Thread: big oil consumption

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  1. #1 big oil consumption 
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    I have a 07 base grand prix that had it's low oil level message come up yesterday. I checked the level this morning and to my surprise it was down 2 quarts! I have no visible leaks, no smoke out the tail pipe, and no burning smells. Where is the oil going? I just bought the car back in October and did a oil change with mobil 1 in December and put just over 1500 miles on it since. Never seen that message come up before. The car has 63,000 miles. I just got rid of my malibu that had the popular lower intake gaskets leak and picked up this car thinking the 3.8 is much better. What should I look for? I've never owned a car that consumed so much oil without a noticeable leak.
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  2. #2 Re: big oil consumption 
    Turbo is the way to go. Fivefingerdeathpunch's Avatar
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    You could try replacing the PCV valve and see if it slows down some.

    But It does happen where a motor just eats more oil than normal, maybe the piston rings have somehow moved a little and are causing more oil get past and the motor eats it.

    SMGPFC Member #1
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  3. #3 Re: big oil consumption 
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    does ur oil smell like gas??? if so i would have to go with rings being in bad shape as well... fill her back up and drive a bit then park on a piece of cardboard overnight then check it when u leave again... 2 quarts of oil wont just turn back into a dinosaur and walk off
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  4. #4 Re: big oil consumption 
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    There was actually a nice coating of new snow in the driveway where I parked so I will check in the morning for drips. I will also smell the dip stick for any gas. It was actually 2 quarts in 1,850 miles. I will also change the pcv since they are cheap.
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  5. #5 Re: big oil consumption 
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    ah snow we got some herein tn too but its a negligable amount
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  6. #6 Re: big oil consumption 
    GT Level Member GP Guy 07's Avatar
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    These engines consume oil,sometimes more than normal.I check at every other fill up to be safe.In the OP case that might indicate a problem?
    07 GP black on black,SPO spoiler,grills,hai,aftermarket rims,Led tails,drilled+slotted rotors
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  7. #7 Re: big oil consumption 
    Moderator dsmuts's Avatar
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    My car leaks a little oil but is never low at the oil change so I don't worry about 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
    01 gt z7 turbo tep trans zzp motor
    08 g8 gt cam exhaust 11.87@118
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  8. #8 Re: big oil consumption 
    GT Level Member Madness's Avatar
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    Do you make lots of short trips? Mine seems to use more when all the miles between changes are less than 10 miles. If I go on a long trip, say 250 miles each way-(500 total) it won't very much at all.

    Does this make sense?
    Favorite Quote: You can't fix stupid!!


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gxKStPXyn8
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  9. #9 Re: big oil consumption 
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    There's no gas smell on the dipstick. I didn't notice any leaks on the ground where I parked but I want to get it up on my ramps to do a thorough inspection. I drive it to work everyday which is about 20 miles each way.
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  10. #10 Re: big oil consumption 
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    then we can rule out rings... passenger side of engine close to the oil filter theres ur oil pressure sensor if it looks really clean and shiny that means oil is leaking there
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  11. #11 Re: big oil consumption 
    GrandPrix Junkie spazzz's Avatar
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    part of my cars diet is 1 quart of synthetic every 1000 miles....why? I dont know, from what I've read its kind of the norm for these engines.



    Edit 1000 was probably more like 2000...my bad
    Last edited by spazzz; 03-02-2013 at 08:53 PM.
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  12. #12 Re: big oil consumption 
    Moderator dsmuts's Avatar
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    I've never heard of a 3800 just using oil
    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
    01 gt z7 turbo tep trans zzp motor
    08 g8 gt cam exhaust 11.87@118
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  13. #13 Re: big oil consumption 
    GrandPrix Junkie spazzz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dsmuts View Post
    I've never heard of a 3800 just using oil
    I've read it many times...just made me feel better..chit I'm on the hunt again. Now I have to start all over. I dont have any leaks sept for maybe slight VC gasket,but a trace....nothing on ground....Google here I cum

    That 1st post is probably more like 2000 miles
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  14. #14 Re: big oil consumption 
    GTP Level Member FriboRage's Avatar
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    I've had 2 grand prixs now and both of them have had oil consumption problems, a ton frequent 1qt customers at work also drive 3800 cars.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    2004 Grand Prix GTP Comp G: Intake, F+R plogs + downpipe, 1.7 YT Rollers, Overkill, F-body front brakes, drilled/slotted r1 concept rotors.
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  15. #15 Re: big oil consumption 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    GM says eating a quart of oil per every 3,000 miles is acceptable. once most engines hit 100,000 miles it like a oil eating switch went off.

    to the op, your eating to much oil for sure, keep a close eye on it. every other morning, check it.

    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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  16. #16 Re: big oil consumption 
    Moderator dsmuts's Avatar
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    Guess when they turn 200k the oil consumption switch turns back off?
    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
    01 gt z7 turbo tep trans zzp motor
    08 g8 gt cam exhaust 11.87@118
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  17. #17 Re: big oil consumption 
    GrandPrix Junkie spazzz's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dsmuts View Post
    Guess when they turn 200k the oil consumption switch turns back off?
    you got the perks..I'm only at 95, but I did just recently change the PCV hopefully that makes mine like your 200 machine
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  18. #18 Re: big oil consumption 
    Killa Bee Scottydoggs's Avatar
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    truth is i leak more then i eat lol and still only loose a quart or less every 3,000 miles, some how im sure it would be less with out the leaks. and im at 225,000. it does get dirty looking by 1500 miles tho. and quite gassy smelling by 3,000.

    but both of my brand new off the lot ( a 97 and a 03) owned by me from day one, once they both hit 100,000 they ate a quart. and they had no leaks ever. and got a oil change every month, i drove them 3,000 miles or more a month. 90% highway. and i drove them both like i stole them on a daily basis.

    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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  19. #19 Re: big oil consumption 
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    same thing 256k no oil consumption no leaks and look at my avatar i was a pizza kar for 2 years fastest pizza kar in town
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  20. #20 Re: big oil consumption 
    SE Level Member 99XC600's Avatar
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    It's normal. It's part of the formula for the 3800's longevity. Mine does the same thing. No leaks, no burning, no white smoke. I guess it sacrifices it to the oil god's every day or so.
    2004 Ivory White Pontiac Grand Prix GT1 - Bone Stock and my 80 mile daily driver.
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