HELP! About to purchase an 01 Z06...

[IndyDave]

Hi everyone,

I was searching the forums on the subject of Z06 oil consumption, and some posts were helpful. I do however want to delve into this a bit more.

I am two days away from finalizing a deal on a used 2001 Z06 which has 24,000 total miles on it. The seller indicated that the "low oil" light comes on once between oil changes, and he simply adds a quart and that takes care of it. From the "Spiffy - Lube" sticker on the windshield, it appears that he gets an oil change every 3,000 miles, and has them use Mobil 1.

Do you get the impression this is a car I should shy away from? From looking at old posts in the forums it doesn't sound like an uncommon problem, but it is hard to tell if it is a case of excessive oil consumption.

I do have every intention of taking this car to road course tracks for drivers schools and open lapping time. I am an aggressvie driver on the track, so the car will get "wound up" regularly.

It sounds like the 2nd piston ring swap is done routinely by dealer garages. I read one post that said you would have to have more than 1 quart of oil consumption in 2500 to 3000 miles before GM would take care of it. Does this sound right? My big question is, even if my oil consumption would be over that, and I am the 3rd owner of a Z06 no longer in warranty, will I have to pay for it?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Dave Tozer
"IndyDave"
Indianapolis
dave_tozer_cci@lycos.com

 

[warren s]

There was service bulletin to perform a re-ring on certain affected cars as warranty work. Also the printed explanation from GM stating that driving style (low speed high revs for longer periods of time) was a major factor.

Depending on the circumstances it may be covered. From all I have read about this issue, I would not be deterred from purchasing a Z-06.

 

[Tripleblack51]

Hi everyone,

I was searching the forums on the subject of Z06 oil consumption, and some posts were helpful. I do however want to delve into this a bit more.

I am two days away from finalizing a deal on a used 2001 Z06 which has 24,000 total miles on it. The seller indicated that the "low oil" light comes on once between oil changes, and he simply adds a quart and that takes care of it. From the "Spiffy - Lube" sticker on the windshield, it appears that he gets an oil change every 3,000 miles, and has them use Mobil 1.

Do you get the impression this is a car I should shy away from? From looking at old posts in the forums it doesn't sound like an uncommon problem, but it is hard to tell if it is a case of excessive oil consumption.

I do have every intention of taking this car to road course tracks for drivers schools and open lapping time. I am an aggressvie driver on the track, so the car will get "wound up" regularly.

It sounds like the 2nd piston ring swap is done routinely by dealer garages. I read one post that said you would have to have more than 1 quart of oil consumption in 2500 to 3000 miles before GM would take care of it. Does this sound right? My big question is, even if my oil consumption would be over that, and I am the 3rd owner of a Z06 no longer in warranty, will I have to pay for it?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Dave Tozer
"IndyDave"
Indianapolis
dave_tozer_cci@lycos.com

Hi Dave and welcome.

I have an '01 Tripleblack that I bought brand new in 2000. For the first 5000 miles, it consumed a quart of oil about every 1000-1500 miles.
After that, it slowed down considerably and now at 33K miles, I add a quart at about 4K miles. I do my oil changes every 6k miles. I believe that any more frequently than that I am wasting my time and money.

I did not bring it in for a re-ring as I can live with having to add one quart between each oil change.

Depending on the price you are paying for the '01 Z06, I would not let the oil consumption deter you.
From what I've seen however, there are a lot of '02 Z06s for sale for very little $$$ difference from an '01.
There were many changes from '01 to '02.
Most noteably, the additional power.
The exhaust sounds even more aggressive on an '02, and the oil consumption issue was taken care of.

While the car in question sounds like it was well cared for by it's owner, if I were shopping for a good used ZO6, (and I was) I would look for an '02.

There are a lot of nice, well cared for used ZO6s out there.
I found one. You can too.

You asked. That's my opinion.

Best of luck,

Pedro

 

[DRTH VTR]

My only concern is that the previous owner let the "low oil" warning determine when he added oil. I check my oil every time I put gas in my car. Perhaps someone else can tell us if the light comes on due to a low oil level, or if it comes on due to low oil pressure.

I consume about 1 quart per 4000 miles. I drive fairly aggressively, but not like on a track.

 

[Tripleblack51]

My only concern is that the previous owner let the "low oil" warning determine when he added oil. I check my oil every time I put gas in my car. Perhaps someone else can tell us if the light comes on due to a low oil level, or if it comes on due to low oil pressure.

