c6 oil consumption

[Bilbowk]

Have had my 2012 Vette for about a month and have followed the break-in procedure as outlined on the manual. Was a bit surprised to find that my dry sump LS-3 had used 2quarts of oil in 1100 miles. I realize the a new motor will burn a bit of oil till the rings seat, but damn...2 quarts in a thousand miles seems excessive. Is this normal and will it improve or do I need to take my baby to the dealer? My 99 SS Camaro had a LS-1 that was way broken in by the time I got it and was an absolute gem of a motor and hardly burned any oil at all. Any advice would be helpful.

Bilbowk

 

[Tuna]

Seems odd. I do not have any experience with the dry-sump Vettes but 2 quarts in 1100 miles seems a bit out of line.

My 2008 LS3 with an oil pan never comes close to using that much oil.

 

[6 Shooter]

 

[catbert]

It's more than a bit out of line these days. Modern engines don't need the 2-3,000 miles to seat the rings anymore. I'd give to 2,000 miles to get right, then report to your dealer. It can take up to 3-5,000 miles to really loosen up the L series, but it shouldn't be burning oil all that time. Dry sump or oil pan should make no difference unless the sump is defective.

 

[LT4man]

The dry sump systems require a special "oil level checking procedure".

As long as you follow Corvette's recommended procedure and you have used 2 qts. in 1,000 miles, I would call that excessive.

In that case, dealer should be notified.

 

[froggy47]

I agree with lt4man. Make sure it's an "oil burning" problem and not an "oil level measuring" problem.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Actually, rings on new GM engines seat "most of the way" very quickly the last 10% might take 1000 miles.

I drove my '12 about a 1000 miles and changed the oil to a different type (10W30 Red Line) and changed the filter. I went another 2500 miles with zero oil used.

The dry sump system takes a special oil checking proceedure. Make sure you're observing it and doing it consistently or any oil use measurement will be inaccurate. I check the oil exactly 10 minutes after shutting down a warm engine.

Now, if you run an accurate oil use these and in fact the engine uses two quarts in 1000 miles go see a dealer to discuss warranty repair. Keep in mind that GM moves slowly on engine repairs due to high oil consumption. The first they they may ask you to do is re-run an oil use test. Be persistent.

Also, take a look at your spark plugs. A quart every 500 miles is going to leave some oil deposits in the plug tips.

 

[r50thc5]

Agree, go to the dealer and have them document an oil watch. My 01 did 1 qt in 900 miles. That was considered very excessive. TSB had been issued back then also. New Rings job done afterwards. ZERO oil loss during remainder of ownership (2yrs). My 03, 06 and current 09 have had NO oil issues. Modern engines don''t use oil despite what a dealer might tell you.

 

[catbert]

I have heard disturbing news about dry sump cars being delivered 2 quarts low. At the last local Corvette club meeting, 2 new owners were remarking about new cars being delivered 2 quarts low. They said it was verified by the dealer, although the dealer should have caught it in pre- delivery. Who am I kidding, pre-delivery is usually a wash and removal of factory interior plastic.

 

[Hib Halverson]

I have heard disturbing news about dry sump cars being delivered 2 quarts low. At the last local Corvette club meeting, 2 new owners were remarking about new cars being delivered 2 quarts low. They said it was verified by the dealer, although the dealer should have caught it in pre- delivery. Who am I kidding, pre-delivery is usually a wash and removal of factory interior plastic.

While it is true that some owners and some dealers are either not familiar or choose to ignore the special procedure for checking the oil in a dry sump Gen 4 engine, I think it's a bit of an exaggeration to assume that PDI at all dealers is simply a "wash and removal of factory interior plastic".

That said, a few dealers, either don't use correct checking procedure or, as "Catbert" suggests do not properly complete PDI however, the dry sump tank holds a ton of oil, like 10 quarts, so running the motor at light load--which one should do for a while after the purchase--for a period of time while two quarts low will not damage the engine.

LS3 dry sump, LS7 and LS9 are not filled at the engine plant. The engines are shipped with a couple of quarts of oil in them but the dry sump tank is filled at Bowling Green Assembly after the car is built.

What would be interesting to hear is what happened with the engine in "Bilbowk's" car. Anyone know?

 

[catbert]

While it is true that some owners and some dealers are either not familiar or choose to ignore the special procedure for checking the oil in a dry sump Gen 4 engine, I think it's a bit of an exaggeration to assume that PDI at all dealers is simply a "wash and removal of factory interior plastic".

Hib, I didn't say "all." I said usually, and I stand by that statement, having purchased 3 new Chevys in the last 2, or so years. I have found many things in MY first go-through that anyone looking should have found in a PDI- like 3 stripped seat bolts under the passenger seat, just to mention one issue.

There may be dealers that do them by the book, but I absolutely believe most predelivery work is done in the washrack by the lotboy. The Z06 and LS3 that were 2 quarts low were discovered by the owners, not the dealers. The owners went back to the dealers to complain and top off the sumps. The dealers were going to make inquiries to the factory about the issue, but I haven't heard what response they got, if any. The reason for the factory to underfill is really a mystery, if that really is the case.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Hib, I didn't say "all." I said usually, and I stand by that statement, having purchased 3 new Chevys in the last 2, or so years. I have found many things in MY first go-through that anyone looking should have found in a PDI- like 3 stripped seat bolts under the passenger seat, just to mention one issue. (snip)

I've watched enough dealers do PDI in new cars to know that few are going to inspect the area under the seats for stripped bolts. I don't think that type of check is part of a PDI. I really think that's an assembly plant QC issue, not a failure on the part of a dealer's PDI.

