Make and Model > Chevrolet > Avalanche > Excessive engine oil consumption GM vehicles
GM Service bulletin #10-06-01-008M fix for excessive oil consumption
GM has issued a service bulletin ##10-06-01-008M to address excessive oil consumption on the vehicles listed below. The engines have aluminum or cast iron blocks and are equipped with active fuel management systems (AFM). The fix includes installing an AFM oil deflector and cleaning carbon from the cylinder head. It also includes the installation of an updated valve cover.
Models covered by service bulletin #10-06-01-008M
2007-2014 Cadillac Escalade Models
2007-2013 Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado
2007-2014 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe
2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado
2010-2015 Chevrolet Camaro
2007-2013 GMC Sierra, Sierra Denali
2007-2014 GMC Yukon Models
2010-2012 GMC Canyon
2008-2009 Pontiac G8 GT
The service bulletin applies to all above vehicles built prior to February 1, 2011 with the following engines:
– Aluminum Block V8 Engine with Active Fuel Management (AFM) (RPOs L9H, L94, LZ1, L99, LC9, LH6, LH9, L76, L92, LFA (Hybrid))
– Iron Block V8 Engine with Active Fuel Management (AFM) (RPOs LMG, LY5)
This bulletin does not apply to the Buick Rainier, Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy equipped with LH6 due to a different design oil pan and AFM pressure relief valve.
Description of the GM excessive oil consumption problem
On higher mileage vehicles(30,000-40,000 miles) you may notice high oil consumption along with a service engine soon light on and a rough running engine. All engines consume some oil, but these vehicles consume more than one quart every 2,000-3,000 miles.
Cause of the excessive oil consumption
GM has determined that the cause of excessive oil consumption is related to two conditions:
1) PCV pullover—Too much oil is being pulled through the PCV system. PCV pullover or an overactive lifter can cause oil to be pulled through the PCV system even at low vehicle mileage. A correctly functioning PCV system will only leave a film of oil in the intake manifold.
Oil spray that is discharged from the AFM pressure relief valve within the crankcase. If you drive under extended high engine speed operation that oil spray quantity may be more than usual, resulting in excessive carbon deposit formation in the piston ring grooves. That causes increased oil consumption and cracked or fouled spark plugs in cylinders #1 and/or #7.
Fix for excessive oil consumption
For vehicles with aluminum or cast iron blocks built prior to February 1, 2011 and with oil in the intake manifold, install an updated valve cover. If vehicle is built after this breakpoint, it should already be equipped with an updated valve cover (#2 in image below).
Inspect the intake manifold to see if there is any oil puddling in the bottom. If there is you will need to replace the left valve cover.
Two new left rocker arm covers have been released for trucks and vans. Replace the left rocker arm cover with GM P/N 12570427 for 2007-2008 or GM P/N 12642655 for 2009-2011. This rocker arm cover has a relocated PCV drain hole that prevents oil from entering the intake manifold.
Note: These rocker covers are for specific years. The PCV orifice is different for each. The correct cover must be used or an SES light may set.
For Aluminum Blocks where oil is getting past piston rings
To correct this condition, install an AFM shield, perform the piston cleaning procedure as described below and install a new oil pan gasket. Then monitor oil consumption after the repair to ensure oil consumption has improved to acceptable levels.
If this repair does not correct the condition, it may be necessary to replace all of the piston assemblies (piston and rings) with new parts.
Important: It is critical in this cleaning process that the engine/fuel injector cleaner remains in the cylinders for a minimum of 2.5 hours to fully clean the components. The cleaner solution must be removed before a maximum of three hours.
Piston Cleaning Procedure
1. Remove the spark plugs and ensure that none of the pistons are at top dead center (TDC).
2. Clean the pistons by pouring 118-147 ml (4-5 oz) of Upper Engine and Fuel Injector Cleaner, GM P/N 88861803 into each cylinder. Allow the material to soak for at least 2.5-3.0 hours, but no more than three hours. Then remove the cleaner by cranking the engine over with the ignition coils and fuel injector unplugged. Be careful to avoid splling the cleaner on painted surfaces.
