3.5 GM losing oil

[POINTER94]

I have a 2000 olds intruige with the 3.5l "shortstar" engine 42K miles. Nice powerful 6 cyl for a passenger car and fairly pleasant to drive.<br /><br />For some reason it burns or eats or evaporates a quart of oil every 3K. Why? The dealer says this is normal, I have a hard time with that. But it doesn't leak any oil and the exhaust is clean so I don't see it burning it.<br /><br />Should I be concerned? Right now I am not but if there is something out there on these engines, I would sure like to know..<br /><br />thanks..

 

[LubeDude]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

I wouldnt be too overly concerned with a quart every 3K, Just change it when it gets down a quart! What oil are you using and what weight?

 

[POINTER94]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

LubeDude,<br /><br />I use Valvoline, 5w-30. This is what the book recommends in terms of weight. I have never heard of anything negative about Valvoline so that is what I use. I have used castrol in the past as well in some of my other vehicles.<br /><br />This car gets nothing but hwy miles, 55 no, 60 no, 65mph steady . 23 miles one way on county roads to work. Exactly 4 stop lights. <br /><br />Runs great otherwise. Any other feedback on this model? <br /><br />Thanks--Doug

 

[LubeDude]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

I do not like bashing any product, but you will use more oil with Valvoline than with most other oils due to its low additive package! Id go to Chevron (ISO/SYN) or go with a synthetic and extend your drain intervals to 5,000 miles! With your climate your using the right weight. Still 1 quart in 3000 mile isnt that bad but you could do better!

 

[POINTER94]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

Thanks for the info,<br /><br />This car has a light that tells you when to change the oil. Would you disregard that, and go with the 3500 mile ritual?<br /><br />Feelings (not bashing ) on Castrol.... Some of the oil brands brought up here don't seem available around here.....<br /><br />Thanks, Doug K

 

[LubeDude]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

Castrol is OK, Better than Valvoline, (not that Valvoline will actually harm your engine, its just low on the oil chain so to speak) I just like the aditive package in the Chevron ISO/SYN oils, You dont hear much about them, but they are a great oil! Usually you can find it at almost any parts store ! WallMart etc.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

Originally posted by LubeDude:<br />Castrol is OK, Better than Valvoline, (not that Valvoline will actually harm your engine, its just low on the oil chain so to speak) I just like the aditive package in the Chevron ISO/SYN oils, You dont hear much about them, but they are a great oil! Usually you can find it at almost any parts store ! WallMart etc.

Lubdude, you have not seen the engines I have that have used Valvoline.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

Thanks again,<br /><br />I would then make the assumption that the chevron brand is what you would recommend for use in my 5.7L marine engine or..............?<br /><br />FYI. I will probably use what you recommend in the boat for sure. I have read many of your posts and I value your recommondation. <br /><br />Doug

 

[LubeDude]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

SBN: <br /><br />Like I said, Its not a bad oil and will do no damage, but due to its week aditive package (Compared to many other pertrolium oils) it can cause some engines to use more oil than if you were using other oils! Im not saying not to use it! But there are better petrolium oils!<br /><br />Pionter94:<br /><br />If I didnt want to go to a full synthetic, I would use the Chevron Delo 400 15W-40. Great aditive package, great detergency, and great off season protection! Good for 100-150 hours easy!

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

If the dealer says it's normal it must be true

 

[POINTER94]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

Lubedude,<br /><br />As I choose what goes in the boat, fiance sometime chooses what the jiffy lube puts in the car, I will go with your recommondation!! Thanks. <br /><br />It appears you may be in the industry, do they have ratings like consumer reports on oil by brand? Or is this an industry insider deal. I work for a manufacturer and I could tell you the in's and out's of the products in my world and they are not published. <br /><br />Anyplace to find this info beyond posting to you here?

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

I don't know, I think a quart every 3k on a 4 year old engine is excessive. I have a 93 Jeep that never needs oil added, and my 95 Ford f150 barely uses any oil at all, despite a very slight rear main leak. I suppose you can live with using a quart every 3k, but I don't think it is normal on such a modern engine.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

I'm not familiar enough to comment on your particular engine, but some engine designs do consume more oil than others. This in no way reflects in the engine's quality or durability.<br /><br />I know that Volks 2.0 L engines consume oil at about the rate you describe. My old 1989 Jetta 1.8 didn't consume any oil even after 300,000 kms on 10W30 but did use some on 5W30.<br /><br />My 2002 Honda Civic 1.7 L doesn't consume a droplet of oil, but without trying to sound arrogant, Honda's in a different class all together.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

This site will answer a lot of questions, but most of my knowledge comes from years of searching!<br /><br /> All you ever wanted to know about motor oil

 

[marv plotzka]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

Did you mention if the engine has always used a little oil? You may want to throw a wrench on the intake manifold bolts and snug them up a bit.<br />This seemed to help out an Accord V6 I once owned.<br />Just a thought.

 

[Scoop]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

I can't help too much, but I do have an Intrique with a 3.5L in it. It is the 195HP version from 1998. It does not use any oil and has 176,000 miles plus on it. Not sure if it is the engine, or the oil. I use Pennsoil exclusively. OK, I am sure that there are a boatload of people out there that say Pennzoil bites, but I have never had anything but luck with Pennzoil and I have had lots of cars that have had over 150K and even 200K without burning oil. I would suggest a 3000 or 3500 Miles change. That oil change lite is worthless. I just wish the rest of the worked as well as the engine.<br /><br />Olds did change the engine in either 1999 or 2000. They increased the horsepower from 195 to 215 and I am not sure what they did to get the extra HP.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

Nothing wrong with Penzoil, It consistantly turns in some of the best UOA results out there for conventional oils, (Used Oil Analysis).

 

[DJ]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

POINTER94,<br /><br />Oil useage is not always a true guage of base engine health.<br /><br />If it really bothers you, I would make a brand change, as suggested, and see how it goes. Stick with the manufacturers viscosity recommendations though (5W-30).

 

[POINTER94]

Re: 3.5 GM losing oil

Thanks everyone,<br /><br />I really do like the performance of the engine, she really moves for a 3.5l and I get anywhere from 26-30gpm. I will be changing the brand of oil and not worry about it as it has not shown any indication of a problem other than the occasional quart of oil.<br /><br />If it goes south you will all hear about it!