A dealer does have a responsibility to properly complete PDI, it's hard for me to fathom that the Chevrolet PDI procedure includes checking the condition and/or tightness of every bolt, including seat bolts, on the car. There has to be some "line" between where the dealer's responsibility to do a good PDI ends and the Assembly Plant's responsibility to build a good car begins.

If a Chevrolet PDI specifically instructs the technician to check the condition of the seat bolts, I'll buy dinner the next time I see you.

Dealer service techs are also human and, thus, capable of mistakes or lack of perception.

Take the mismatch in paint between the hood and the front end on my new '12. It took me a week of owning the car and looking at it for hours and from a variety of sun angles and, when the sun was not visible, in different kinds of color temperature of shade and overcast lighting, before I decided there was something wrong. It took the GM guys and the resident DuPont engineer using some special measuring equipment to confirm there was a problem. The people doing PDI at the dealer didn't catch it and...I wouldn't have expected them to do so unless I was willing to let dealership personnel "live" with the car for several days which I was not, and which they wouldn't have been willing to do, anyway, because of the liability involved with having their guys drive that unique car.

That said, i agree that if the dry sump engines are truly coming from GM two-quarts low on oil, the dealer PDI should have caught that. I'll also say that if the dry sump motors are coming 2-qts low, someone needs to get on the folks at BG Assembly.

I will state for the record, the engine in my '12 Z06, which assembled at B.G. early March, had the engine oil at the proper level when it came off the truck at the dealer. Further, when I checked the oil 1000 miles later in KY, just prior to changing to Red Line Synthetic oil, there was a very slight decrease in oil level...perhaps 1/4-quart.

 

[67vet]

My ZR1 was delivered to me with oil level at full. Also, I have about 1200 miles on the car now and have used about 1/4 quart of oil.
Everything operates as it should so I am happy.

 

[2 Timer]

Hib, I didn't say "all." I said usually, and I stand by that statement, having purchased 3 new Chevys in the last 2, or so years. I have found many things in MY first go-through that anyone looking should have found in a PDI- like 3 stripped seat bolts under the passenger seat, just to mention one issue.

There may be dealers that do them by the book, but I absolutely believe most predelivery work is done in the washrack by the lotboy. The Z06 and LS3 that were 2 quarts low were discovered by the owners, not the dealers. The owners went back to the dealers to complain and top off the sumps. The dealers were going to make inquiries to the factory about the issue, but I haven't heard what response they got, if any. The reason for the factory to underfill is really a mystery, if that really is the case.

I unfortunately have to agree with Catbert on this one. Mine came approximately one quart low . In fact, the corvette technician at my dealership thought the preceedure was to check the oil on a dry sump system when the motor was running. The manual is quite clear on how to check your oil. Real men might not read directions, but Corvette owners and technicians should. LOL! As far as predelivery, mine was only washed, most interior plastic removed, and stickers removed from windows. Didn't even clean the windows and wasn't vacuumed. To my surprise the general manager fired his predelivery staff, hired all new including a departmental manger to oversee PDI.

(A dealer does have a responsibility to properly complete PDI, it's hard for me to fathom that the Chevrolet PDI procedure includes checking the condition and/or tightness of every bolt, including seat bolts, on the car. There has to be some "line" between where the dealer's responsibility to do a good PDI ends and the Assembly Plant's responsibility to build a good car begins.)

I agee with Hib's statement above.


All said, this thread has served as a reminder to check my oil tommorrow.

 

[Bilbowk]

Update on oil consumption

Well had an interesting service call to the dealer that solved the issue of my "excessive" oil consumption. My Vette now has 3200 miles on it and while using the method for checking the oil, it showed the car had used another quart for a total of 3 quarts in 3200 miles. Set up an appointment to have it looked at. The dealer found that the car was OVER- filled by 2 1/2 quarts. They then told me that the procedure outlined in the manual was not complete. According to the mechanic you have to wait your 10 to 15 min, then pull and wipe the dipstick and replace it for 10-15 seconds. Told me that if you just push it in and take it out immediately, it will ALWAYS read low by multiple quarts. Tried it and lo and behold, it works as advertised. So my motor has actually burned about 1/2 a quart. While I'm happy that my motor is fine, I'm feeling a little foolish at the moment. Just wanted to update all those that replied and maybe keep someone else from making the same mistake.

 

[2 Timer]

Well had an interesting service call to the dealer that solved the issue of my "excessive" oil consumption. My Vette now has 3200 miles on it and while using the method for checking the oil, it showed the car had used another quart for a total of 3 quarts in 3200 miles. Set up an appointment to have it looked at. The dealer found that the car was OVER- filled by 2 1/2 quarts. They then told me that the procedure outlined in the manual was not complete. According to the mechanic you have to wait your 10 to 15 min, then pull and wipe the dipstick and replace it for 10-15 seconds. Told me that if you just push it in and take it out immediately, it will ALWAYS read low by multiple quarts. Tried it and lo and behold, it works as advertised. So my motor has actually burned about 1/2 a quart. While I'm happy that my motor is fine, I'm feeling a little foolish at the moment. Just wanted to update all those that replied and maybe keep someone else from making the same mistake.

I would not feel the least bit foolish. We can only go by what we read (owners manual) and are told by our dealerships corvette specialist. At least it sounds as if your mechanic knows what he is talking about. Will try his process tommorrow. Thanks for the update.





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