Burning/Using Oil

[Bob Barrett]

Hello,

I recently purchased an '02 Camaro with V6 and manual transmission. The car runs excellent but is burning/using oil at the rate of about a quart every 1,500 miles. I'm using 10w30 as recommended.

The car only has about 25K miles and the only mods from stock are Magnaflow cat-back dual exhaust system, Whisper intake & K&N filter.

The engine is really clean, there is no evidence of oil leakage and there isn't any visible smoke from the exhaust. I do mostly highway driving, could the perf mods be causing the oil to be burned?

Anyone having this same issue?

Thanks, Bob

[HokieBird]

Re: Burning/Using Oil

Have you looked under the car for oil leaks or just from the top of the engine bay? Rear main seals leaking is pretty common for our cars. Your mods should have no affect on oil levels.

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Burning/Using Oil

well GM says that normal oil consumption is 1qt/2Kmiles. you a little past that but it also is based off driving. if you are hot rodding your car, driving at higher speeds, high rpms, or driving your vehicle under load like added wheight or hills or something that would cause load. then it can be more than that specified value. double check you engine bay.

[Shodown]

Re: Burning/Using Oil

Have you looked under the car for oil leaks or just from the top of the engine bay? Rear main seals leaking is pretty common for our cars. Your mods should have no affect on oil levels.

I just recently noticed that problem on my car. Is that expensive to fix? Is it hard to fix by yourself?

[HokieBird]

Re: Burning/Using Oil

It is expensive to fix because labor will run high. You have to pull your transmission. If its a small leak I would wait it out. Especially if you think you will be replacing your clutch any time soon. Can't help you with how hard it would be.

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Burning/Using Oil

remember that if you have a manual, that a leak like that, in that area by the clutch, could lead to the fluid getting on the clutch causing slipping and expensive premature failure.

[Shodown]

Re: Burning/Using Oil

I have an automatic.

Now I am between a rock and a hard place. I have a nitrous kit waiting for me to install. I dont think it would be smart at all to run nitrous with leaking oil.

I will probably suck it up and pay to have it fixed. :( Thanks for the info guys.

[BobbyZ72]

Re: Burning/Using Oil

First you have to figure out whats leaking, oil pan gasket, or rear main seal. Turned out both of mine where leaking and i had to take my car in twice, and ended up paying almost twice as much. I would recommend you do both the first time, i beleve youll thank your self in the long run.

[Shodown]

Re: Burning/Using Oil

First you have to figure out whats leaking, oil pan gasket, or rear main seal. Turned out both of mine where leaking and i had to take my car in twice, and ended up paying almost twice as much. I would recommend you do both the first time, i beleve youll thank your self in the long run.

Thanks for the info bro. How much was each visit to the mechanic for those?

I am sure it will be slightly different in my area, but I am looking for a ballpark figure.

[BobbyZ72]

Re: Burning/Using Oil

if i remeber correctly.. for the main seal it was 450. for the oil pan gasket it was 350. the main seal took about 6 hours, and the oil pan gasket took about 4.5 hours. i am friends with my mechanic and we figured if we did both at the same time it would have costed about $500 and would have taken about 6-7hours. Again this was about a year ago, but those are the prices i remember. all prices were with out parts.

[Shodown]

Re: Burning/Using Oil

Sweet. Thanks man.

[Bob Barrett]

Re: Burning/Using Oil

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

I haven't seen any spots on the driveway under the car, but I still need to get under there to check things out.

I'm hoping that this is just 'normal' oil consumption based on what GM says...heck I change my oil every 3K anyways.

Bob