What is normal oil consumption for L36?
12-29-2005, 06:27 PM
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What is normal oil consumption for L36?
I have 154,000 on my '96 SSE L36 and it is burning 1 quart every 2,000 miles. There is no visible smoke at start up so I would guess valve guides are ok. No leaks anywhere. I have not done a compression test to check condition of the rings. Car runs great and cranked out 29.5 MPG on the last 1700 mile road trip.
My 2 previous cars were both '92 series I EGRless. One was an SSE and the other was an olds 88 and both of these seemed very tight and only used 1 pint every 3,000 and I ran the 88 to 240,000 with no increase in consumption.
I use Castrol GTX 10W-30, NAPA gold filters and I do my own oil changes at 3,000 miles.
What are your experiences with series II oil consumption?
My 2 previous cars were both '92 series I EGRless. One was an SSE and the other was an olds 88 and both of these seemed very tight and only used 1 pint every 3,000 and I ran the 88 to 240,000 with no increase in consumption.
I use Castrol GTX 10W-30, NAPA gold filters and I do my own oil changes at 3,000 miles.
What are your experiences with series II oil consumption?
12-30-2005, 01:17 AM
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i was burning next to none on mine with 157.xxx miles.
now i seem to go through about a quart every 2-3 thousand, but im told its normal so im not too worried about it.
now i seem to go through about a quart every 2-3 thousand, but im told its normal so im not too worried about it.
12-30-2005, 07:29 AM
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If I can't change oil at 3000 miles, I have to add a quart. But then again, I need to replace my oil pan gasket.
12-30-2005, 10:23 AM
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Mine seems to lose no visible amount oil between oil changes. I know it leaks a little It leaks were trany meet the engine will actual seeps. When ever go underneath their always seem to be damp
12-30-2005, 10:59 AM
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I usually don't add between oil changes every 3k and I'm down 1/2 qt or so.
I think thats nomal. Some engines use non between changes like my moms 88 Park Ave.
I think thats nomal. Some engines use non between changes like my moms 88 Park Ave.
12-30-2005, 11:21 AM
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Everyone keep in mind that the engine technology between the series 1 and series 2 is diffrent...
The series II engines will be more proned to using a bit of oil than others...
GM considers it normal to consume as much as 1 qt per 2000 miles( I don't agree with this But thats what they say )...
My 1995 L36 3800 II was using roughly 3/4-1 qt in 3000 miles for most of its life.... At the end of July I ended up doing the lower intake gaskets and upper intake...
The new intake came with all new gaskets and a new PCV valve... Its strange now I can hear the valve function, and my oil consumption has dropped to almost nothing... I was down 1 notch from full at 4000 miles... Getting close to 145,000 miles I think... And still using almost nothing for oil...
My LN3( 1991 LE ) has been a pretty good car overall... I have gone as long as 10-12 months on Mobil 1, and when I went to change the oil it was still full.. My friends Buick Park Ave is the same way... Uses nothing for oil... Most of the Vin C, L and 1 series I 3800'* pretty much never use oil... There are a few that do, but its rare...
From what we have gathered here, especially when it comes to a 3800 II , some seem to use oil and there are a few that use nothing...
I'd say if you use less than a quart in 3000 miles than you are doing ok
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The series II engines will be more proned to using a bit of oil than others...
GM considers it normal to consume as much as 1 qt per 2000 miles( I don't agree with this But thats what they say )...
My 1995 L36 3800 II was using roughly 3/4-1 qt in 3000 miles for most of its life.... At the end of July I ended up doing the lower intake gaskets and upper intake...
The new intake came with all new gaskets and a new PCV valve... Its strange now I can hear the valve function, and my oil consumption has dropped to almost nothing... I was down 1 notch from full at 4000 miles... Getting close to 145,000 miles I think... And still using almost nothing for oil...
My LN3( 1991 LE ) has been a pretty good car overall... I have gone as long as 10-12 months on Mobil 1, and when I went to change the oil it was still full.. My friends Buick Park Ave is the same way... Uses nothing for oil... Most of the Vin C, L and 1 series I 3800'* pretty much never use oil... There are a few that do, but its rare...
From what we have gathered here, especially when it comes to a 3800 II , some seem to use oil and there are a few that use nothing...
I'd say if you use less than a quart in 3000 miles than you are doing ok
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