DREAMZ28

iTrader: (1)

My 126k mile LS1 is burning way too much oil.


It goes through around 3-3.5 quarts by the time its time for an oil change. Before I knew of the problem, it got so low the low oil light came on around 5k miles after an oil change. I've had people follow me and they report that it doesn't smoke under any circumstances, engine braking, idle, anything. The motor itself ran good (its down right now for some top end trouble), had a small idling problem, but that might've been caused by a dime sized hole in the pcv hose coming from the drivers side valve cover.


I'm trying to figure out what may be causing this. It does have a small oil leak, not sure where at, but there's no way it could cause this much consumption unless it gets worse under throttle. My friend looked under the car and told me he saw oil built up around the oil pan bolt.

Not sure where to start once I get the car up and running.

RockinWs6

The cats burn the oil up so well that you won't see blue smoke unless its just dumping oil into the exhaust. My WS6 only has 60k on it uses a lot of oil too, I'd say easily 3qts between changes. Runs fine but obviously something's wrong. My 99TA used ALOT of oil too, 2-3 qts between changes for 130k miles till I sold it. Not unusual with these engines. I personally think my WS6 has too much piston slap and is causing the problem. Pistons are noisy even warmed up.

dhctss

iTrader: (3)

I use between 1/2 to 2 quarts every 5-6 k before oil change. 115 k miles

DREAMZ28

iTrader: (1)

I'm guessing it's just normal and I'm on the higher side of the spectrum?


It does piston slap like the average LS1 but honestly not that bad, and you can barely hear it warm.

slow_FNG

iTrader: (1)

What is piston slap? I too burn oil, I but on the first hit going WOT and when engine braking. Noticed it when I got tuned, tuner ran a compression check via HPtuners and it read 100% on all 8. He said it could be bad valve (seats, I think) or messed up PCV valve. I can barely see the valve on the drivers side, let alone change it. I do have a slight tick at idle, but only hear it from mid car, pop the hood and I hear nothing. Leaning towards exhaust leak on that. I'm at 128k miles, stock long block, any thoughts?

RockinWs6

Well any slap is going to let oil past the rings, they were not designed with a rocking piston in mind.

RockinWs6

Replacing the valve seals will help on any gm engine with over 75k miles on it.

SSDavid

Im on the same boat. 169k miles. No smoke, no oil leaks now. Burns a solid 3-4 quarts in 3k miles. And I have the good ole piston slap cold and warm. Runs good though just have to watch my levels.

DREAMZ28

iTrader: (1)

I guess we just have to monitor levels then. Guess it's good that it's nothing seriously wrong with it.

slow_FNG

iTrader: (1)

I'm a complete newb. What are valve seals? I mean, I understand and know what a valve looks like in a head, but is the head precision machined of metal and the valve is metal? Don't they just press against each other? Or am I completely unaware?

dhctss

iTrader: (3)

I changed from a ls1 intake to ls6 and there was so much oil in intake. I added a catch can so i will not get all the oil in this intake. So if you guys dont have a catch can good idea. I got mine at ws6 store the norris catch can. Its a decent one for the money

DREAMZ28

iTrader: (1)

Yea I was considering going to a catch can setup, I found a dime sized hole in my pcv hose anyways. I've read the can should actually be designed a specific way in order to function properly.

RezinTexas

my 383 is only a year old (8k miles), with all new components/seals and it burns about 1qt per 1k miles. Zero smoke (no cats either), and also no piston slap. My catch can gets maybe 10% of it.

Its a complete mystery to me...

Jimbo1367

REZINTEXAS,
WOW. THATS ALOT to me.

flattusmaximus78

iTrader: (1)

1 quart of it is normal, and your pcv is also sucking up oil into the intake, they all do. i imagine a huge hole in the pcv isn't helping either. That is also a vac leak, which explains why you have idle issues more than likely. Then the rest of your missing oil is probably your leak.

My car ran like dick when my pcv ripped.

I have a 347 with about 5k miles on it. It used a quart between changes even with a cc. Now with a breather filter that opens at wot it doesn't really use anything at all so far.

RezinTexas

yup, the same amount as RockinWS6 and SSDavid have reported above.

Maybe it is "normal" however I'm still interested to know where the oil is going.

maroonls1z

My oil light typically comes on before I hit 5k miles and have to add a quart. No piston slap, no smoke, 179,000 miles

DREAMZ28

iTrader: (1)

Be careful with that oil light, it's not really much of a warning. If it's low enough to set the light off don't drive it.

DREAMZ28

iTrader: (1)

Exactly, I'd like to fix it but don't really have the mechanical skills to pike around till I find the problem.

SlasherVRGR

iTrader: (1)

Valve seals are on the stem of the valve, on the top side(side your valve covers go on) they seal the stem so that oil doesn't leak into the combustion chamber.

Edit: they're mounted on the head, not the stem just to be clear.