Oil leakage, or something?

[Lunatikgixxer]

Today i was driving around a bit running errands and my Low Oil light came on... So i stopped and checked the dipstick, it was REALLY low. Its done this before once about 4 months ago, and right now i am only about half way through my oil change until i get another one. How would this happen? I dont think its burning it because it doesnt smoke and i dont see any obvious signs of leakage anywhere on the ground, or visible in the engine bay or under the car.. I am pretty stumped on this right now and hope nothing major is happening. Anyone have any input?

[Cutlass]

it could be burning oil in small amounts and not smoking much or at all. I see that alot. If its constantly burning oil in small amounts, that can add up quickly. You might be able to bandaide fix that with new piston rings and valve seals.
Or a complete rebuild.

[Lunatikgixxer]

oh great just what i need lol

[02blkws6]

LS1's are known to consume oil. Put a catch can on it with new PCV lines and see if oil consumption is reduced.

[Cutlass]

^^^Good idea, I don't know why that didn't come to my mind. I went with the LS6 PCV valley cover and a catch can. It definitely catches oil, I just emptied it 2 weeks ago.

[Lunatikgixxer]

Ill be buying one soon

[SteveC]

My 2001 Z28 (28K original miles) will use up to a quart of oil every 4k miles.

SteveC

[cammed goat]

No drops where you park your car OP?

[Lunatikgixxer]

No drops where you park your car OP?

nope.. not a single one. I cant figure it out, but it does look like oil has accumlated up in front of the tranny and behind the k member, i just cant see up in there enough to find a leak or anything...

[cammed goat]

nope.. not a single one. I cant figure it out, but it does look like oil has accumlated up in front of the tranny and behind the k member, i just cant see up in there enough to find a leak or anything...

Possibly rear main seal wearing out.

[Lunatikgixxer]

ok ill try to get a closer look next time i have the car up.. Its not a bad leak like i said because it doesnt drip but there is some around that area..

[SteveC]

The LS1 engine is considered a "high compression" engine @ 10.5 to 1 (opposed to most engines that are 9 to 9.5 to 1), that alone would account for some oil consumption.

SteveC

[Lunatikgixxer]

i dont mind working on my car for hours at a time. I like learning new things and when running into problems knowing how to fix it and what route to take.. I will probably do it myself, The problem is i have no idea where this O ring is at... Is it up underneath the car in front of the tranny?? If you could get a picture it would really help a lot.

[Cutlass]

^^^you don't have that o-ring

[Smittro]

I have had that problem with the sister engine to the 3.8. There is an o-ring that goes bad, it is held in place by a single bolt. Most auto parts places have the o-rings in stock, but they are bulk type items and either the housing or old ring has to be taken in to make sure it fits right. It was a tedious job to do because of where the stinking thing is at. It is also time consuming to run to and from the parts house to find one o-ring.

So try this route, call a salvage yard and see if you can get the housing off of an engine that is no good. Take it a parts house and get the right o-ring. Take both of them to your mechanic and have them install both of them for you.
That is if you don't want to take the two hours to do it yourself. I say two hours because unless you have done it before and are used to working by feel and not sight it will take you at least that long.

^^^you don't have that o-ring

If it's what I'm thinking about it's not the 3800 either... As there are no troublesome o-rings or housings mentioned for 3800-II.. However the plastic intakes have seen thier share of problems.. Sounds more like the notorious 60* v6 o-ring problem..

[Lunatikgixxer]

^^^you don't have that o-ring

o ok got cha... well what the hell should i do lol. Its kinda annoying

[tep98ws6]

My 2001 Z28 will use up to a quart of oil every 4k miles.

my engine is freshly rebuilt 4k miles ago and mine does the same thing.

GM has a TSB about the engines consuming oil. just keep checking your oil :nod:

[Cutlass]

o ok got cha... well what the hell should i do lol. Its kinda annoying

catch can and LS6 valley cover will help minimize any oil consumption through the PCV system. If that doesn't fix it, then it piston rings and valve seals.

[Lunatikgixxer]

catch can and LS6 valley cover will help minimize any oil consumption through the PCV system. If that doesn't fix it, then it piston rings and valve seals.

ok ill try this