Is Your Gmt-900 Truck Or Suv Using Oil

Folically Challengjed · April 27, 2012

I've been searching the net for a while, trying to find evidence that new pistons & rings are a lasting "fix".

I bought my '07 Yukon XL with a tad over 40K miles on it, as GM Certified Used. I noticed it would use ½ qt. or so between oil changes, & that surprised me: I had a '00 Yukon XL that burned ½ qt. total in 186K miles.

My story was like most others here. It progressed like this:

* dealer denying there's a problem, since 1 qt in 2K miles is the new "normal"

* consumption finally meeting the threshhold to do something about it

* Fix leaking oil pan gasket & leaking rear seal

* Install AFM valve shield & do the Top Engine Cleaner soak

* New Heads

* New Pistons/Rings.

It's finally held oil for 1,600 miles. I'm now at 77K miles, & they said they're going to honor the 100K powertrain warranty, regardless of when the 5 year in-serve date cutoff would be (7/30/12).

However, I'm having a crisis of confidence. Can they really pull the engine out of the truck 3 times and get it back together correctly? When pulling the heads, they gave it back to me with an exhaust leak on the left bank. When they fixed the rear seal, they didn't put the steering box back on correctly, resulting in my having to get it towed back in to them. Also, can they pull the engine apart this often, & get it back together such that it will last another 150K miles? Heck, if the engine fails within the next 23K miles, & they go ahead & replace it, will the new engine exhibit the same problems?

I've owned GM products all my life, and I bought this one because I was so thrilled with the '00 Yukon XL I had. But there's a really big part of me that says I should move this truck to another owner while it's still shiny & seemingly runs well. The problem on this truck didn't start showing 'til > 40K miles, and waiting another 40K to see if this "fix" has worked, will put me way out of the warranty.

So, is there anyone here with 10K or more miles logged post piston replacement? How's your engine doing so far?

Thanks in advance,

Folically Challenged

Edited April 27, 2012 by Folically Challengjed

6Sixathome · April 28, 2012

I've had the sheild put in the oil pan, updated valve cover installed, new lifters (for start up tick, not oil consumption) installed and mine still uses a little oil, more so with synthetic than Dino, but anyhow I just assume to put some oil in instead of doing major engine surgery again and it runs so well right now with the DoD off and the 87 Diablo tune. That's just me, others will think different.

mtiffinal · May 12, 2012

I am 4000 miles past the piston replacement and have used 3/4 quart. Maybe this is normal after the work performed, but a little more time will tell.

Until the next time.........

6Sixathome · May 13, 2012

3/4 qt in 4K, I think your on the right track. Mine is probably more tha that, hard to tell because I change the oil based on time instead of miles. I live 4 miles from our business and really don't do any long distance driving and I live in town so my engine is going to use more oil from the harsher conditions anyway. Unless mine really starts to go through oil, I'm just going to let it be...it runs so sweet and smooth now.

jerseydrew · May 21, 2012

250 miles since piston/ring fix and doing well except for a scare today. i was at a buddy's house yesterday and he called me and asked if i was leaking oil (all over his driveway). i checked and sure enough i was. under closer inspection, it turns out the oil filter was barely snug and leaking. i cleaned it off with a little brake clean and turned it on tight. i will have to check the oil after warming it up tomorrow but i think all is still well and no oil light on yet.

JackedBeaver · May 22, 2012

Just got the new pistons/rings/deflector shield done on the weekend. Also had a transmission flush done at the same time. Since getting it back runs smooth for the most part. However, it no longer idles smoothly. It drops from 500rpm to 450 and then back to 500rpm over and over when idling in park or in drive. I can feel and hear a small "kick" or "buck" when it happens. It never used to to this so I am a little concerned. Any ideas what it could be? Or is this normal with new Pistons?

nfisherman · May 22, 2012

My '08 Yukon XL 5.3L aluminum block has been using oil for a long time. I aborted one oil consumption test at about 75,000 miles because I had to take a long road trip. I decided to follow up and my dealer has been great about things. He explained that GM requires him to go through a process to determine what needs to be done. I completed and failed a consumption test by using 4 quarts in 2,500 miles. He explained that he had to first try to change the valve cover that had the integrated PCV valve. He did that and I had another consumption test - same result. Next, I had to pay for an engine flush - $90 for the flush plus an oil change. The flush was supposed to free potentially stuck piston rings. I did that and failed another consumption test. There was no debate after that. The dealer told me that he'd order the parts and I should bring it in today. My Yukon is in the shop now getting the overhaul at 96,000 miles. I hope this fixes it.

nycplumber · May 23, 2012

Gentlemen & Ladies:

I bought a used 2009 Silverado, 5.3 engine, non-AFM with 42k miles on it in June 2011. I had free oil changes at my dealer and took advantage of it when ever the oil usage idiot light was low about 15-10% life. Two oil changes I never bothered to check dipstichk myself. about 6 months ago I decided to check oil and the dipstick was dry and I was about 5000 into last oil change. Added 3 qts of oil and called the dealer. I told them I had to put it in cuz i didnt want to blow engine they said i shouldn't have??? I guess so that they could see it themselves. Made an appt to get the deflector service done. They asked me to come in at 2k to check consumption. I came back in March and they said that the level was within GM standards. uh oh,that verbiage threw up a red flag. needless to say 3000 miles later down 3 qts again. presently truck is in for new rings and pistons. its day 2 and I've got a 2008 Malibu loaner car. My kids hate it and so do I.

