Discussed Oil Consumption With My Dealer Today

2295 Views 30 Replies 21 Participants Last post by SMFCPACFP, Apr 4, 2001

fcalmes

Discussion Starter · Mar 29, 2001

3

I had a rather lengthy discussion with my dealership today about both of my Zs using oil. He told me that in late April or early May GM is going to be supplying a different set of rings for the LS1/LS6 engines for those that are using oil.

Good news is, GM is well aware of the problem...Bad news is they are going to have to tear into the guts of my engines. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif

The dealership said that those that are having problems, need to ducument document document. Be sure to have your service department do an "Oil Consumption Test"!!

When I had the oil changed in Sherylann's Z 3 weeks ago, I told the dealership I wanted them to document the fact that her car was using oil. When I talked to them tonight, they said they didn't know it was using oil. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif Thankfully, they have a reliable service department and they told me not to worry....If I'm having problems, they will take care of it. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

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FRC Tom

· #2 · Mar 29, 2001

I hope my dealer will be as coopertive as yours./phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

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ZEEE 06

· #3 · Mar 29, 2001

I doubt my dealer's service dept. even knows what a Z06 is. They only got two and mine hasn't been back since I picked it up. That's be a scary place to have to take it for them to work on!!!!!!!

Ranger

· #4 · Mar 30, 2001

We were told by a Corvette engineering source that one ring (the so-called "number 2" ring) on each piston would be replaced. According to the source, the replacement ring presses outward against the cylinder wall with 13# of force vice the existing ring's 9# of force. The change would be incorporated into 2002 LS1 and LS6 engines. Asked where the oil is going, the source said it's being burned.

Gotta tell ya folks, my engine is quite strong as is and it uses some oil, about 1000 miles/quart. But oil costs only $4.25 per quart. So over 36K miles oil consumption will cost $153. Why, I spend that every year buying cotton towels for detailing the car.

Now compare that $153 with the risk that the ring swap will result in some inadvertent, disassembly/reassembly issues.

There is also the fact that the new rings will produce greater friction, which in turn will inevitably reduce horsepower somewhat.

As you can tell, I'm not currently planning on putting in the new rings on my Z06.

That's a decision each person must make based on his/her own risk assessment.

Ranger

_________________
Torch Red 2001 Z06
Delivered August 2000
Just one day at the strip: best run 12.47 @ 117.4 mph
Only mod: Halltech Tric with CF Cobra
Current dyno results (SAE) 345hp 349tq

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fcalmes

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 30, 2001

That is a very good point, Ranger. I'm really undecided about what to do. A loose engine is a fast engine. I don't mind adding a little oil once in awhile. The word I get is that the oil is being burned in the CATS. Unfortunately, I do see a puff of smoke when I start the car, but it isn't bad...yet. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif

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hcvone

· #6 · Mar 30, 2001

The problem is it will get worse over time and foul plugs over time, that really sucks I wonder if you push GM for a buy back what they will say, or tell them you want a new engine unless they will give you some sort of extended warranty. I do not think many dealer's have a lot of good people that have ripped a new engine down, if fact I remember that a few LS1 engines were swapped out and not rebuilt when there was a problem, I read that on the CF a little over a year ago.

JZ

· #7 · Mar 30, 2001

4

If this truly becomes a serious issue, We should all get together, sign a petition, and demand new motors...screw the rebuild, my car has only 475 miles!! (I have not burned a drop however /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif )

I really hope this is not a "system wide" problem, and does not affect all Zs....but if it does, there is power in numbers, "All for one, and one for All" (Famous phrase from the Z Musketeers... /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif )

I Still Love My Z.....

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AmishVette

· #8 · Mar 30, 2001

Frank - How will GM define the problem? One quart in 15,000 miles, 5,000 miles, 500 miles? If we detect a problem, do we go running to the local dealer every time the car needs a quart for verification or just keep a private log?

I don't believe I have a problem now - but what if it uses oil at 40,000 miles in 3 1/2 years? /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif

Hmmmm - those 100,000 mile Kia's or Diawoo's or whatever which ones are lookin mighty tempting!

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Z06Scott

· #9 · Mar 30, 2001

Frank, a puff of smoke at start up is nothing to worry about, IMHO. My '98 Cobra used to smoke like a factory smoke stack every time I started it. It got so bad once after sitting for extended period, that I thought my garage was on fire. Oil consumption was never reported to be a problem Cobras either. I had my car for 3 years and 40,000 miles and it never used more than 1/2 to 1 quart of oil every 3,000 miles and sometimes not even that much. My dad still has his and it does the exact same thing on start up. I have had other cars that smoked at start up and never used any oil, although my Z doesnt do either one yet.
Now if your car starts to smoke while driving it then you know you have a real problem. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif Otherwise, I wouldn't be in any hurry to let the dealer tear my car apart, unless consumption gets real bad.

