Add engine oil!!!

Rick Schleicher · November 9, 2022

Hey all,

First post so go easy

2021 2500HD 6.6 liter gas with 18k miles total, just got back from 7 weeks on the road pulling a 30' travel trailer, 4500 mile trip and found the oil over 2 Qts low when we got home. No light, ran like a champ

Called the dealer today and they said and I quote, "according to GMC, 1 Qt every 1,000 miles is acceptable". After a few mins of me complaining, new tech engine, no light... he said it sounds like it's time for an oil consumption test. It goes in next Monday for a fresh oil change

Using Castrol 5-30 Full Synthetic

Seems pretty high, thoughts?

Truston Gunter · November 9, 2022

As explained earlier in the post, its based on fuel consumption not mileage. I too however thought it was excessive but still within the limits of their service bulletin. I planned on doing a oil test and COMPLETELY forgot about it until this post notification popped in my email and I just changed the oil 2 days ago........ go figure. Couple of questions I have for you is how fast do you tow? travel trailer weight? do you lock out the over drive gears? The trailer I pull is 7500 lbs and I usually keep it in 4th which equates to 3K RPMS going 75MPH. In my opinion its not the weight of the travel trailer but the size of the front cap that acts like a sail and catches all the wind. Sometimes on flat stretches with no wind I can cruise in 5th at 2200 RPM and get better mileage. This equates to real crappy mpg's to the tune of 6mpg which is high fuel consumption. Yes I could get closer to 8 or even 10 if I slow down to 60-65 but the truck and trailer pulls effortlessly and in no way to I feel like its unsafe. I sure some will disagree. Long story short, your oil usage seems "normal" when compared to my experience.

Another JR · November 10, 2022

Another data point for comparison:

2021 GMC 3500hd gas cclb srw

7200 total miles on the truck, changed oil at 300 miles and 3750 miles so far, next change planned at 7500 miles. I have a 2000 lbs popup camper mounted in the bed that I only remove for maintenance. No towing of significance, so fairly light duty.

At 3450 miles since the last oil change, no oil added since, I just checked the level with a completely cold engine and it is still at the very top of the range on the dipstick. So apparently no measurable oil burned or otherwise lost in 3450 miles.

Pryme · November 10, 2022

2 hours ago, Another JR said:

Another data point for comparison:

2021 GMC 3500hd gas cclb srw

7200 total miles on the truck, changed oil at 300 miles and 3750 miles so far, next change planned at 7500 miles. I have a 2000 lbs popup camper mounted in the bed that I only remove for maintenance. No towing of significance, so fairly light duty.

At 3450 miles since the last oil change, no oil added since, I just checked the level with a completely cold engine and it is still at the very top of the range on the dipstick. So apparently no measurable oil burned or otherwise lost in 3450 miles.

I thought my 1st change at 800 miles was quick. Figured it’s cheap insurance.

question,

did you bring your truck in for the free “1st oil change service, rotation”?

if so, did you have them do it on that second change? Or never?

Another JR · November 10, 2022

I was planning to do a first oil change at around 1000 miles. However, a couple of days after i took delivery I crawled under the truck to plan installation of my camper power cables, and I noticed the oil filter had a dent in it, I’m guessing from the truck portion of the shipping. It was probably nowhere near enough of a dent to internally leak, but why wonder? I asked the dealer to change it and they did it readily under warranty. I suspect they would have also done the next change for free but I didn’t ask them because I was past 12 months, wanted to use my preferred oil type, and it’s easy for me to do.

I’m doing my first tire rotation soon at about 7500 miles. I have the equipment to do it myself.

Pryme · November 10, 2022

When I did mine I realized a straight funnel is not gonna cut it for this truck. The angle of the valve cover makes it very difficult with a straight funnel so I just picked this right angle one from lisle. This should make filling so much easier. Also picked up that filter wrench for 6 bucks. I go hand right but on occasion it’s nice to have a proper fitting filter wrench.

Another JR · November 10, 2022

Yes, thanks for the reminder about needing to get a long flexible or bent funnel of some type. I made do with a plain funnel and vinyl tubing I had around last time, but it was awkward and slow, and I need to get something better.

