Thread: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already?

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  1. #1 Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
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    I just got a full syntheic oil change about a month ago. Fresh oil filter as well. So I'm driving the other day and my low oil light comes on. I pull the dip stick after a swipe and the oil is so low that only a small portion of the tip is showing oil, about a 1/4 below the "add 1 quart" marker. Tried another angle and the same result. I am baffled because 1.There is no sign that the car is burning oil, there is no white smoke coming out the exhaust, the engine does not overheat, and the is no burning smell whatsoever. 2. Although I haven't crawled under the car, I see no evidence of any type of leak, meaning I have never once seen an oil spot under the car. I am stumped. Even if this thing was burning mad oil I don't see how it could of burnt THAT much oil in that short of a driving period. I haven't been abusing the car either. Anyone have any idea what might be going on here? Car has around 90,000 miles and has always had synthetic.
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  2. #2 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
    GTP Level Member indygrandprix's Avatar
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    What engine? If its a 3.8 with a steel pan that could defintley be part of it. Also could be leaking from the crank seal. Look around the harmonic balancer and see if theres a lot of oil
    Quote Originally Posted by BillBoost37 View Post
    I went NA when a whore left -$300 in my bank account.
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  3. #3 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by indygrandprix View Post
    What engine? If its a 3.8 with a steel pan that could defintley be part of it. Also could be leaking from the crank seal. Look around the harmonic balancer and see if theres a lot of oil
    I'm sorry, forgot to mention. It's a 02 GTP. L67 Series 2
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  4. #4 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
    Donating Users Bronco Boy's Avatar
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    What was the oil level on the dipstick after the oil change?

    My thought being that not enough oil was put in at that time.
    Chris B
    2009 CX-9
    ** SOLD ** 2002 GT
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  5. #5 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
    Moderator dsmuts's Avatar
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    It's leaking somewhere. Try changing the pcv valve to lessen it
    98 GTP modded 1.9's, sd headers, 3.4", zzp 1.0 230K miles scrapped.
    04 Comp G zzp stb's, UMI ta's, Speedbuilt sways, bully flo heads, XP, zzp headers, fsic, thrasher shift kit, 60#, 2.6" corsa 2.5", Inferno hood
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  6. #6 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    sounds like a oil pressure sensor crapped out and is leaking. its right by the oil filter, turn the wheels to the left, then look from behind the pass side wheel, if the plug to it is wet theres your leak.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  7. #7 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bronco Boy View Post
    What was the oil level on the dipstick after the oil change?

    My thought being that not enough oil was put in at that time.

    I took it to a local reputable shop who was changing my downpipe at the time. I didn't bother to check the dipstick afterwards.
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  8. #8 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by Scottydoggs View Post
    sounds like a oil pressure sensor crapped out and is leaking. its right by the oil filter, turn the wheels to the left, then look from behind the pass side wheel, if the plug to it is wet theres your leak.
    What would account for there not being any oil spot under the car? I park it the same place everynight, a pretty flat surface and have never seen an oil spot.
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  9. #9 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    if its leaking you'll see a ton of oil in your parking spot. and under the car body sprayed back.

    ive had 3 fail on me. they can drain the oil in miles if blown out bad enough.

    98 Buick Regal GS, F body brakes, Caddy STS wheels, tinted tails L36 bottom end, lightly ported heads, 1.95 roller rockers, headers, gen 5 N* 3.0 pulley, FSIC, 42 lb injectors, a BrandonHall rebuilt trans, DHP tuned and AEM water/Meth injection https://goo.gl/gpV5kW
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  10. #10 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
    Donating Users Bronco Boy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by EB0286 View Post
    I took it to a local reputable shop who was changing my downpipe at the time. I didn't bother to check the dipstick afterwards.
    Lack of filling is something to consider then.