3. Remove the oil pan and remove the AFM valve.
4. Install the new shield (1), GM P/N 12639759, and tighten the AFM valve to the oil pan to 20 lb ft.
5. Reinstall the spark plugs. Replace the spark plugs if necessary due to full of carbon.
6. Reinstall the oil pan.
7. Re-evaluate the oil consumption.
Important: Some minor scratches may be noticed on the cylinder walls during piston and ring replacement. If the scratch cannot be felt when running your finger nail over it, the scratch is considered normal wear and the block or engine should not be replaced. It is not necessary to hone or deglaze the cylinder walls. Honing may induce unnecessary cylinder wall and /or piston ring damage if it is done incorrectly and/or not cleaned thoroughly. Cylinder walls should cleaned thoroughly with brake cleaner before installation of the new pistons and rings.
Perform piston ring break in
It will take 2000-3000 mi. for the new rings to seat. Adequate break time is necessary prior to rechecking the oil consumption level.
For Cast-Iron Blocks where oil is getting past piston rings – free up piston rings
1. Remove the spark plugs and ensure that none of the pistons are at top dead center (TDC).
2. Clean the pistons by putting 118-147 ml (4-5 oz) of Upper Engine and Fuel Injector Cleaner, GM P/N 88861803. Allow the material to soak for at least 2.5-3.0 hours, but no more than three hours and then remove the cleaner by cranking the engine with the ignition coils and fuel injectors unplugged,
3. Reinstall the spark plugs. Replace the spark plugs if necessary due to full of carbon.
4. Re-evaluate the oil consumption. If the oil consumption is still greater than 0.946 L (1 qt) in 3,200 km (2000 mi), replacement of the pistons and rings will be required.
Note: It is not necessary to install the shield when doing the piston cleaning on a cast iron block engine since the cast iron block engine uses a different oil pump than an aluminum block engine, which results in a higher engine speed before the AFM pressure relief valve opens (cast iron block engines are less prone to the AFM oil spray condition described earlier). If you find it necessary to replace the pistons and/or remove the oil pan for any other reason, only then should you add the shield.
This service bulletin does not apply to excessive oil consumption on Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain vehicles. To learn more about the lawsuit settlement for that excessive oil consumption problem, see this post.
©, 2020 Rick Muscoplat
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FAQs
Did Chevy fix the oil consumption problem? ›
Over the next four years, GM responded with poor, ineffective remedies to the issue and continued to build new engines and cars. The company does not have an official remedy for the problem, nor has it issued any recalls. GM is currently contesting the 2022 settlement.
How do you fix excessive oil consumption? ›Getting your piston rings replaced is the only good solution. When there is high oil pressure, oil will flood through the engine in excessive amounts. This oil will likely fall on the cylinders and get burnt up. This high oil pressure could be due to a faulty setting on the vehicle's central computer.
Is there a class action lawsuit against GM for oil consumption? ›A proposed class action lawsuit filed late last week claims certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles are plagued by a defect that causes the SUVs to burn or consume excessive amounts of oil, leading to a risk of catastrophic engine damage and serious safety concerns.
What is the most common cause of excessive oil consumption? ›DAMAGED PISTON RINGS
Piston rings seal the gap between the piston and the cylinder wall. When they are damaged or worn out, they cause higher oil consumption. The engine oil slowly passes through them and, consequently, enters the internal combustion chamber.
The GM Generation IV Vortec 5300 LC9 gasoline engine has been the target of multiple lawsuits over the years due to alleged excessive oil consumption issues, with vehicles covered including the 2011- through 2014-model-year Chevy Avalanche, Chevy Suburban, Chevy Silverado, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon, and GMC ...
Will disabling AFM stop oil consumption? ›When you eliminate the AFM system, the extra oil is no longer needed. Excess oil will be pushed out of the pressure relief valve into the oil pan. This will spray oil on the bottom of the cylinder walls which can cause oil burning, especially in high-rpm engines.
Why is my car losing oil but no leak? ›Low Oil But No Leak? You're Probably Burning Oil. Oil burning happens when faulty engine parts allow oil to seep into the combustion chamber. Blue-tinted smoke coming from your exhaust is a potential indicator of this issue but may not always be evident if your engine only burns small amounts.
Is there an additive to stop oil burning? ›Lucas High Mileage Oil Stabilizer helps to control blow-by, dry starts and oil burning - maximizing efficiency, reducing harmful emissions and extending oil life. Lucas High Mileage Oil Stabilizer can also be used as an IDEAL ASSEMBLY LUBE.