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C5David

· #10 · Mar 30, 2001

I started my oil consumption test yesterday. My local dealer said that 2000 miles per gallon (of oil, that is) was officially within GM's normal guidelines. I'm not sure if I should drive the shit out of it for the next 500 miles to maximize my oil usage for the consumption test. Well I do that anyway, so I really mean holding higher gears than I need to, and slowing down just so I can speed up again.

I've been wondering about what I might do if/when GM provides a free fix for this. Should I just wait to see if something goes wrong with the car that could be related to the oil consumption problem, and fix the problem then?

Is it possible to tear the engine apart, put it back together again, and have the rebuilt engine run better than the original?

fcalmes

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 30, 2001

3

1 gallon per 2000 mile?? /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif

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PowerShifter

· #12 · Mar 30, 2001

If this is a design problem some one will do a class action if they only want to do rings.Personaly mine hasen't been burning any for the last 2000mi, but it is driven much easer in the winter. I would demand an updated motor if it's system wide.JMHO Ric

Mako

· #13 · Mar 30, 2001

My Z is in surgery this week with the Piston ring fix. Based on this and the fact that I previously had the "0 PSI" on start-up issue, the Dealer is doing rings, head gasket, bearings and oil pump. I also had the second gear syncros replaced earlier-- "worn out"!!!!!

My right front brake rotor is corroding and flaking around the center circle and the pad cover in cracked. I expect that these will be replaced.

That said, I still love the car. I just hope that everything is right soon as my complete DRM top-end package will be here in 2 weeks (cam, heads, roller rockers, new valvetrain, pcm tuning and B & B shortie Z06 headers). I am really not too concerned about an incremental change in power with the fix, as my fix will fix that!!! I want to be rid of the puff of smoke on start up and other related oil sucking symptoms.

Good luck on your decisions!

Dennis Jurs

· #14 · Mar 30, 2001

I am with JZ on this one. My Z was only down less than a quart after 1700 miles, but if it starts to burn oil, I want a new motor, period. To me, it would be easier to just replace the motor rather than re-do the existing engine. Now I said easier, not cheaper.
GM will try to get by as cheaply as possible on this, IMHO. Why should we risk getting a fu-ked up car back just to save them money?
you guys can do what is best for yourselves, but, I would definitely be talking at least a new engine, or consider legal options.

C5David

· #15 · Mar 30, 2001

<<1 gallon per 2000 mile?? >>

Yup, that's what I get, 2000 mpg - I have to add a quart at least once every 500 miles. I figure I might as well measure oil consumption the same way you measure gas consumption. I buy a six pack of mobile 1 about once a month. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

If a dealer does a rebuild instead of a replacement of the engine, first thing I'll do is measure the hp/torque, acceleration times, engine temperature, and other things that are measurable. If it's any less, I'll demand that they redo it, and redo it, until it comes out at least as good as the old. At some point, it's cheaper to replace the engine than keep redoing it.

How much would a new LS6 cost GM?

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Candyman

· #16 · Mar 30, 2001

Frank, I checked my oil again today and im down about 3/4 of a quart in a little over 1K miles. As hard as I run it sometimes/always Im thinking this may be ok. I know my Imapla SS uses about a quart every 12-1500 miles when its ran really hard. I'd probably do the rings in one of the Z's and see how it goes and do the other later if necessary. JMHO

PA_Z06

· #17 · Mar 31, 2001

I could see a quart to 1500 to 2000 miles but 4 quarts to 2000 miles seems a bit excessive to me.

I also wonder what they will do in the reverse case. Your car doesn't use oil then over time starts to use oil.

levrac68

· #18 · Mar 31, 2001

I'm burning about a quart every 1k. If there needs to be a replacement given I want to be included. Even 1 quart per k is not acceptable. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_mad.gif

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Kindablue

· #19 · Apr 1, 2001

I can't believe GM let this defect slip through, where was the QC? This is the flagship Corvette, the best that GM has to offer. I'm so looking forward to my 2002 EB Z, but at the same time this should not have happened. Can you believe the public outcry if something like this happened at Lexus, MB, or BMW?

Soon to be EBZ owner. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif)

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fcalmes

Discussion Starter · #20 · Apr 1, 2001

Welcome to the Forum, Kindablue!! /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif And congratulations on you future Electron Blue Z06!!

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