NC01TA

I did a search but the results were messed up today. I'm sure it has been discussed to death but would like to hear about experiences with oil consumption. I have a very low mileage 'stock LS1 that burns about 1 quart every 1,000 miles. No leaks, clean exhaust, etc.. How does this compare to your similar 'stock' LS1??

O2Form

What weight oil are you using? My oil consumption went way down after switching from 5-30 to 10-30. Also you my want to look into replacing your valve seals, I seen alot of low mileage LS1's with worn-bad seals.

NC01TA

10w-30 synthetic

therealcreeper

iTrader: (37)

I've been running 0w30 and 5w30 castrols for the last 30k miles in my car (currently 120k miles) and never had to add more than a quart or two for every 5k miles between changes. then recently I noticed my PCV system was basically completely clogged with oil condensation crap so I replaced the entire system and now I lose probably twice as much oil.

6speedt/a

iTrader: (1)

If you drive hard all the time you will see an oil loss. how many miles on the engine? try to switch to a thicker wieght oil should help as well

NC01TA

Just the opposite. The car is a weekend cruiser and car show attendee. Only 23,000 miles. I really just noticed it when I went to the Charlotte Auto Fair and back last weekend. About 450 miles total and it used 1/2 quart. The owner's manual says 5w-30 or 10w-30 and I don't think I want to go heavier if it doesn't call for it.

Youshallgofo

iTrader: (1)

got 80k on mine. I use M1 5w-30. Burned about 1 quart after 2500 miles. I drive pretty easily to work, and I get on it now and then too, so I'd say mixed. That's me.

garygnu

do you have a oil catch can?also check your PCV system,maybe the PCV valve is bad.I bet the floor of your intake has a oil film on it.check your plugs.

Empatho

iTrader: (16)

Most likely pcv, check out the ls6 valley cover conversions.

HAZ-Matt

iTrader: (8)

As above, the root of most oil consumption is the way the PCV is setup on these motors. Valve seals are possible, but I think you might notice a little puff of smoke on startup if that were the case.

So was it really 1/2qt in just 450 mi, or do you mean you noticed it after you checked it on that trip?

At any rate, some people do have luck switching oils whether it be slight viscosity change or even brand change. I understand what you are saying about the recommended viscosity, and I somewhat agree with you. The German Castrol 0W-30 has a good viscosity index and a little more robust HTHS than most 5W-30's. It will not be too thin at any temperature. In fact, with a good synthetic from a good base stock there is almost no reason not to go with a 0W if available. Not that it is an exact science, but there have been a large number of use oil analyses done by members running GC 0W-30 and they seem to be for the most part good. Now as to whether or not it will cure your oil consumption I cannot say.

I personally have been running Pennzoil Platinum 5W30 and lose maybe 1/2 to 1 qt per oil change interval. Mine aren't fixed, I just go by the oil life monitor (or 6k mi if it hasn't gone off). I still have the stock PCV type system, but I do have LS6 heads and cam... doubt that would really make much of a difference though.

So back to switching from 5W30 to a 10W30, it might not guarantee any difference in consumption. It depends on what base stock they are using and how much and what type of viscosity index improvers are in the oil... so just going to 10W30 may or may not give you an oil that will be consumed less. But ultimately the main driving force is probably just sucking the oil out through the PCV and marginally different oil specs may or may not make much of a difference.

NC01TA

Thanks for all the replies. I am going to start simple and replace the pcv valve. Now I have to figure out where it is. I just looked and too many hoses, etc... Anyone have a diagram with an arrow pointing to it?

JimMueller

iTrader: (9)

Not photos, but checkout this thread:

My catch can routing ok?

Latch

iTrader: (8)

My 60,000 mile LS1 burns not a drop of oil. 5w30 synthetic.

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

If you don't know where your PCV valve is, I'd bet its very old and not working for you correctly. (Lube places won't change it typically.) GM has a TSB out for oil consumption on our cars if your PCV doesn't change things. (attached)

killagt

iTrader: (3)

change the pcv and give castrol syntec german version 0w30 ( buy at autozone ). that oil is little thicker side for 30 weight. But I would recomment change it to mobil 1 high miles 10w30.

NC01TA

Again, thanks for the replies and the diagram and assistance. My local GM dealer did not have one in stock so I ordered one at a total cost of $7.94. If I knew they were that inexpensive I would have just changed it for grins a few years ago. I'll keep you posted. It should be in tomorrow. Once I see what it looks like I shouild be able to figure out where it goes.

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

Ahhhhh. I think the last time I bought one it was less than $1 on sale. Any auto parts store should have them.

mred

iTrader: (5)

15w40 and never looked back

NC01TA

Well, I did it. A big thanks to all . This place is great for assistance and it is appreciated.
When I removed the old PCV valve it really stunk of oil and was much 'heavier' than the new AC Delco. I could hear it rattling but Lord knows what the inside looked like. It felt as though it was saturated but I have no idea. I cleaned the inside of the hoses before connecting the new one. Not too bad overall. We'll see what this does. Hopefully it will improve the oil consumption a bit.

Mr Incredible

Try a different brand of oil in a 10w-30.