with almost all the options.

[86RedRocket]

Oil consumption is common on these cars when you run them hard. Knocking/pecking (the engines) appears to be common when you first start them up in the morning or when they've been sitting for a little while. My friend talked to the dealership about it, and they said it was "piston slap" caused from the contraction of the piston after it has cooled down. I know of a lot of ls-1's that do it.

[metalhead_z28]

my 99 Z28 does something similair , and unexplainable... when the car first starts up the check engine oil light comes on...but it only stays on for maybe a min. then cuts off... i checked the oil and it was @ a normal level, Anybody have any idead why it may be doing this?

[Hoodlum1975]

I have a 98 LS-1 that does the same thing. I go through about 1 quart between oil changes (3000 miles) If I change the oil at 3,000 miles, I do not worry about adding any, but if I let it go for 5,000 miles, I usually add a quart before the low oil light comes on. I use 10w30 Mobil 1.

[00Z28RSLS1]

In response to the first reply, yes all LS1 engines burn oil if you run them hard especially if it has not been completely broken in. Also all Vettes and LS1 Camaros come out of Gm with Mobil 1 sythetic oil in them. Its the whole horsepower issue. But I wouldn't recommend using Mobil 1 for a while; they just got sued for not having pure synthetic oil, it was found that Mobil one contained some inpurities in it. Hope you question has been answered and then some.

[Excal]

it migth be a blown head gasket ask in ls1tech.com

[beerme]

I have been running 10w-30 synth(no particular brand) in my 99 Z since I bought it used back in 2000 with 22k on it. I now have 85k on it and it is still running strong with no leaks(knock on wood). I live in the Tampa Fl. area so my engine knows heat and I don't really have any knock at startup, though I will get some pinging etc. if I stomp on it either from a stand still or while driving down the road.

[00Z28RSLS1]

Hey Rick unless you car is smoking like a bat out of hell, its definately not a head gasket.
BEERME make sure you are using the correct octane of fuel. And do you know if your valves are adjusted correctly?

[Smokn '94 Z]

Originally posted by Rick
Purchased used 2001 Z28 with 22K miles. Changed the oil to 5w30 Mobil 1. Changed it again at 26 and 30K respectively with the intention of regular changes at 5K mile intervals. Now has 32,400 miles on it, the LOW OIL warning light came on, checked it and it was 1 1/2 quarts low. After doing some initial searching on the web this may not be an unusual problem and it has something to do with the rings. Called dealrship, as it is still under bumper to bumper warranty, they want to change back to conventional oil as they suspect that the synthetic may be the cause. Been running synthetic in nearly every auto that I have owned and NONE have ever had a problem with oil usage between changes. I thought GM shipped the vette with Mobil 1 from the get go. Anyway, I don't buy the answer but am willing to do what the delarship wants so as to have a record of what is going on. Would appreciate any input as I plan on keeping this car forever, if I can.

Triple black convertible with almost all the options.

Just so you know there is a service bulliten for the 01 F-Bodies LS1's.
Excessive oil consumption is being caused by bad rings. Get on the dealers a$$!!! My good friend from work just went back & forth with his dealer for about a year!!! Then we found a bulliten on the web. I don't have it on hand but I will get it. They will beat you around the bush. He finally had all his rings replaced. And what do ya know. No more low oil lights & oil consumption!!

[beerme]

00Z28RSLS1 - I am running only Super Unleaded fuel 93 octane, most of the time Shell Premium. I had my fuel system gone through, lots of carbon build up, but still didn't get rid of the problem. I haven't touched the valves, car is still fully intact as it came from factory, no mods at all. I am guessing my biggest problem is I baby the car too much, it is primary car for work. I put 120 miles a day on it as I live 60 miles from where I work. I am still getting pretty good gas mileage though, around 22 - 23 mpg.

[00Z28RSLS1]

BEERME--- Give your car hell every now and then, its good for it, and it gives you a good rush!!! If you baby you car too much this could result in excessive build up on the vavles and depending whether or not its a m6 or a4, you could also notice weird shifting from an automatic as the vavle body might start to stick a little. I'm not saying take her to the track and run ever livin **** out of her, I'm just saying get on her pretty good when you get on the highway a few times, and see what that does. Good luck.

[00Z28RSLS1]

OIL CONSUMPTION as far as this oil consumption thing goes i'm sure there are a variety of things that could cause this. First off my ex girlfriend had a 35th anniversary edition SS and it would burn a little oil and at that time she was running vavoline 10w-30 (just regular blend) of course we raced it a little and I think it used a quart by about 2000 miles. My car had the engine replaced by the previous owner at 9998 for piston slap when the car was cold, it still makes a little ticking noise when it is cold, which in my personal experience I think that the ticking is the aluminum heads and the vavles making contact while warming up (now it has like 20,080), but I am running 10w30 valvoline sythetic blend and have noticed barely any oil burning, but it still has burned a little. Personally I think that if this many LS1 cars burn just a little oil when they are driven hard, they can't all have bad rings or what have you. But if you go and have the dealership replace the motor, and it still does it don't be suprised. And yes all Vettes come out of the factory with Mobil 1 fully synthetic oil in them along with all LS1 camaros.

[Last SS]

Originally posted by 00Z28RSLS1
In response to the first reply, yes all LS1 engines burn oil if you run them hard especially if it has not been completely broken in. Also all Vettes and LS1 Camaros come out of Gm with Mobil 1 sythetic oil in them. Its the whole horsepower issue. But I wouldn't recommend using Mobil 1 for a while; they just got sued for not having pure synthetic oil, it was found that Mobil one contained some inpurities in it. Hope you question has been answered and then some.

All LS1's come broken in from factory!!! If you have oil consumption & it's under warranty, give to dealer & have them do a consumption test... Anything out of the ordinary, they'll fix it...

[Danielflading]

Originally Posted by metalhead_z28

my 99 Z28 does something similair , and unexplainable... when the car first starts up the check engine oil light comes on...but it only stays on for maybe a min. then cuts off... i checked the oil and it was @ a normal level, Anybody have any idead why it may be doing this?

the oil light comes on with low oil presure that may be caused by low oil quantity, worn bearings, etc.

The light does not just mean low oil level. do you have a oil press gauge? is it reading normal whrn the light is on or is it low?

Dan