I added a picture of the dented oil filter that was on the truck at delivery.

Pryme · November 11, 2022

34 minutes ago, Another JR said:

Yes, thanks for the reminder about needing to get a long flexible or bent funnel of some type. I made do with a plain funnel and vinyl tubing I had around last time, but it was awkward and slow, and I need to get something better.

I added a picture of the dented oil filter that was on the truck at delivery.

Yeah I used a flexible one I had too with a clear tube but like yours, it was so slow and took longer to fill the 8qts than drop the oil and filter. This lisle should be great and was amazed to see made in USA on it.

64BAwagon · November 11, 2022

The problem with the dent on any filter is that it creates a weak spot in the can and has a higher risk of a leak

Rick Schleicher · November 11, 2022

On 11/9/2022 at 6:52 AM, Truston Gunter said:

As explained earlier in the post, its based on fuel consumption not mileage. I too however thought it was excessive but still within the limits of their service bulletin. I planned on doing a oil test and COMPLETELY forgot about it until this post notification popped in my email and I just changed the oil 2 days ago........ go figure. Couple of questions I have for you is how fast do you tow? travel trailer weight? do you lock out the over drive gears? The trailer I pull is 7500 lbs and I usually keep it in 4th which equates to 3K RPMS going 75MPH. In my opinion its not the weight of the travel trailer but the size of the front cap that acts like a sail and catches all the wind. Sometimes on flat stretches with no wind I can cruise in 5th at 2200 RPM and get better mileage. This equates to real crappy mpg's to the tune of 6mpg which is high fuel consumption. Yes I could get closer to 8 or even 10 if I slow down to 60-65 but the truck and trailer pulls effortlessly and in no way to I feel like its unsafe. I sure some will disagree. Long story short, your oil usage seems "normal" when compared to my experience.

Hello again

Towing speeds for the first 7 weeks was 59-61 on cruise. The last 2 days we drove 1100 miles so speeds were up quite a bit. 70-75 is very comfortable for this rig, but I don't do it generally, wanted to get home that's for sure.

We pull a 30TT, Gran Design Imagine, don't have exact weight but it's not maxed out

I don't do anything to "lock out the over drive gears", not sure I understand what you are referring to actually. If you mean to move to manual and run in 4th, no I don't do that.

If I did my rough math right, 4500 miles, let's say average 7mpg (when pulling on a good day I get 8.5), that's 643 gals of fuel and I put in 2.5 Qts, that would be 1 Qt every 257 gals of fuel. Seems way below what the service bulletin seems to state.

Couple questions here (yes I will ask the dealer when it goes in on Monday)

* Why is the dealer wanting to do a consumption test with these numbers (he never asked about gals used, nor did he tell me about the service bulletin)

* For the test, he said it needs to be brought in every 1k miles, if they go by gals, why use miles for the test?

Rick

Another JR · November 12, 2022

14 hours ago, 64BAwagon said:

The problem with the dent on any filter is that it creates a weak spot in the can and has a higher risk of a leak

Agreed, although I was more concerned about internal bypassing of the filter media with that particular dent.

Edited November 12, 2022 by Another JR

Truston Gunter · November 12, 2022

6 hours ago, Rick Schleicher said:

Hello again

Towing speeds for the first 7 weeks was 59-61 on cruise. The last 2 days we drove 1100 miles so speeds were up quite a bit. 70-75 is very comfortable for this rig, but I don't do it generally, wanted to get home that's for sure.

We pull a 30TT, Gran Design Imagine, don't have exact weight but it's not maxed out

I don't do anything to "lock out the over drive gears", not sure I understand what you are referring to actually. If you mean to move to manual and run in 4th, no I don't do that.

If I did my rough math right, 4500 miles, let's say average 7mpg (when pulling on a good day I get 8.5), that's 643 gals of fuel and I put in 2.5 Qts, that would be 1 Qt every 257 gals of fuel. Seems way below what the service bulletin seems to state.

