Oil Consumption Questions

[01Y87]

Do the 3800 V6's have issues with oil consumption? Has anyone here had a problem? What is normal? My engine does have almost 100k miles but still, a lot of people have much more than that.

I think I may have a problem. My engine used to never be low. Yesterday I discovered that I was a qt low - 4,000 miles & 5 months after changing the oil - however, I may have added a little bit after that but I forgot to record it. I do not have any visible leaks on the ground or on the engine except for light seepage which is normal - in fact, its been about 4 months since I washed the engine and the tight spots around the edges of the valve covers is still clean. Last time I was under the car in the fall, all the gaskets were clean. I think i may be burning oil?

The consumption has definitely increased. i was reading that LS1's have this problem but i have not read anything about the V6. I've also read that GM service people say that 1qt/3000 miles is normal. How do you test an engine for burning oil?

Bruce

[Joshu]

im not trying to Hijack this thread but I am having similar issues at 131K. I was gonna start another thread but this one came up. The only difference is I'm running a 3.4. Also, my low oil light comes on, so I turn off the car and immidiatley restart it and it goes away

[Trash man]

01Y87 - are u using synthetic oil? cuz 4K on normal oil is kinda stretching it, i kno that most cars now-a-days say 7500 or w/e but normal oil every 3K and synthetic oil every 5K.

white devil - when it comes on, turn it off, then check the level. its not all that uncommon for the sensor in the pan to take a dump.


hope this helps guys

[01Y87]

No, no synthetic. I use Valvoline 10w30. I've been using Valvoline for years. And I must admit, I don't do the 3k oil changes. I do it when the "change oil" light comes on, which based on my driving happens approx. 6k miles give or take a few. Except for this time, it came on after a little less than 5k. It just came on with 98.8k on the clock, and I'm going to wait a thousand miles or so; just under 100k when at the same time I plan on replacing the tires.

I have never had a problem and this engine didn't lose a drop of oil until a few months ago, when it was a little low and I added a leftover 1/2qt but I forgot the date, and now I had to add a full qt.