Low Oil Level

**Knight** · 09-24-2011, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Deviant LS1

Most LS1s burn oil. I would get use to it.

This is not a true statement.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 09-24-2011, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Knight

This is not a true statement.

Agree. My low oil light has never came on since I've owned my car. Granted I only have 23,000 miles on mine now, but I do drive it aggressively.

**Knight** · 09-24-2011, 02:42 PM

Same here. I'm at around 58k on the odometer. Never had the oil light come on, never had to add oil.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 09-24-2011, 02:59 PM

I'm at around 3,000 miles on my set-up with the Procharger. I'll be changing the oil within the next (2) weeks probably. I'll post in here exactly how much I have when I drain it.

**thor2001TA** · 09-24-2011, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

Now do a catch can and it will help keep what little oil that still get's by the PCV from getting into the intake.

Prior to doing the LS6 VCT I was like you, once a month my low oil light would come on and I would have to add about 3/4 of a quart. It's been about 8 months and have had no oil lights or issues. I've drained the catch can 2 times in this period and have only gotten about a 1/3 of a measuring cup the first time and a 1/4 of a cup the last time.

Did you check the PCV like we asked?

PCV still looks good. Good to know you have had no issues after 8 months. I am hoping this is the case for me.

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

I'm at around 3,000 miles on my set-up with the Procharger. I'll be changing the oil within the next (2) weeks probably. I'll post in here exactly how much I have when I drain it.

Cool, it'll be interesting to see what you come up with.

**Nowhereman** · 09-24-2011, 06:17 PM

I've had my low oil light come on a few times.
This LS1 uses oil and I believe it's the rear main seal.
I cleaned it up and went to RP and the 2nd generation PCV valve.
Now, I use just a little oil and seepage from the bell housing is minimal.

**blackcar** · 09-26-2011, 07:29 AM

To the people that are using oil: How much are you putting in, what brand, what filter?

**Nowhereman** · 09-26-2011, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by blackcar

To the people that are using oil: How much are you putting in, what brand, what filter?

For me, I use K&N filters, RP 5/40 and I will changeout six quarts.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 09-26-2011, 08:35 AM

5.5 quarts of Pennzoil Platinum with an AC Delco truck filter.

**blackcar** · 09-26-2011, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

5.5 quarts of Pennzoil Platinum with an AC Delco truck filter.

Have you been burning or using oil?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 09-26-2011, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by blackcar

Have you been burning or using oil?

My low-level oil light has never came on and I've went as long as 5K miles on an oil change. I think that time I was maybe 1/2 quart low and I drive my car pretty aggressively when I do take it out, since it's only about 1-2 times a week and only for about an hour or two at a time. I usually change it every 3K miles though. In years past, that meant only 1 oil change per season.

I've never had smoke or seen smoke coming from the tailpipes. I've also never smelled oil burning.

I will be changing the oil in it really soon. I will measure how much I drain this time and report back. Probably next weekend.

I do not have any oil leaks anywhere.

When does the low-level oil light come on? Anyone?

**blackcar** · 09-26-2011, 11:45 AM

My oil light came on one time about 9 years ago. I don't remember how much I had to add I just remember it was more than 1qt to get it to full.

I said "use oil" earlier but I meant "burn oil" I was asking about the guys who "burn" oil and or get low oil light what they were doing. Hoping to find something in common among them. For ex. only 5 qts in at a fill-up. By the book you are only 1/2 qt low and that should be fine. I did that with my first oil change. Before I changed my oil again at 5,000 miles the low oil light came on. Since then I've put 5.5 and driven harded and a little longer and never had the light on again.

**Firebirdjones** · 09-26-2011, 12:14 PM

Wow, there seems to be alot of oil users on here. We go 3,000 miles between oil changes on our 4th gens and it's never been more than 1/2 quart low after all that time. We don't have any PCV mods or anything.
My used 6.0 I installed in the blazer hasn't used a drop of oil, at all.
I wouldn't know anything about the low oil lights, I've never seen one come on. I've had a habit over the years to check oil in all the cars every few weeks anyway just to stay on top of things in case a problem were to occur.

**thor2001TA** · 09-26-2011, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by blackcar

My oil light came on one time about 9 years ago. I don't remember how much I had to add I just remember it was more than 1qt to get it to full.

When my light came on (see post 1) i was about 2 qts low.

**Firebirdjones** · 09-26-2011, 12:35 PM

Damn!!! Do you guys every check your oil at all?? 2 quarts low??

**wileyCoyote** · 09-26-2011, 07:26 PM

OP, are you sure you don't see any blueish smoke from the exhaust???... i mean wouldn't 2 quarts (assuming no leaks) would have to be going out the exhaust right?...

**Firebirdjones** · 09-26-2011, 07:38 PM

I'd say it has to be going somewhere.

The problem with exhaust smoke is that having catalytic converters tends to burn alot of that off before it exits, so it could very well be burning oil and it's just hard to detect, Asssuming he still has cats on the car.

But I agree, only 2500 miles and it already used 2 quarts of oil means it's using oil excessively. More than likely worn valve guides and/or seals. The PCV system wouldn't suck that much unless the rings were worn creating excessive blow by.

Personally I'd pull the entire PCV system and see how wet it is inside. Then I'd do a leak down test and find out where it's all going.

**denegrader** · 10-21-2011, 03:41 PM

Well experiencing same thing with mine 2001 z28 6 speed with only 74,000 miles it was leaking some .n ow no more leak just uses about 1/2 quart in 400 miles, i figured these ls1's use oil just like my 5.0 yeah

Originally Posted by Deviant LS1

Most LS1s burn oil. I would get use to it. My old motor I would have to add 1/2qt every three weeks or so.

**wileyCoyote** · 10-24-2011, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by denegrader

Well experiencing same thing with mine 2001 z28 6 speed with only 74,000 miles it was leaking some .n ow no more leak just uses about 1/2 quart in 400 miles, i figured these ls1's use oil just like my 5.0 yeah

denegrader, did you get your rear main seal fixed?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 10-24-2011, 07:26 PM

I don't know how many miles I had on this last oil change, but I checked it last weekend and I was about 1/2 quart low. I am guessing I am at about 4,500 miles on this oil. Still looked clean. I added the 1/2 quart because I will just change the oil before I store it for the winter now. Only going to have a few more days I can take it out probably.