I consume about 1 quart per 4000 miles. I drive fairly aggressively, but not like on a track.

Hi DRTH VTR,
I would tend to believe that the "low oil" warning comes on as an indicator of low oil level...not low oil pressure.

Honestly, I do not check my oil as frequently as you do, although that is a good idea. It reminds me of the days I worked as a gas jockey at a Sunoco station..before "self serve".

Regards,
Pedro

 

[mmorse]

I owned an '01 for three and a half years. I put just under $40k miles on it before trading it in for an '04. My car was going through oil at a rate of a qt every 900 miles. I got the rering and it reduced it to a quart every 2500- 3000 or so miles. GM considers a qt every 2000 miles acceptable. If the car in question uses 1 qt every 3000, you are well within spec. If you plan to drive the car hard and race it, expect greater consumption. Just keep some oil on hand and add as necessary.

Even '02s and up will use some oil if driven hard. Loose motors make more power but also use fluids.

mark

 

[drags1998]

Buy the car!!!!!!! 1Qt. in 1500-2000 is really no big deal. It wont hurt anything,,and could get a little better with time? If you LOVE the car,BUY IT!!!!! you wont be sorry!!!!

 

[mqqn]

Hi Dave -

It is not too unusual to see a qt in 800 miles if you are revving it a lot (racing...)

Adding a qt in 3k miles intervals is not indicative of one of the oil-burners.

Not all of them were oil-burners.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[JBsC5]

Buy an 02.


I would never buy an 01 oil burner KNOWING IT especially if its out of warranty.

Its an expensive and labor intensive repair.

Run from that car would be my suggestion..

BTW...had my 2001 Z burn a quart every 300 miles. Had the rering and all is good ...

Buy a 2001 Z that had the rering or HAS An EXTENDED WARRANTY>

Make that part of the deal if possible.

Contract Ken Fitchner at Fitchner Chevy out in montana as they may now put warranties even as they might be presently out of original GM warranty?

If you want to buy this specific car..you need to have the warranty as part of the deal in my opinion...

Or just plan to buy a crate motor at some point down the road..

Just be aware of the potiential downsides..

I'm sure everything would be ok....but....

 

[theblackvette]

I have to agree with mqqn here! Not all '01 Z06's were oil burners!

And certainly the higher the revs, the more oil consumption is to be accepted.

On the other hand, if you have a concern about this you may want to consider getting the '02 model year.

Hi Dave -

It is not too unusual to see a qt in 800 miles if you are revving it a lot (racing...)

Adding a qt in 3k miles intervals is not indicative of one of the oil-burners.

Not all of them were oil-burners.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[slong]

Wow! As I read down through the posts I was starting to get nervous about know one posting that you should consider getting a 02 or newer. If you don't mind the hassles and have the extra $$$ for a re-ring then buy it. My advice is to get a 02 or newer. But that's completely up to you and your wallet. Good luck.

Buy an 02.


I would never buy an 01 oil burner KNOWING IT especially if its out of warranty.

Its an expensive and labor intensive repair.

Run from that car would be my suggestion..

BTW...had my 2001 Z burn a quart every 300 miles. Had the rering and all is good ...

Buy a 2001 Z that had the rering or HAS An EXTENDED WARRANTY>

Make that part of the deal if possible.

Contract Ken Fitchner at Fitchner Chevy out in montana as they may now put warranties even as they might be presently out of original GM warranty?

If you want to buy this specific car..you need to have the warranty as part of the deal in my opinion...

Or just plan to buy a crate motor at some point down the road..

Just be aware of the potiential downsides..

I'm sure everything would be ok....but....

 

[theblackvette]

Great advice here. I agree!

Wow! As I read down through the posts I was starting to get nervous about know one posting that you should consider getting a 02 or newer. If you don't mind the hassles and have the extra $$$ for a re-ring then buy it. My advice is to get a 02 or newer. But that's completely up to you and your wallet. Good luck.

 

[AZMike]

My only concern is that the previous owner let the "low oil" warning determine when he added oil. I check my oil every time I put gas in my car. Perhaps someone else can tell us if the light comes on due to a low oil level, or if it comes on due to low oil pressure.

I consume about 1 quart per 4000 miles. I drive fairly aggressively, but not like on a track.

The 'low oil' indicator seems to come on when the car is 1.01 quarts low. I had it come on once and it just required a qt to top it off. I'm pretty sure it will only come on when you start the car (that's the only time it can sense the level).