big oil consumption

**4thpontiac** · 03-01-2013

I have a 07 base grand prix that had it's low oil level message come up yesterday. I checked the level this morning and to my surprise it was down 2 quarts! I have no visible leaks, no smoke out the tail pipe, and no burning smells. Where is the oil going? I just bought the car back in October and did a oil change with mobil 1 in December and put just over 1500 miles on it since. Never seen that message come up before. The car has 63,000 miles. I just got rid of my malibu that had the popular lower intake gaskets leak and picked up this car thinking the 3.8 is much better. What should I look for? I've never owned a car that consumed so much oil without a noticeable leak.

**Fivefingerdeathpunch** · 03-01-2013

You could try replacing the PCV valve and see if it slows down some.

But It does happen where a motor just eats more oil than normal, maybe the piston rings have somehow moved a little and are causing more oil get past and the motor eats it.

**mskram1** · 03-01-2013

does ur oil smell like gas??? if so i would have to go with rings being in bad shape as well... fill her back up and drive a bit then park on a piece of cardboard overnight then check it when u leave again... 2 quarts of oil wont just turn back into a dinosaur and walk off

**4thpontiac** · 03-01-2013

There was actually a nice coating of new snow in the driveway where I parked so I will check in the morning for drips. I will also smell the dip stick for any gas. It was actually 2 quarts in 1,850 miles. I will also change the pcv since they are cheap.

**mskram1** · 03-02-2013

ah snow we got some herein tn too but its a negligable amount

**GP Guy 07** · 03-02-2013

These engines consume oil,sometimes more than normal.I check at every other fill up to be safe.In the OP case that might indicate a problem?

**dsmuts** · 03-02-2013

My car leaks a little oil but is never low at the oil change so I don't worry about it.

**Madness** · 03-02-2013

Do you make lots of short trips? Mine seems to use more when all the miles between changes are less than 10 miles. If I go on a long trip, say 250 miles each way-(500 total) it won't very much at all.

Does this make sense?

**4thpontiac** · 03-02-2013

There's no gas smell on the dipstick. I didn't notice any leaks on the ground where I parked but I want to get it up on my ramps to do a thorough inspection. I drive it to work everyday which is about 20 miles each way.

**mskram1** · 03-02-2013

then we can rule out rings... passenger side of engine close to the oil filter theres ur oil pressure sensor if it looks really clean and shiny that means oil is leaking there

**spazzz** · 03-02-2013

part of my cars diet is 1 quart of synthetic every 1000 miles....why? I dont know, from what I've read its kind of the norm for these engines.

Edit 1000 was probably more like 2000...my bad

**dsmuts** · 03-02-2013

I've never heard of a 3800 just using oil

**spazzz** · 03-02-2013

Originally Posted by dsmuts

I've never heard of a 3800 just using oil

I've read it many times...just made me feel better..chit I'm on the hunt again. Now I have to start all over. I dont have any leaks sept for maybe slight VC gasket,but a trace....nothing on ground....Google here I cum

That 1st post is probably more like 2000 miles

**FriboRage** · 03-02-2013

I've had 2 grand prixs now and both of them have had oil consumption problems, a ton frequent 1qt customers at work also drive 3800 cars.

**Scottydoggs** · 03-02-2013

GM says eating a quart of oil per every 3,000 miles is acceptable. once most engines hit 100,000 miles it like a oil eating switch went off.

to the op, your eating to much oil for sure, keep a close eye on it. every other morning, check it.

**dsmuts** · 03-02-2013

Guess when they turn 200k the oil consumption switch turns back off?

**spazzz** · 03-02-2013

Originally Posted by dsmuts

Guess when they turn 200k the oil consumption switch turns back off?

you got the perks..I'm only at 95, but I did just recently change the PCV hopefully that makes mine like your 200 machine

**Scottydoggs** · 03-02-2013

truth is i leak more then i eat lol and still only loose a quart or less every 3,000 miles, some how im sure it would be less with out the leaks. and im at 225,000. it does get dirty looking by 1500 miles tho. and quite gassy smelling by 3,000.

but both of my brand new off the lot ( a 97 and a 03) owned by me from day one, once they both hit 100,000 they ate a quart. and they had no leaks ever. and got a oil change every month, i drove them 3,000 miles or more a month. 90% highway. and i drove them both like i stole them on a daily basis.

**mskram1** · 03-03-2013

same thing 256k no oil consumption no leaks and look at my avatar i was a pizza kar for 2 years fastest pizza kar in town

**99XC600** · 03-03-2013

It's normal. It's part of the formula for the 3800's longevity. Mine does the same thing. No leaks, no burning, no white smoke. I guess it sacrifices it to the oil god's every day or so.

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