3.5L oil consumption, dealer says piston oil rings stuck

[jstanfie]

'99 3.5L started increased oil consumption around 50,000 miles had the add oil light come on twice between oil change. I had been using Mobil1. I now am trying Castrol High Mileage and had the oil light come on after 2000 miles, needed to add 1.5 quarts. Dealer suggested that the oil control rings can get stuck from carbon build up. GM apparently has a service bulletin on this, involves soaking rings overnight, and cost several hundred dollars.

Has anyone had success with this?

Anyone have information on doing this yourself. I am thinking of replacing the spark plugs myself and if it is not difficult I would try the ring soaking myself.

PS
found this after further searching, see the oil consumption part;

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/us/us100232.htm

http://www.caddyinfo.com/howtooilfix.htm

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/a...hp?t-4078.html

[Jimmy Olsen]

Can you post a link to the service bulletin?

[maxwedge]

Actually the dealer is required to make available the contents of the tSB if it applies to your car, they can charge you a nominal copying fee.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Originally Posted by jstanfie

'99 3.5L started increased oil consumption around 50,000 miles had the add oil light come on twice between oil change. I had been using Mobil1. I now am trying Castrol High Mileage and had the oil light come on after 2000 miles, needed to add 1.5 quarts. Dealer suggested that the oil control rings can get stuck from carbon build up. GM apparently has a service bulletin on this, involves soaking rings overnight, and cost several hundred dollars.

Has anyone had success with this?

Anyone have information on doing this yourself. I am thinking of replacing the spark plugs myself and if it is not difficult I would try the ring soaking myself.

PS
found this after further searching, see the oil consumption part;

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/us/us100232.htm

http://www.caddyinfo.com/howtooilfix.htm

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/a...hp?t-4078.html

Save yourself the time and energy and learn to live with the moderate oil consumption. Many people think that an engine burning oil is acceptable as long as the engine maintains its performance. The intrigue has a high-voltage spark so it should not affect the spark plugs. At least you know that your valves are getting plenty of lubication.

My '99 3.5L Intrigue uses oil and I top it off every month or so. If I drive it all day on a road trip I check it the next morning. No big deal.

The important thing is to change the oil every 3000 miles or 3 months to get all that combustion crud out of the engine.

[GMMerlin]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

Actually the dealer is required to make available the contents of the tSB if it applies to your car, they can charge you a nominal copying fee.

Information contained in GM TSBs is considered proprietary information.
GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle.
The dealer is not required to release the information to you.

[GMMerlin]

Originally Posted by jstanfie

'99 3.5L started increased oil consumption around 50,000 miles had the add oil light come on twice between oil change. I had been using Mobil1. I now am trying Castrol High Mileage and had the oil light come on after 2000 miles, needed to add 1.5 quarts. Dealer suggested that the oil control rings can get stuck from carbon build up. GM apparently has a service bulletin on this, involves soaking rings overnight, and cost several hundred dollars.

Has anyone had success with this?

Anyone have information on doing this yourself. I am thinking of replacing the spark plugs myself and if it is not difficult I would try the ring soaking myself.

PS
found this after further searching, see the oil consumption part;

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/us/us100232.htm

http://www.caddyinfo.com/howtooilfix.htm

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/a...hp?t-4078.html

Many factors can affect an owner's concern with oil consumption. Driving habits and vehicle maintenance vary from owner to owner.
Gasket and External Leaks
Inspect the oil pan and engine covers for leakage due to over-tightened, damaged, or out of place gaskets. Inspect oil lines and fittings for signs of leakage.

Improper Reading of the Oil Level Indicator (Dipstick)
Verify that the dipstick tube is fully seated in the block. When checking the oil level, make sure the dipstick is wiped clean before taking an oil level reading and fully depress the dipstick until the shoulder bottoms out on the dipstick tube. The dipstick should be the proper part number for the engine/vehicle that is being checked.

Not Waiting Long Enough After Running Engine to Check Oil Level
Some engines require more time than others for the oil to drain back into the crankcase. To assure a sufficient amount of oil has drained back to the crankcase, and an accurate reading can be obtained, the vehicle should be allowed to sit for at least 15 minutes, after the engine has been shut off, before taking an oil level reading. In order to ensure accurate results, the temperature of the oil should be close to the same temperature as the last time the oil level was checked.


Improper Oil Fill After an Oil Change
Following an oil change, verify that the proper amount and type of oil was put in the engine and that the oil level on the dipstick is not above the full mark or below the add marks. Refer to the Owner's Manual or Service Manual for information on recommended oil quantity, viscosity, and quality.

Aggressive Driving, High Speed or High RPM Driving
Aggressive driving and/or continuous driving at high speeds/high RPMs will increase oil consumption. Because this may not always be an everyday occurrence, it is hard to determine exactly how much the oil economy will be affected.

Towing or Heavy Usage
Towing a trailer will increase oil consumption and may cause oil consumption to fall below the normal accepted rate referenced in this bulletin for an unloaded vehicle in a personal use application. Large frontal area trailers will further increase the work required from the engine, especially at highway speeds, and thus increases the rate of oil consumption.

Crankcase Ventilation System
Verify that the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system is operating properly. Blockages, restrictions, or damage to the PCV system can result in increased oil use.

Oil Dilution (Fuel and Water)
On vehicles that are usually driven short distances, less than 8 km (5 mi), especially in colder weather, unburned fuel and condensation generated from cold engine operation may not get hot enough to evaporate out of the oil. When this occurs, the dipstick may indicate that the oil level is over-full. Subsequent driving on a trip of sufficient length to enable normal engine operating temperature for 30 minutes or more, in order to vaporize excess moisture and fuel, may give the customer the impression of excessive oil consumption.

Engine Temperature
If an engine is run at overheated temperatures (see Owner's Manual or Service Manual) for more than brief periods, oil will oxidize at a faster than normal rate. In addition, gaskets may distort, piston rings may stick, and excessive wear may result. Verify that all cooling system components are in proper working order.

Engine Wear
Piston scuffing, excessive piston-to-wall clearance, tapered or out of round cylinders, worn, damaged or improperly installed valve guides, seals and piston rings will all cause an increase in oil consumption.