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LS1 Oil Consumption

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Old Nov 18, 2001 | 06:12 AM
  #1  
Acer's Avatar
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From: Wollongong, Australia
Default LS1 Oil Consumption

Hi,

This topic has probably been discussed many times before but I was just wondering about your experience in the USA with excessive LS1 engine oil consumption. The topic is currently a hot issue between us Ozzies on the LS1 Holden/HSV forum & thought you might have more info such as:

1. Typical oil usage rates with synthetics such as Mobil 1?

2. Have GM come out with a fix other than the piston rings described in the article: "Beyond Awsome"?

3. Have many engines been repaired in the USA under warranty by GM to rectify the problem?

4. Any other words of wisdom?

Thanks <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">
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Old Nov 18, 2001 | 08:09 AM
  #2  
TA_2001's Avatar
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From: Dallas,Texas
Default Re: LS1 Oil Consumption

Here lets get gm into this picture..
check these links..

http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=103

and another

http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=5

I have heard that people using the synthetic
oils have more trouble with this.
According to an online survey of oil used
majority are running mobil1. I am from the
old school and dont understand synthetic oil.
Im sure it quite good, but I stick with dino
oil. For added proctection I have never let
the dino oil get dirty in 14K miles.
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Old Nov 18, 2001 | 01:49 PM
  #3  
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From: Aub, Fl
Default Re: LS1 Oil Consumption

It's strange how some LS1's use so much oil while others hardly use any, my '98 with 58,000+ miles hardly uses a drop(between changes it appears to use none) I have never had to add oil to my engine and I always use Amsoil 10W30 synth.
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Old Nov 18, 2001 | 02:24 PM
  #4  
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Default Re: LS1 Oil Consumption

Some of our LS1 engines do not respond well to Mobil 1 Xw30 synthetic oil. Other members have noticed this. It probably has to do with certain engine/manufacturing variances. I am not dissing mobil 1 oil. But one thing that may help is trying a good brand alternative like non-synthetic penzoil(what the dealer uses)10w30 and a delco or mobil oil filter. Then monitor your oil consumption. You may find it helps a lot. You can try all the other routes mentioned here. But this is easy/cheap to try and may help your particular engine. It may very well reduce your oil consumption to a much more liveable 1 quart in 2000 miles or even better.
It's what i run and i use less than a quart in 2000 miles with many wide open throttle runs and higher rpm activity.
If this helps then try another synthetic like penzoil or royal purple, etc... 10w30 oil. I am sure there are other good oil filters but i recommend Mobil or delco oil filters as they are easily available and work well for everyone for our LS1 engines.
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Old Nov 18, 2001 | 02:45 PM
  #5  
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From: Chi-Town, IL
Default Re: LS1 Oil Consumption

My motor does it no matter what...doesn't matter if its synthetic or non
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Old Nov 18, 2001 | 03:14 PM
  #6  
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Default Re: LS1 Oil Consumption

[quote]Originally posted by BIGBOS:
<strong>My motor does it no matter what...doesn't matter if its synthetic or non</strong><hr></blockquote>

It took some people a while to notice a difference. Like a few oil changes. Of course , maybe you now have some damage contributing to this, or had some to begin with. In any case, if i were expieriencing oil consumption i would not be pouring high dollar synthetic oil into it. I would try (in your case) penzoil(etc...) dino oil and change it every 2,000 miles and monitor it. Also use mobil or delco oil filters.

Have you done a leak down test on your cylinders to see if you have a definite mechanical problem?

Maybe your driving habits are contributing to this? You know, lots of high rev driving? Nitrous use?

Actully 1 quart every 1500 miles isn't all that bad. Some people have seen 1 quart every 500 miles. <img src="images/icons/shocked.gif" border="0"> So maybe (depending on your driving habits) you really don't have a problem. Or maybe it's PCV related(drawing oil in thru the PCV).
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Old Nov 18, 2001 | 03:16 PM
  #7  
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From: Chi-Town, IL
Default Re: LS1 Oil Consumption

I don't know what the problem is...but Im really not that worried about it right now as long as its performing well...
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Old Nov 19, 2001 | 12:20 AM
  #8  
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From: Chi-Town, IL
Default Re: LS1 Oil Consumption

Yea I use synthetic and I have to check it all the time...about a quart every 1500 miles... <img src="images/icons/shocked.gif" border="0">
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Old Nov 19, 2001 | 03:05 AM
  #9  
Acer's Avatar
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From: Wollongong, Australia
Default Re: LS1 Oil Consumption

Thanks for the info. To me 1 quart every 2000 miles (0.95l/3200 km) still seems way too high for a modern engine. Virtually all other cars I have owned over the last 20 years have not needed any oil top up betweem oil changes at over 6000 miles (10,000 km) <img src="images/icons/confused.gif" border="0"> I think GM are pulling a swifty in claiming this oil usage is acceptable.

Have any of you noticed a significant reduction in oil usage after modifying the PCV system?
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