    When I go through the speedy oil change places, I make sure they show me the dipstick level. I also watch them like a hawk to make sure they are doing things properly.
    Chris B
    2009 CX-9
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  11. #11 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
    The Boss Iceman6669's Avatar
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    My oil pressure sensor was leaking... Never leaked enough to leave a spot in the garage..
    97 GTP Sold-prolly rusted away by now
    2011 F-150 Yote powered
    Too Hot to Handle, Too Cold to Hold
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  12. #12 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
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    You didn't check the oil level? I double check it even when I do it myself. Mistakes happen
    2002 Fully Loaded GTP. Cat back exhaust and 20% window tint all the way around(Rollin in the dark). Soon to be CAI, headers, and high flow cat.
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  13. #13 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
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    Well my car has went through 1 quart and a half of 10W30 synthetic oil again, less than 500 miles. I had a local guy who is knowledgeable take a look at my car. He says he didn't see any oil leaks under or around the car and in his opinion "The motor is worn out and is burning the oil". Ok, I'm not a mechanic but I refuse to believe that my motor is so worn out that it's using a quart per 250 miles. Tons of power, low miles, no smoke coming out the exhaust at any point, no burning smell. I only wish I had the money right now to take it some place and really have it checked out good. Does anyone have any other ideas as to what might be going on?
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  14. #14 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
    GTX Level Member QUICKSILVER462's Avatar
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    You can burn oil and not witness it at all, no smell or sight of the burning, and I experienced it first hand in my 1986 Regal I had a 1970 Buick 455 in. I burned 3 quarts in 75 miles driving to the racetrack, you think there would be smoke like hell, but nothing noticed, and the spark plugs where clean also. The problem was my PCV valve was no longer shrouded from oil when I changed the intake manifold and used the composite gasket instead of the steal pan type gasket, the steel pan type gasket blocks oil from the lifter valley from being sucked into the PCV valve. What I had to do was change the location of the PCV valve from the rear of the intake manifold (which is the stock location), to the left side valve cover. The way I discovered I was 3 quarts low on oil was at the finish line at the race track, when I would brake to make the exit, my engine started knocking and indication on my oil pressure gauge dropped to "0". So YES you can burn oil, a lot of oil, if the conditions are right and not see, smell, notice it at all.
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  15. #15 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by QUICKSILVER462 View Post
    You can burn oil and not witness it at all, no smell or sight of the burning, and I experienced it first hand in my 1986 Regal I had a 1970 Buick 455 in. I burned 3 quarts in 75 miles driving to the racetrack, you think there would be smoke like hell, but nothing noticed, and the spark plugs where clean also. The problem was my PCV valve was no longer shrouded from oil when I changed the intake manifold and used the composite gasket instead of the steal pan type gasket, the steel pan type gasket blocks oil from the lifter valley from being sucked into the PCV valve. What I had to do was change the location of the PCV valve from the rear of the intake manifold (which is the stock location), to the left side valve cover. The way I discovered I was 3 quarts low on oil was at the finish line at the race track, when I would brake to make the exit, my engine started knocking and indication on my oil pressure gauge dropped to "0". So YES you can burn oil, a lot of oil, if the conditions are right and not see, smell, notice it at all.
    Very useful post with lots of good info. Thanks for sharing. So ok, my engine might be burning oil, but I still call BS on the " The motor is worn out and that's why it's using so much". That theory doesn't add up to me.
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  16. #16 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
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    Very good thread here. I don't have much to add but my 01 GTP is going through a quart or so every 3000 miles with no leaks on the ground either. Engine runs strong and silky smooth. I find it hard to believe that mine is "worn out" too. I hope you can get to the bottom of the problem so that it might benefit others as well. Good luck!
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  17. #17 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
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    any chance the oil is being sucked through the lower intake gasket into a cylinder? I had an external leak from the LIM but it was in a spot where the rear exhaust manifold was burning it off before it could get to the ground but I if you had that problem you would notice the smoke/smell right away.

    if you want to rule out the worn engine theory just do a compression and leak down test on it.
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  18. #18 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
    Donating Users Bronco Boy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by QUICKSILVER462 View Post
    You can burn oil and not witness it at all, no smell or sight of the burning.....
    This. Back in the 90's, I had a brand new car that consumed about a quart every 3 months.



    Quote Originally Posted by EB0286 View Post
    .....I still call BS on the " The motor is worn out and that's why it's using so much". That theory doesn't add up to me.
    Not worn out, but worn. It is not BS. Do an engine flush on a hi mileage engine; the knocks and rattles afterwords are awesome.
    Chris B
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  19. #19 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
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    I appreciate all the responses guys. I still say a quart per 200 miles is not right regardless of how "worn" my engine might be. I suggested the compression test and he said that wouldn't tell us anything. As for it being sucked throught the lower intake gasket, I do not know. I guess that will have to be checked when I get a chance to take this thing to a real garage.
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  20. #20 Re: Fresh oil change, 1000 miles and low oil level light already? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bronco Boy View Post
    This. Back in the 90's, I had a brand new car that consumed about a quart every 3 months.




    Not worn out, but worn. It is not BS. Do an engine flush on a hi mileage engine; the knocks and rattles afterwords are awesome.
    A quart every 3 months is no compairson to a quart every 200 miles or so, new car or not.
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