Please Recommend Oil

[Django]

I have a 2002 GMC 3/4 ton van with the 5.7
I have owned the truck since new.
It just turned 50,000 miles.
It has lived on Valvoline 10w30 changed every 3000 miles since new.
In the last 10,000 miles it has started using a quart of oil every
1400 miles. No smoke at startup and no leaks at all.
Any suggestions on a different grade/brand of oil that would
help with the oil consumption?
Thanks in advance!
Ted B

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Django
I have a 2002 GMC 3/4 ton van with the 5.7
I have owned the truck since new.
It just turned 50,000 miles.
It has lived on Valvoline 10w30 changed every 3000 miles since new.
In the last 10,000 miles it has started using a quart of oil every
1400 miles. No smoke at startup and no leaks at all.
Any suggestions on a different grade/brand of oil that would
help with the oil consumption?
Thanks in advance!
Ted B


First of all

Is it the 6.0 or 5.3?

I did not know you could get a 5.7l after 2000...

Did it just start using this amount or work up to it? (I know you stated in the last 10k miles)

What type of use? 50,000 miles on a 8 year old vehicle is low use... Were those 3k ocis in what time frame?

10W-30 for your area is fine in the summer, but a 5w30 would be better in the cooler times of the year.

Bill

 

[CourierDriver]

maybe leaking valve cover gaskets, rear seal, go for the simple stuff first, wash down engine as best u can and look for leaks after a day or two

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: CourierDriver
maybe leaking valve cover gaskets, rear seal, go for the simple stuff first, wash down engine as best u can and look for leaks after a day or two


If he is leaking it (which I doubt with 50k on it) 1 quart every 1400 miles he would see it a mile away.

That is a MAJOR leak.

He would see smoke if valve cover gaskets and odor all over.

 

[Bill in Utah]

And I guess you can get a 5.7l in that vehicle.

Learn something new everyday...

 

[Django]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: Django
I have a 2002 GMC 3/4 ton van with the 5.7
I have owned the truck since new.
It just turned 50,000 miles.
It has lived on Valvoline 10w30 changed every 3000 miles since new.
In the last 10,000 miles it has started using a quart of oil every
1400 miles. No smoke at startup and no leaks at all.
Any suggestions on a different grade/brand of oil that would
help with the oil consumption?
Thanks in advance!
Ted B


First of all

Is it the 6.0 or 5.3?

I did not know you could get a 5.7l after 2000...

Did it just start using this amount or work up to it? (I know you stated in the last 10k miles)

What type of use? 50,000 miles on a 8 year old vehicle is low use... Were those 3k ocis in what time frame?

Bill


Hi Bill,
Yes it is the 5.7 2002 was the last year it was available.
It always used a little oil since new less than 1/2 a quart between oil changes.
I was shocked the first time I noticed it over a quart down.
Most of the miles are short city runs hauling sound equipment.
Out of the 50,000 total miles 10,000 highway the rest city driving.
Usually 5 to 6 months between oil changes.
For sure no visible oil leaks. I park on a new driveway.
Thanks again!
Ted B

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Django

Hi Bill,
Yes it is the 5.7 2002 was the last year it was available.
It always used a little oil since new less than 1/2 a quart between oil changes.
I was shocked the first time I noticed it over a quart down.
Most of the miles are short city runs hauling sound equipment.
Out of the 50,000 total miles 10,000 highway the rest city driving.
Usually 5 to 6 months between oil changes.
Thanks again!
Ted B


Ted

Okay, going from 6,000 miles a quart to 1400 miles is not normal.

Check the PCV system and make sure all is okay there.

Then change the oil to Pennzoil conventional 5w30 and see what that does for you. (I'd like for you to go to a different brand (it will be fine) to just get something different in the sump)

Do a few OCIs of 3k or 6 months whichever comes up first.

Is the gas mileage staying the same as it has been?

Take care, bill

 

[crazyoildude]

that engine spec. 5w30....
At one of our engine rebuilder seminars a speaker claimed that 5w20 and 5w30 lubricate the valve guides better than the 10w30-40 or the heavier oils. He was from either a parts maker or an oil company i don't remember which one..
i have used 5w20 5w30 in almost everything except the northstar that i use 10w30
I don't think the 10w30 hurt that engine so much in 50,000 miles. I also am not sure if what was said about the 5w oils lubricatine valve guides better but they do the research not me.. Valvoline is good oil
is it possible you have a leak? did you check the oil sender switch?

 

[Boomer]

Rings might be carboned up. Try a couple of "Italian tuneuyps" by going out on the Intereste and opening up with good acceleration and run at 75+ for a period of time. Repeat this several times. You might also consider the GM Upper Cylinder Cleaner (someone else on this board might help with the correct name for this stuff).

 

[Django]

Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
[
Okay, going from 6,000 miles a quart to 1400 miles is not normal.

Check the PCV system and make sure all is okay there.

Then change the oil to Pennzoil conventional 5w30 and see what that does for you. (I'd like for you to go to a different brand (it will be fine) to just get something different in the sump)

Do a few OCIs of 3k or 6 months whichever comes up first.

Is the gas mileage staying the same as it has been?

Take care, bill


Bill,
No change in the gas milage it runs and sounds like new.
I did change the PVC valve right when I noticed the onset of the oil consumption.
It was a universal replacement all they had in stock at the time.
Maybe I should change the PVC again with the OEM one.
Will give the Pennzoil a try.
Thanks....Ted B

 

[Boomer]

Rings might be carboned up. Try a couple of "Italian tuneuyps" by going out on the Intereste and opening up with good acceleration and run at 75+ for a period of time. Repeat this several times. You might also consider the GM Upper Cylinder Cleaner (someone else on this board might help with the correct name for this stuff).

 

[crazyoildude]

i was told they stopped making the gm upper cylinder cleaner..That was once great stuff
I was told that at a Cadillac dealer don't know if it is true

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Django

I did change the PVC valve right when I noticed the onset of the oil consumption.
It was a universal replacement all they had in stock at the time.
Maybe I should change the PVC again with the OEM one.


Don't worry about it. The chances of having the original fail and replacement not work are low.

Do the oil change to 5w30 and report back!

Bill

 

[Y_K]

It may be the case of oil volatility showing up with the specific usage pattern, e.g. short runs, going by mileage only while time takes toll on the TBN and the additive package in general, etc. I had similar experience switching from Mobil 1 to PP: had to add a quart per 1.5 k with long highway runs using PP in Panthers. Tried Amsoil, Redline and Mobil 1 afterwards and neither had the issue. Every oil and every car is different. Btw, 10w30 should have better if not the best volatility.