Let's figure out why some Z06's burn oil and others don't

5997 Views 27 Replies 23 Participants Last post by Felkebg, Apr 8, 2001

C5David

Discussion Starter · Apr 2, 2001

There's got to be a good explanation for why some of our cars burn oil and others don't. Does anyone know why exactly? I've been assuming that GM just silently fixed the ring problem in the middle of the 2001 production run. But is the actually the case? If it is the case, I would expect that most if not all of the cars that don't burn oil would be greater than this magical production date. So it occured to me that the members on this forum could convert their VINs to production dates and from that information, we could determine when this magical cut off date is. Or, maybe we might find that no such date exists, implying there could be another reason why some cars burn oil and others don't. I think either outcome would result in some useful information.

Or maybe someone on this forum (Frank?) already knows the real answers to this issue, or perhaps there's a flaw in my reasoning?

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hcvone

· #2 · Apr 2, 2001

I read on another Forum, no not the CF but yet another one that the upper ring is 4 lbs light in pressure, I believe it said they were suppose to be 13 lbs pressure and they are 9 lbs. Some people drive their cars harder than others, and some engines may have a slightly tighter fit so they have a little more ring pressure, and they would not burn as much oil as others.

sconi

· #3 · Apr 2, 2001

There are a lot of garage queens waitin for winter to get the hell outta here! I can't wait to see if mine has that problem or snot!

Felkebg

· #4 · Apr 2, 2001

I'm steady as a rock on the oil and I have been driving high revs and high speed after a cautious break-in. My build date was 12/16/00 took delivery 01/04/01. I have 4300 miles on the clock today.

Let's keep chasing a date pattern here for awhile. We can rule it out if it doesn't hold up. An upgraded ring would take into effect slight mill differences wouldn't it?

_________________
'01, Z06, Millenium Yellow (reflective concepts front and rear "Corvette", electrochromics, BSMs, magnetic oil plug, cargo net, Lexol, and velcro'd accessories), Everyday driver (such a treat to drive Automobile's car of the year!)

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BOBSZ06

· #5 · Apr 2, 2001

My build was 12/22 and have about 1700 miles on the car having received it on 1/26. Mild driving with an oil/filter change at 400 miles. Down about 1/3 qt at this time in 1300 miles.
Sounds like some inferior rings due to poor quality control which allowed them to be produced with differing tensions.

PA_Z06

· #6 · Apr 2, 2001

I've also heard that the overlap was wrong when some of the engines were assembled. Over lap here being the seperation of the ring end gaps.

MiZ06

· #7 · Apr 2, 2001

My build date was mid Nov 2000. Purchased 11/28/00. I burned through 3 quarts of oil during my first 2100 miles; now at 3000 miles the oil level is still about 3/4 full. So either everything is finally seating or my driving has calmed down... Not. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif

I am following this discussion closely though, as I feel Carl and the others who have mentioned the problem with the rings are right. And as Ranger put it; do you want to pay more for oil over the course of a few years or take a chance on GM goodwrench tearing your engine apart and getting everything back in better shape than when they found it. (Ranger, if I miss quoted you or got mixed you mixed up with someone else. pls except my apologies in advance.)

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NEZ06

· #8 · Apr 2, 2001

Good idea, C5.

Birth date was 1/16/01. Been garaged here in New England since. About to get it on the road, I'll post after the break in to see if post December type of Z06 build dates are free of the defect.

Here's hoping...

BlkZO6

· #9 · Apr 3, 2001

I don't believe it is date related. mine was built Sept.06/00 and I haven't burnt any oil. I broke it in softly, and have been moderately tough on it since.

Rapid

· #10 · Apr 3, 2001

Built in July. 1300 miles since last oil change. Perhaps one third of a quart down. Total miles 2150.

GODSGFT

· #11 · Apr 3, 2001

What is the easiest way to find out your build date?

My VIN is 1G1YY12S615109849.

GODSGFT

· #12 · Apr 3, 2001

I just got a note from a friend that has a Z06. He was the first in the club to get his.
He had his prior to August last year and he said that he has had no oil consumption problems with normal driving. He races alot and says he burns some oil then but that it's normal.

JasonBrent

· #13 · Apr 3, 2001

My build date was 2/22/01 at 8:49:21am(how's that for exact) .. according to fcalmes sequence info I'm 3625 (if i remember correctly). Just had the oil changed at 1068 miles and it looked to me to be down a bit from where it was.. maybe .5-1qt... could just be frequent of high rev running though...

-jbl

Felkebg

· #14 · Apr 3, 2001

My build date was on my dealer's invoice which he left on the desk and it is under some panel in the car too (i think I read this)

AmishVette

· #15 · Apr 3, 2001

Mid September build date and very little if any oil consumption. Have hit the rev limiter numerous times, have run autox, and have a heavy foot ( per wife ).

Zippy

· #16 · Apr 4, 2001

2

Am keeping close tab on my oil level, but only have 401 miles on it as of today. I will add more info on this topic as my mileage increases. BTW, for those who don't already know, the month and year of your vehicle build is on a label inside the driver's door edge.
Mine was built January, 2001.

Zippy /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

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SMFCPACFP

· #17 · Apr 4, 2001

On 2001-04-02 17:48, MiZ06 :
....I am following this discussion closely though, as I feel Carl and the others who have mentioned the problem with the rings are right. And as Ranger put it; do you want to pay more for oil over the course of a few years or take a chance on GM goodwrench tearing your engine apart and getting everything back in better shape than when they found it. (Ranger, if I miss quoted you or got mixed you mixed up with someone else. pls except my apologies in advance.)

the problem isn't just to cause you to buy more oil, you can have the following problems:

Decreased horsepower and torque, piston sleeve scarrring, sludge formation (which can seize the engine), decreased lubricity properties of the oil from carbon and unburned fuel making its way back into the oil, and accelerated wear on the entire engine. These are all possibilities and may/may not happen. (Z06SPEED)

JTZ06

· #18 · Apr 4, 2001

My Z was built on October 4th. Anyone with or without oil problems around that build time? Mine just came out of storage. I will keep informed.

M3NOMORE

· #19 · Apr 4, 2001

My build date was Feb 26 2001 took delivery March 9, 2001. Added one quart at 1500 miles last week. Average driving with one or two WOTs and redlines a day just because.

G

· #20 · Apr 5, 2001

My build date is the same as BlkZO6 (number 56 off the line that day). Easy break-in over several days. Occasional hard use since. Just turned 3K - has not burned any oil at all.

Torch Z06 TPIS long tube headers, Vortex Rammer & Power Duct, B&M Ripper, Brey~Krause Harness Bar, Simpson 6 Point, CAGS Defeat.

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