Hopefully this will do the trick.

BTW: I cant get better than 12-13 mpg on highway??

Ted

Folically Challengjed · May 24, 2012

I just crossed 3K miles since the piston/ring replacement, and haven't burned a drop of oil yet. I'm crossing my fingers that it lasts.

FC

downtime · May 29, 2012

Just bought an 07 yukon 3 weeks ago, with 93k miles on it. Over the weekend, while I was at the beach 130 miles away from home, the low oil light comes on at 95k miles. I checked the oil and it was at the bottom of the dipstick. I looked over the truck and couldnt find any leaks. I got on the internet and found out this was a common problem with the 5.3l engines.

I took the truck to the dealer this morning, they said they would fix it under the 100k powertrain warranty. I had the oil changed, and they started the consumption test. So, we will see how this goes.

6Sixathome · May 30, 2012

What exactly are they doing to it for the fix?

downtime · May 30, 2012

What exactly are they doing to it for the fix?

If your asking me, They're going to see how much oil it is using during this test and then go from there. The service manager told me today that they may put a kit in it or replace the pistons/ rings.

I'm probably going to cut this truck loose pretty soon and get back into a Sierra with a 6.2l, I hope.

Everywhere dealer around the south has lots of trucks/ suvs sitting on their lots. I'm hoping we'll see some nice incentives in the next few months.

boringwhitetruck · June 7, 2012

Just picked mine up tonight. New slugs, rings and lifters. And a crap ton of bolts and gaskets.

They tried the AFM shield. It didn't help. My last trip to Ohio and back was 850 miles with a 5600 pound camper and I almost burned a full quart.

Have been losing 1- 1.5 between oil changes.

Time will tell. Hope this fixes it!!!

manders500 · June 7, 2012

Hey I've been checking on this post for a while now and thought I should share my oil issues. I own a 2007 gmc Sierra that I bought used that consumed oil the day I got it. I've been through the PVC valve,valve cover fix, deflector shield,lifters all of witch had no fix. So last month they decided that the problem was the rings so they changed the pistons and rings. I had hope when the service manager told me the oil rings were collapsed from excessive carbon build up. The bad rings were in the cylinders that shut down during afm. Well long story short 3000 miles later low oil light comes on wtf. When I bring it in they said it was only down 1.5 quarts so I ask how they came to that conclusion. Their answer was they refill the truck with oil until its full.I asked them what they considered full,they said the top of the marks on the dipstick. If anyone has been through this and checked their oil after a dealer service you will notice that when they change your it's normally a half inch obove the marks.basically they put 6 quarts and don't bother checking the actuall level. The dealer really didn't know what to say because now the actuall loss was 2.5. After a long talk they have agreed to replace the engine. My last truck was an 02 silver ado with 250k that maybe burnt a half quart at 5000 miles acceptable.they also didn't want to admit the reason booth catalytic converters and 02 sensors were from the oil burning needless to say there getting replaced too. Thanks

I have a 2007 Sierra with AFM that gave me a low oil warning at 78% oil life and at 64%. I took it to the dealer to begin the oil consumption test and because of your post I checked the oil once I got back to work and sure enough a half inch above the highest mark. I called the dealer and informed them and now I have to take it back so they can drain the oil. This could have been a problem since this is during the test and after a 1000 miles it would have consumed the normal quart but they would not see it that way since it would have been a half inch up the marks. Also in the owner’s manual it indicates that it could cause severe damage to the engine it the oil level is above the highest mark. I am not sure how serious that high of oil level really could be but I would think a dealership should follow GM's own warnings.

GMCustomerService · June 8, 2012

I have a 2007 Sierra with AFM that gave me a low oil warning at 78% oil life and at 64%. I took it to the dealer to begin the oil consumption test and because of your post I checked the oil once I got back to work and sure enough a half inch above the highest mark. I called the dealer and informed them and now I have to take it back so they can drain the oil. This could have been a problem since this is during the test and after a 1000 miles it would have consumed the normal quart but they would not see it that way since it would have been a half inch up the marks. Also in the owner’s manual it indicates that it could cause severe damage to the engine it the oil level is above the highest mark. I am not sure how serious that high of oil level really could be but I would think a dealership should follow GM's own warnings.

I am sorry to hear about your experience with your dealer. I would be happy to look into this for you. Please contact me privately with more information. Thank you in advance.

Tricia, GM Customer Service.