neglected 5.3 Ecotec

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That engine is a candidate for a heavier oil IMHO. 5w30 or even M1 0w40. I switched my SILs Jeep Wrangler 3.8 from 20wt oils to Edge 0w40 and halted oil consumption totally. Generally speaking 0w40 oils are pretty robust and hold up to negligence pretty well.
 
I have the same 5.3 in mine. Good to hear it can handle the abuse!
He's driving it the way 95% of people do, sadly.
Got 23950 on mine. Bringing in this week for my last free dealer oci
 
Sounds like this one is a treasure of a test bed for BITOGers!! Keep us posted...

M1 EP, 18k intervals....how about a UOA next time?
 
Were starting to get a few new gm's coming into the shop with the new 5.3L DI motor coming in for oil changes. The free oil changes must be running out. Each one before i change the oil never has any oil on the dipstick. For example today had a 14 Silverado come in for tires and an alignment, (72k on odometer) did my courtesy checks and found the no oil on the dipstick and atf pitch black. Up sold the trans exchange and an oil change. Guy couldn't remember last time oil was changed but at least he knew the truck took syn oil.
 
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Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
People like that seem to have the engines that run forever.


Definitely this. My dad:

1. Bought a car with a sketchy rating - used '99 Sebring in 2000. Really... these things were junk.

2. It was a rental car for about 15000 miles.

3. He never changes the oil unless I do it for him, and we live a few hundred miles apart. Probably had 8 or 9 oil changes.

The car probably has 85000 miles now (it's been short-tripped to death) and the engine doesn't skip a beat. It's truly a miracle at work. I don't think it consumes much oil, either.

EVERY time he shifts from reverse to drive, he does it when the car is still rolling in reverse. Doubt the transmission fluid has ever been changed. No issues.

I do everything I'm supposed to and get an engine that blows blue smoke at 40k miles on start ups. I dunno.
 
Originally Posted By: gabriel9766
Were starting to get a few new gm's coming into the shop with the new 5.3L DI motor coming in for oil changes. The free oil changes must be running out. Each one before i change the oil never has any oil on the dipstick. For example today had a 14 Silverado come in for tires and an alignment, (72k on odometer) did my courtesy checks and found the no oil on the dipstick and atf pitch black. Up sold the trans exchange and an oil change. Guy couldn't remember last time oil was changed but at least he knew the truck took syn oil.



There is a back story here somewhere. The ATF shouldn't be "pitch black" even with those miles on it.
 
I think you're worrying too much. 12k on the factory fill is a bit much, but since you state you used M1 EP for the next changes, it'll be fine. A what, 8qt. sump and 15k mi. rated oil?
 
If your friend does not care, why do you care? Sometimes the best lesson in life are the ones that cost money. Let your friend grenade his engine and if he moves on to another vehicle, let him grenade that one and so on.
 
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