2004 Buick burning oil at 32000 miles

[New]

Hey guys,

All of a sudden my Buick started burning oil.
The usual OCI is 6`250 miles (by the oil life monitor) and up to 30`000 miles it didn't require any oil top-up.
But then it needed 1 qt before the 32`000. And another one before 35`000. There's no dripping on the driveway and the plugs are not sooty. I don't abuse the car and actually drive it very little, about 10`000 mi per year. It's not even supercharged. I bought it mainly because the 3800 power plant is supposed to be rock-solid.

GM confirmed there are no leaks but they say 1qt every 3`200 miles is normal (I tend to disagree). All my previous cars didn't require any oil between changes until over 100`000 miles. They weren't GMs though.

Is there a way I can do a compression test without triggering the service light?

 

[XCELERATIONRULES]

Try different types of oil.
Some seem to burn up more than others,IMHO

 

[HTSS_TR]

Try Valvoline Maxlife for next oil change.

 

[c3po]

I would go to Auto-Rx.com and look under application for oil burning, what brand of oil are you using and what is the weight of the oil, example being 5W-30.

 

[GMBoy]

Check the PCV valve before anything. Actually - they are cheap -just replace it.

 

[Eddie]

+1 GMboy.

 

[Donald]

I would do a compression test and replace the PCV. If the compression test is fine, then the rings are fine and if you replaced the PCV then basically the only thing left is valve stem seals.

Are you still under warranty?

One QT every 3200 miles is not super bad, but doubt GM would fix anything for that reason.

I would not bother with Auto-Rx at your mileage. Not needed yet.

I suspect a valve stem seal broke apart (or several) and they are allowing extra oil down the valve stems.

You may need to pay the dealer to pull the valve cover to diagnose, but once they find valve stems seals broken apart the warranty should cover things.

 

[wapacz]

Wouldn't he see smoke on start up if the stem seals were leaking?

 

[lazaro]

lots of people would say auto rx wich works fine, mineral oil does this to engines even when you change it often.
Im sure the engine is fine you just have accumulated varnish and sludge on the piston ring packs and there is where your consumption is going.
You could use Synthetic oil AKA AMSOIL to quicken up the cleaning process and leave in the dust your oil monitor light that only uses milage to compute your oci not actual oil condition. please use the site sponsors for advice...

 

[Spector]

Something happening that quick is probably not due to varnish sludge etc. most probable is PCV system. My 3800 SC uses about a quart in 7000 miles but will vary by type of driving. Interstate driving has higher consumption and if all interstate would be around a quart every 6000 miles.

Anyway, no need to panic on your part, keep an eye on it and look at that PCV

 

[mechtech2]

Your compression would likely test very good. The oil control rings are not tested.
That consumption is not bad, but I would expect 1/2 of that as normal for an average.
Get paper records when you went to the dealer, and keep an eye on usage closely.
Of course, maybe a new type of oil will fix it. It's tough to predict what brand an engine will like, but a bit thicker is usually helpful for oil burning.
I'd just try another brand, first.

 

[Merkava_4]

You didn't mention the oil weight you're using now and also the model of Buick; I'm going to assume it's a LeSabre. I use Maxlife 10W-30 in my 2000 LeSabre and I change it out every 4 months regardless of mileage.

The mileage is usually around 1700 miles. Yes I know that some guys consider that a waste of oil, but I don't care; I want my 3800 to see 400,000 miles before pulling it. If I was going by mileage alone, I'd never go over 3000.

I've got 96,000 miles on it now and it doesn't seem to burn any oil at all. Whenever I pull the dipstick, all 5 holes are filled with oil.

I recommend Maxlife 10W-30 or Valvoline Premium Conventional 10W-40 for the GM 3800 - and I feel comfortable making that recommendation.