Couple questions here (yes I will ask the dealer when it goes in on Monday)

* Why is the dealer wanting to do a consumption test with these numbers (he never asked about gals used, nor did he tell me about the service bulletin)

* For the test, he said it needs to be brought in every 1k miles, if they go by gals, why use miles for the test?

Rick

Please keep up posted what your dealer says. I have little to no faith with my local dealers. Always, always, always have a rough time dealing with them. We too pull a Grand design imagine. GREAT trailer!!!! We have been very happy with it. Glad to hear I'm not the only one traveling the "speed limit". Someday we may step into the land of 5th wheels. Gonna have to get a second job lol

64BAwagon · November 12, 2022

7 hours ago, Truston Gunter said:

Please keep up posted what your dealer says. I have little to no faith with my local dealers. Always, always, always have a rough time dealing with them. We too pull a Grand design imagine. GREAT trailer!!!! We have been very happy with it. Glad to hear I'm not the only one traveling the "speed limit". Someday we may step into the land of 5th wheels. Gonna have to get a second job lol

We sold our 2600RB Imagine in spring 2020 and ordered a Reflection 337RLS. We had the trailer well before the new truck, actually had to ask a friend to back it into my barn since my 1500 double cab was only set up for the Imagine. Fortunately the timing worked out on the trailer since the MSRP has gone up well over 20k since we got ours.

newdude · November 15, 2022

On 11/9/2022 at 9:38 AM, Rick Schleicher said:

Hey all,

First post so go easy

2021 2500HD 6.6 liter gas with 18k miles total, just got back from 7 weeks on the road pulling a 30' travel trailer, 4500 mile trip and found the oil over 2 Qts low when we got home. No light, ran like a champ

Called the dealer today and they said and I quote, "according to GMC, 1 Qt every 1,000 miles is acceptable". After a few mins of me complaining, new tech engine, no light... he said it sounds like it's time for an oil consumption test. It goes in next Monday for a fresh oil change

Using Castrol 5-30 Full Synthetic

Seems pretty high, thoughts?

On 11/11/2022 at 6:39 PM, Rick Schleicher said:

Hello again

Towing speeds for the first 7 weeks was 59-61 on cruise. The last 2 days we drove 1100 miles so speeds were up quite a bit. 70-75 is very comfortable for this rig, but I don't do it generally, wanted to get home that's for sure.

We pull a 30TT, Gran Design Imagine, don't have exact weight but it's not maxed out

I don't do anything to "lock out the over drive gears", not sure I understand what you are referring to actually. If you mean to move to manual and run in 4th, no I don't do that.

If I did my rough math right, 4500 miles, let's say average 7mpg (when pulling on a good day I get 8.5), that's 643 gals of fuel and I put in 2.5 Qts, that would be 1 Qt every 257 gals of fuel. Seems way below what the service bulletin seems to state.

Couple questions here (yes I will ask the dealer when it goes in on Monday)

* Why is the dealer wanting to do a consumption test with these numbers (he never asked about gals used, nor did he tell me about the service bulletin)

* For the test, he said it needs to be brought in every 1k miles, if they go by gals, why use miles for the test?

Rick

HD trucks they do 1 qt/100gal of fuel. Beyond that amount, its out of spec for oil consumption. They go by hours as HD trucks are more commonly exposed to higher loads, more towing, etc.

Your 1 quart/257gal is well within spec, and would be considered acceptable because it was during towing. Approximately 0.4qt/100gal of fuel. You are running higher RPMs, more engine load. Oil consumption will happen.

Edited November 16, 2022 by newdude

ShotgunZ71 · November 16, 2022

5 hours ago, newdude said:

HD trucks they do 1 qt/100gal of fuel. Beyond that amount, its out of spec for oil consumption. They go by hours as HD trucks are more commonly exposed to higher loads, more towing, etc.

Your 1 quart/257mi is well within spec, and would be considered acceptable because it was during towing. Approximately 0.4qt/100gal of fuel. You are running higher RPMs, more engine load. Oil consumption will happen.

Shew, newdude! I had to re-read the quoted post a few times until I realized your 257mi was a typo. You meant gallons, I see. I was thinking no way in the world is 1 qt/257mi acceptable for any engine.