Will thicker oil stop oil consumption? ›To slow oil consumption, a higher viscosity grade oil can be used, especially an oil with a higher operating temperature viscosity. Oil burns when at its hottest and therefore thinnest viscosity.
Will GM buy back my car? ›GM buys the vehicle back from the original owner due to either a real or perceived issue. Usually this occurs due to a recognized issue that was not repaired in a timely manner, or the problem was misdiagnosed or not detected by the repairing dealer. These issues can range from functional to cosmetic.
What is GM doing about the lifter problems? ›
GM's Response
“if a GM customer has experienced prior valve lifter failures, dealers can replace one bank of lifters, or the engine, and offer the customer a 60-month, 100,000-mile Powertrain Component Coverage Letter, replace the entire engine, or reach out to the District Manager of Aftersales for further guidance.”
Has there been a recall on the GM 5.3 Vortec engine for excessive oil consumption? GM has not issued a recall on the oil consumption issue. GM previously issued several Technical Service Bulletins relating to the prior generation Vortec engine.
What could cause high engine oil consumption faults? ›In the majority of cases where oil consumption problems have been investigated, it usually turns out to be a leak issue – either the valve cover gasket is leaking, crankshaft seals leaking, or one of the main seals is leaking. A bad gasket down in the pan could also cause the leaking.
What is acceptable engine oil consumption? ›Oil consumption in modern passenger car engines is usually less than 0.05 %; the maximum permissible oil consumption stands at 0.5 % (all percentage values relate to actual fuel consumption).
Why is my oil consumption so high? ›Other common causes of excessive oil consumption are: contamination in the combustion chamber, a seized piston ring, or polishing of the piston wall, which reduces the sealing effect. Other – more common – causes are use of the wrong oil, oil of the wrong quality or too much oil in the crankcase.
What year did GM FIX 5.3 oil consumption? ›As we pointed out before, GM redesigned its 5.3-liter V8 engine after the 2014 model year, using different piston rings and adding a shield to deflect oil away from the piston skirts. The newer versions of the engine also feature a true oil level sensor and new valve covers.
What causes a Chevy 5.3 to burn oil? ›The truck's valve lifters sometimes cause oil-burn issues, and in other cases a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve cover baffle – if improperly sealed – might be the culprit. Other common causes of oil burn include: Corrupted piston rings.
What's the most miles ever put on a Chevy? ›Frank Oresnik broke 1.29 million miles in his 1991 Chevy C1500 pickup, which he bought used in 1996 with 41,000 miles on the odometer, according to Motorbiscuit.com.
Is it worth deleting AFM? ›To prevent spending big money on AFM related repairs, the best option is to simply delete or disable the AFM system. Not only is it a good thing to do for preventative maintenance, it also gives you a better exhaust sound and keeps your car in V8 mode at all times.
Does disabling AFM improve mpg? ›Additionally, if you happen to spend all of your driving time in the range where the factor AFM V4 mode is the most efficient (and the V8 disabler turns it off), you will see an additional hit to the mileage (usually around 1 mpg).
What year did GM stop using AFM? ›
General Motors employs a number of different technologies to boost fuel economy, but one of these technologies, namely Active Fuel Management (AFM), has nearly been phased out from the 2022 Silverado engine lineup.
What percentage of oil life does Chevy change? ›Your Chevrolet vehicle will automatically display a warning on the dashboard when your motor oil only has 15% of its life remaining.
Why does Chevy recommend synthetic oil? ›It oxidizes less easily than conventional oil. It's less viscous at lower temperatures, offers enhanced engine cleaning properties, and it is a better protectant for turbocharger engine parts.
What is the lawsuit against 2014 Chevy Equinox oil consumption? ›The lawsuits were consolidated into one claim representing owners and lessees of some Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs. The consolidated claim alleges that the Ecotec engines have defective piston rings that wear down prematurely and cause excessive oil consumption as high as one quart for every 1,000 miles.
What 5.3 is in the GM class action lawsuit? ›A faulty design in the company's Vortec LC9 5.3-liter V8 has led to a handful of class action suits. General Motors has been found liable to pay $102.6 million across 38,000 members of a federal class action suit surrounding the Vortec LC9 engine.