2007 avalanche oil consumption

[Irate1]

I bought a new 07 avalanche 2 years ago with the 5.3 flex fuel v8. at 28,000 miles the add engine oil warning came on right at 3,000 miles since last oil change. I thought maybe they put 5 qts instead of 6 at the place I got the oil changed at so I took it some where else and had the same result. I took it to the dealer and started oil consumption test at about 34,000 miles. The add engine oil comes on between every oil change earlier every time. I now have 49,000 miles and the add engine came on at 2,400 miles.at 3,000 miles it was down 1.9 qts. I called chevy customer service and they had a zone rep. call me and tell that this was within the normal oil consumption guidlines. between my wife and I we have purchased 6 new vehicles from GM and put up to 150,0000 miles on some and none of them blew oil. This is not normal. If GM is not going to stand behind there product then they are going to loose a loyal customer.

[linton23]

Our guideline on oil consumption is 1.5 quarts between oil changes. I have not seen much but we have had a suburban burn oil at 2.5 quarts between changes GM ended up putting a new engine in it.

[Irate1]

The dealer gave me a revised bulletin (document ID# 2222953) dated Jan.13,2009 saying that the accepted rate was 1qt. in 2,000 miles. I wonder what it was before. it should be based on when I bought it not what they changed it to to cover there own rear end. the add engine oil warning comes on when its down 1qt. and so far the closest has been 2,400 miles but its getting worse but when you blow oil you foul your spark plugs and damage your catyletc coverter.I saw on a chevy avalanche fan club web site that other people are having the same problem. Chevy needs to fix there defect or they won't have any customers left.

[dr.gizmo]

The 1 Quart per 2,000 miles with normal driving patterns has been GM's standard for as long as I remember. Every time the bulletin is updated for information or to add a model year it gets a new date and letter at the end of the bulletins number. Based on your oil usage it does not not sound abnormal to me. There would be many other signs if you were burning enough to damage other parts. Relax and enjoy your ride.

[MrCritical]

So you had zero oil consumption till 28k and then it started?

Any mods?

The ones that we've had that have used a quart between changes have used it from when they were brand new. Same brand and wt. oil?

[FanOfDurant]

All of our GM V8 engines ranging from 1997-2009 use anywhere from 1-2 quarts per 3k mile oil change intervals. I make sure they are checked at 1500 miles like clockwork. It's almost guaranteed 1 quart of oil will need to be added. At 3k, they'll be another quart low. (Edited): I'll add, none of them leak oil and none of them blow any smoke. It just kinda disappears....

[Irate1]

If you buy a truck for 37,000 dollars + tax and you change your oil every 3,000 miles. you should not have to be concerned about running out of oil. I changed my own oil for many years (untill it got hard to dispose of ) I drained the oil into 1 gallon jugs= 4qts and there was always more oil left allmost another qt. my 2000 silverado and my 2003 trailblazer did not burn or leak any oil. I have a 37,000 dollar truck that burns oil worse than any beater I have ever owned. so make all the excuses you want. but some of the 2007 avalanche engines are defective. there is a GM internal memo out there that states that they will not have a fix untill 2010. With GM closing so many dealerships many have lost there loyalty to GM. I should have that memo soon. If they do not fix my truck I will post it on the internet! I am not the only one with this problem. go to [url]www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?topic=109254,0;all

[Irate1]

If you buy a vehicle and you can't go 3,000 miles after an oil change and be warned to add engine oil it is not normal,acceptable or within anyones guidelines except the ones who are responsible to fix it. GM will not recall unless it is a safety issue. please email me @ ironwerker63@gmail.com if you are having the same problem.

[73ChevelleSS]

You can complain all you want.The fact is your vehicle falls within GM's oil consumption guidelines.It does not matter if you think it is not normal.Oil usage depends on driving habits,engine run time,etc...If there are no leaks,and no oil blowing out the exhaust it is normal.Stop crying and change your oil every 3k miles.

[MrCritical]

I'd like to add that it isn't just GM's oil consumption standard, pretty much accepted industry wide....check with Ford and Dodge.

[dr.gizmo]

No matter what you want the laws of physics cannot be broken. The cylinder walls need a coating of oil or the pistons would seize in a few minutes. Every time a spark ignites the fuel mixture a small amount of oil gets burned, also the vacuum in the intake system will pull a small amount of oil into the cylinder where it gets burned. If the engine is run at higher RPM (over 3,000) it burns more, also harsh decell can cause oil consumption. All engines burn oil they teach you that in tech school. In the engines that appear to not burn oil it is just that combustion byproducts are getting mixed in the oil over time and make it appear that the oil level is not dropping. That is why we need to change oil because the combustion by products and heat degrade the oil additives. To me, getting upset because you need to spend a couple of bucks on a quart of oil every 2,000 miles seems a little silly. If the Service Engine Soon light is not on, there is no smoke blowing out the back, and there are no leaks I would not worry about it. How much money would you want to spend fixing a non-problem on your engine to save $3 every month or so?

[Irate1]

If its 1qt after 28,000 1.5qt after 35,000 and 1.9 after 48,000 then whats it going to be after 68,000 or 100,000? I put a 150,000 miles on my silverado and I drove it the same way I drive this one. I have a friend who was a mechanic for chevy for 20 years untill opening his own shop and he says thats not normal oil consumtion. I was talking to a guy with a 07 tahoe with the same engine same miles and he goes 6,000 miles between oil changes and his add engine oil warning has never came on.The service manager said they have problems with some of the 07 avalanches and GM has no fix they tried rings and valve seals and they still blow oil.

[FanOfDurant]

Well, at least you don't have the piston slap... Now That would be something that would upset me if I dropped 40 grand on a new truck. A quart of oil, not so much. I do understand your frustration though.. And if it bothers you then hey, I guess pursue a remedy until you're satisfied. I will say this, I've ran Chevy small blocks forever, all generations. I've found it slightly odd that these newer motors (from about 1994 and up) use a little extra oil.

On the flip side, I've also noticed how much longer these engines are lasting in comparison to older motors. When we're pulling 300k plus miles out of a gasoline motor, I'm pretty impressed. I saw a Casino freight van yesterday that had over 600k original miles and was still running like new. It had the 6.0 in it. It seems like these engines run a little 'loose' for whatever reason, like a well worn in motor. I think the oil is getting where it needs to be vs. a really tight motor. There's definitely a few issues that need to be addressed on the Generation 5 motors coming up. I hope GM has all of their ducks in a row on this new engine. Especially with the piston slap nonsense.

[nailhead425]

There are many factors that can cause/contribute to oil consumption.
First, has anyone changed the PCV valve? Do that. Next, with thinner oil, such as 5W20, the oil consumption rate increases because the oil is thinner and more likely to become an aresol. Low tension rings, a ring that it stuck and not rotating, excessive bore wear, etc. If you have no smoke you're okay. Your oil consumption, while irritating, is in-line. Your vehicle, or the others with the same problem, don't warrant a recall. They should be handled on a case-by-case basis. The statement that there isn't a fix until 2010 is bogus. Engines are pretty well figured out, if your engine has a problem the fix is a new or rebuilt engine.

I'd advise that you change the oil and then immediately take your truck for a long road trip. Get the oil good and hot and keep it that way for a few hours. Get some good full-throttle, heavy load, blasts on it once the oil is nice and hot and see if that helps. That is, after replacing the PCV valve.

[dr.gizmo]

Another thing to ask, are you waiting 10-20 minutes after stopping the engine and parking on a level surface when you check your oil? Ignoring both of those steps can lead to false readings.