2008 GP GXP-Oil Fouled Spark Plug-Twice!

My 2008 Grand Prix GXP has had the same trouble twice already. #1 spark plug needed replacement exactly one year ago, and now again today. Mechanic said it is "oil-fouled" and oil enters the engine cylinder. The GM dealer wants to monitor my oil usage - by me having to bring my car in frequently for an oil check every 1,000 miles, just what I want to do on my Saturday mornings. He said GM is "working on a fix" for an issue with the "V8's with active fuel management" engines. Lucky me, now I feel like I've bought a lemon. Anyone else know about this issue?

What are the symptoms?

Did you have a misfire? Was there a code? Original owner?

This covered by 5yr/100K warranty?

Are you driving the vehicle and it is misfiring?

Oil fouled twice...did they remove the valve cover and check the valve stem seals?

Keep me updated in regards to your progress at the dealer. Feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions in the meantime. Thank you.

Tricia, GM Customer Service.

What are the symptoms?

Did you have a misfire? Was there a code? Original owner?

This covered by 5yr/100K warranty?

Are you driving the vehicle and it is misfiring?

Oil fouled twice...did they remove the valve cover and check the valve stem seals?

Hello Tech II. I am the original owner. Symptoms are: engine runs very rough on start and also runs rough when accellerating (is that the misfire you are speaking of?), and burning smell coming from engine. Check Engine light went on first flashing, then on solid. Dealer found code P0300. Found #1 spark plug oil fouled. Found oil level 2 qts low (but it's not even due for an oil change.) Mechanic topped off oil level with regular oil - even though i've only had oil changes with synthetic oil, and that should've been on our record there. I told him about it, and his reply was mixing oil types won't hurt.

I didn't know enough to ask if they removed the valve cover and check the valve stem seals, I will call tomorrow and ask if they did that. I guess it is covered by the Warranty, they did not charge me. But on my receipt it says I declined some recommended services - that they did not even discuss with me! All they discussed was the known engine issue, and to put my car on the oil consumption study. Thanks for your response, I'll let you know what I find out. I left a message for him today, but he did not call me back :mad:

Thank you! I'll keep you posted.

So after the 1,000 miles I took it back to the dealer for the 'oil consumption study'. It was 1 quart low, which they made me pay for a quart of oil. I thought this meant it was burning too much oil, but the tech said 'it's not unusual for it to be a quart low'. Seriously?

In the old days a quart of oil per 1000 miles was common. Today with better machining and metal alloys a quart of oil per 1K miles is unusual. If you are fouling plugs then there is something else going on with this engine. Valve seals can be the issue but with only one plug fouling I wonder why you are getting multiple misfires. I had a 2.8 with 200000 miles that didn't use a quart in 2500 miles so I think your problem may be more serious.

If the dealer continues to fail to dig deeper I would contact GM Customer Service to see if they can come up with a better solution for your car. Especially since your warranty is running and may run out before the dealer comes up with a solution.

You have an oil consumption problem.....

this is an old TSB:

Bulletin No.: 01-06-01-011E

Date: December 18, 2008

Subject:
Information on Engine Oil Consumption Guidelines

Models:
1998-2009 GM Passenger Cars and Gasoline Powered Light Duty Trucks Under 8500 LB GVW (Including Saturn)

2003-2009 HUMMER H2
2006-2009 HUMMER H3
2005-2009 Saab 9-7X

Supercede:

This bulletin is being revised to update model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 01-06-01-011D (Section 06 - Engine/Propulsion System).

All engines require oil to lubricate and protect the load bearing and internal moving parts from wear including cylinder walls, pistons and piston rings. When a piston moves down its cylinder, a thin film of oil is left on the cylinder wall. During the power stroke, part of this oil layer is consumed in the combustion process. As a result, varying rates of oil consumption are accepted as normal in all engines.

Oil Consumption

The accepted rate of oil consumption for engines used in the vehicles referenced is 0.946 liter (1 qt) in 3200 km (2000 mi).



They had the nerve to charge you for a quart of oil, under a warranty claim? The tech is bullshitting you....one quart in 1K miles is not acceptable.....

Okay so another 1,000 miles has gone by. The engine started acting up again last Saturday. The car was shaking, rumbling, running very rough. Check engine light was flashing. Then the next day it ran fine. I took it to the dealer for the 1,000 mile oil consumption study, to check on the engine problem, and for an oil change. They said I have an 'oil-fouled spark plug' again (third time). But this time, they said GM just came out with a solution for this engine problem. They will put in new pistons and rings. Ordering parts from Canada. Then it will take a few days to fix the engine. They wanted to send me home today with the unreliable car, and then have me bring it back when the parts come in. I voiced my opinion about the safety of myself and my family while driving this unreliable vehicle on the busy roads during this holiday season. Now GM is paying for my rental car starting today. I left my car at the dealer.

Poor dealership etiquette......should have given you a loaner from the start.....

Agree. I am thankful that GM has finally decided upon a solution to the engine problem and are going to correct it. I really like this car - when it runs properly. My husband thinks this engine is precisely why there are many used 2008 GP GXP's sitting in used car lots today. I read somewhere that the 2009 engine of this same type was 'improved'.

I am glad that you are being taken care of, deb0704us. Thank you for continuing to update us on the situation with your GXP.

Sarah
GM Customer Service