Oil Burning Issue

[EmersonHart13]

I am at about 45 percent on the Oil Life Monitor and my oil light came one, I proceeded to add 2 quarts. WTF...

Car has never burned oil, but something of note did happen about 2 weeks ago. My brother borrowed my car and the heavens opened and we got insane rain here in Chicago. The front end got a "little" wet and that includes the possibility of ingesting some water. I was not there so I do not know the exact story, but I can tell you he did not try to drive through a giant lake he just got trapped nose first to one on the highway and no way to get away as the water rose.

But that is not the point... This morning after driving to work I did a white smoke test recommended to me by a friend, pulled the dipstick and I was sending smoke signals, oh joy.

Your thoughts please

For reference the discussion started here at post 57:

http://www.thechicagogarage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44607&page=3

I didn't want to hijack that thread any more than I already have.

Also the swimming picture for those that missed it:

http://www.thechicagogarage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=787076&postcount=478

Click to read more...

 

[skeezer]

OMG

 

[EmersonHart13]

In the other pose James and Joel are saying I need to do a leak down test, James mentioned something about the PCV system hose collapsing.

Also on LS1Tech this guy says I probably have water in my oil, though I do not understand how it got in there nor how that would cause me to burn oil.

 

[skeezer]

Drain it, see what comes out.

 

[EmersonHart13]

I am not opposed to it, I just do not understand how water would get into the crankcase and then cause oil to burn.

Edit: He seems to think water got ingested and then was pushed passed the rings into the crankcase.

Now just have to understand how that would cause oil to burn off...

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

If it ingested water it could have been pushed passed the rings (water doesn't compress) which could have damaged something like a ringland or the rings. I'd think with water in the oil it wouldn't last as long as it has without eating a bearing. I'd do an oil change and see if it comes out murky.

 

[EmersonHart13]

Well I don't drive that much so there have not been many miles put on the car since it happened. The car runs great, no knocking/pinging, and it feels strong.

I will do an oil change tomorrow morning and see what comes out.

As an FYI I run Castrol Syntec Blend and AC Delco filters.

 

[EmersonHart13]

Also, just wanted to say thanks for everyone's input and in advance for future help.

 

[EmersonHart13]

Changed the oil this morning, no chocolate milkshake came out. Oil is pretty good, might be ever so slightly watery but nothing "major".

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

if you've got the time I'd say do a leakdown test on each cylinder and see if air is escaping into the crankcase or not.


Or just see if it's still eating oil or not for the new stuff. You under warranty still?

 

[EmersonHart13]

No sir, been out for about a monthish now.

I do not know how to, nor have the equipment for the leakdown test.

I was thinking about giving it a week to see if I burn oil, unless I can find someone with the stuff or know how to check it for me.

 

[cderry]

My gxp burns about a quart every 3k miles running 5w30 Amsoil in it. It started burning oil in the last 15k. Before that I could go 10k and only add a quart to it. I had the oil light come on last 10k. Seems like this motor has a mind of it's own.

 

[EmersonHart13]

I am realizing that more and more... So maybe it is just a coincidence in timing... I just want to be sure it is just the usual because I never burned oil before.

 

[EmersonHart13]

From the ongoing discussion at:

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/ls4-front-drives-2005-2010/1315015-oil-burning-issue.html

Today I learned that Scion tCs have shitty mufflers, oh wait this isn't that forum...

In my search for the leak I found that the hose on the crankcase side of the PCV is not clamped and was part of my problem so I put a clamp on that which was a major PITA because there is no access.

The whistle noise is inside the PCV hose and it gets louder as you go towards the alternator, the noise is less prominant now that I clamped the hose onto the metal attachment point but it is still there. I used a spare piece of hose as a "mechanic's stethescope" and followed it towards the Alternator as it got louder. What is back there? I cannot see anything because of the firewall and alternator.

What could leak Vacuum underneath the alternator?

Thanks,

John

 

[EmersonHart13]

On the recommendation of Smug I cleaned the MAF again and on the drive to work today the idle was much closer to where it should be.

Going to clean the TB tonight to see if that helps, if not it is still not a bad thing.

 

[THEHKP7M13]

Anything after LS1 I believe went to only rings per piston so there is oil blow by especially if your hard on it. A lot of GOATS run catch cans because of this.

second, WWW.BOBISTHEOILGUY.COM is very insightful in the forums. You can always have your oil analyzed...and if you cannot read it have it done anyway and post your results there and the oil luminati will give you insight as to what is or isn't going on in your engine.

 

[EmersonHart13]

My catch can is working...

 

[TommyGloves]

Hey JM - Found this on CGP. Appears it is a TSB:

http://www.clubgp.com/newforum/tm.a...key=&language=single&tmode=&smode=&s=#5391033

EDIT: Congrats on walking the plank!

 

[smug]

lol that me that posted that info and I pmed it to John

 

[SilentShado]

I have an 05 ascender with the 5.3 vortec, with the DoD that goes thru oil badly. I know once the monitor hits 65% oil life left I need to add 1 1/2 quarts. If I let it go to 50% oil life there are just traces of oil on the stick. This seems a bit excessive to me. The 5.3 vortec is also a LSx engine correct?

 

[smug]

my car still burns a quart every 1200 - 1500 miles and I keep bringing back to the dealer for check up and top off lol.

 

[THEHKP7M13]

LS series rings are garbage. Its going to happen. Just keep topping off and checking ever 500 miles or so. Thats how I got a screaming deal on my GTO. It had a rod knock because the kid went 7,000 between oil changes and got on it one day with only 2 quarts in the engine. So a new engine is going into it.

 

[EmersonHart13]

Oil light came cam on today at 60 percent of oil live remaining... Gotta love it!

 

[smug]

Oil light came cam on today at 60 percent of oil live remaining... Gotta love it!

That means your down 1.5 to 2 quarts
Now, how much of that went through your catch can?