6 quarts burnt? No oil.

[Samuel6731]

So my mom drives a 2004 Yukon XL with the 5.3 of course.
Its completely stock, never towed really anything heavy.
Never had a strain put on it.
Never been abused, just drives 100 miles a day to and from work.
She has around 190,xxx miles on it.

Heres the problem we are having.
Over the last 6 months or so it started burning oil like crazy.
No check oil level light, no low oil pressure, everything seems normal.
One day it started smoking upon start up so i checked the oil, didnt touch the dip stick, I had to add 5 quarts of oil.
And this is repetitive, today is about the third or forth time we have had to add about 5 quarts.
I just dont understand, no smoke, no oil spots, no low pressure, no check oil level, then one day itll start to smoke and you have to add oil.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Huck]

Sounds like the oil level sensor has gone bad and that first time it got that low it really hurt the truck so now it burns lots of oil. Of course, that should mean it smokes...

 

[Tim W]

got kinda the same problem with our tahoe, at about 4k on the oil change, you can hear a rattle in the top end, kinda like a lifter rattle, and it'll be around 2qts low, scared the shit out of me the first time I had it happen

 

[Samuel6731]

yea i figured the sensor isnt working or is clogged with sludge, thats why it didnt warn us.

But thing is if it ran that low on oil why doesn't it smoke besides start up, why no rattle like stated above, why perfect oil pressure?
Shit just doesn't make sense.

I told her its time to trade it in.
or pull the motor.

 

[Bootstrap]

Check the coolant, far chance but ive seen water pumps go bad and mix fluids

Sent from my DROID RAZR

 

[Samuel6731]

We just swapped the water pump awhile back.

reservoir is normal with no signs of mixed fluid, and the oil when it is on the dipstick is just about still clear

 

[Peyton676]

Was a poor maintenced yukon all its life

 

[ScottyBoy]

I would start pricing another engine. Unless the body and interior has a lot of wear on it, then maybe trade it in.
But they wont give her shit for trade in value. People are dumping big SUV's like crazy because of gas prices. That's why I refuse to sell mine, I will never get anything remotely close to what I have put in it. So even when I do get another vehicle, I will still keep my Burban for a family roadtrip vehicle.

 

[Hunter.]

It sounds like you cranked it let it run, then cut off and checked the oil right then?

 

[Samuel6731]

maintenance peyton was always done.
filters, oil, fluids.
Yes checked the oil the correct way lol, thats the first thing i was think is im checking it wrong.
But when it took 3 quarts to make it touch the dipstick its low.

 

[barrrf]

My theory -

Few seconds of smoke on start up? Valve Stem seals..........when the engine sits and the seals arent being worked some of the oil left in the head will drain into the cylinders. When you start it, that oil gets burned off and it smokes for a short amount of time. The seals are being worked while the engine is running and the helps keep the seal.

5 quarts low in a truck that only holds 5.5? Better watch it closer. Youre lucky that engine doesnt need to be replaced.

 

[GCncsuHD]

Check the PCV as well, see if it has the updated one. That is very excessive, but the GM "allowable" consumption was 2qts per 4,000 mi oil change. My mom's 02 Tahoe was consuming 1.5qts or so per change, I updated the PCV and it's less than 1/2 qt now. My 01 has the updated PCV and there is no noticeable consumption. You may have an oil coated intake...Leaking through the PCV would generally only happen at sustained higher RPMs such as highway driving where the oil would quickly dissipate in the exhaust and not be seen at high speeds. Around town and at idle it wouldn't be pushing much through so you would see no smoke.

 

[cknox121]

Didn't know there was a correct way to check oil....


trade it in and get another

 

[Samuel6731]

Didn't know there was a correct way to check oil....


trade it in and get another

Prob gonna end up trading in the next few months
She drives 100 miles round trip to and from work and doesn't need a Yukon xl now that we all have vehicles and don't ride with her.
The little she tows am Acadia can handle because that is what she wants

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