2001 SSEi Oil and Transmission Questions
#1
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NW Indiana
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2001 SSEi Oil and Transmission Questions
I own a 2001 bonneville SSEi and I need a few answer to questions that I have relating to my oil level and transmission. My car has 38,500 miles as well for additional information.
Oil Question:
I have been informed that the SSEi motors and superchargers will burn oil as you drive them. Is this a true statement? The reason I ask this question is because I am due for a oil change because I am reaching my 3000 mile mark and my "oil level low" warning came on in my dash. I checked my oil and sure enough it is down and this is for the third time. Individuals I speak to say that this will occur because of the motor design and supercharger. I run mobile 1 synthetic motor oil in the car and i am confused because i always relate low oil level to a leak of some kind and I see no drips on the ground or smoke when the car starts or is running????
Transmission:
I love my car except to the transmission and the way it reacts between the 40 and 50 MPH ranges. I believe this is when the car is shifting into overdrive and if i have to accelerate at this level, it feels like the transmission is ready to fall out of the car. I can feel the transmission or engine jerk and then it goes away. This and the oil level above issue are the only two issues I am having with the car other then the notorious intermediate shaft issue that I am going to have to have replaced as well. My question, should I replace a trans mount or motor mount to correct this issue? i have read that the front trans mount hockey puck replacement will help solve this issue and make the car more responsive to acceleration.
If someone could please help me with clarification around these two issues, I would be greatful.
TTERZ
Oil Question:
I have been informed that the SSEi motors and superchargers will burn oil as you drive them. Is this a true statement? The reason I ask this question is because I am due for a oil change because I am reaching my 3000 mile mark and my "oil level low" warning came on in my dash. I checked my oil and sure enough it is down and this is for the third time. Individuals I speak to say that this will occur because of the motor design and supercharger. I run mobile 1 synthetic motor oil in the car and i am confused because i always relate low oil level to a leak of some kind and I see no drips on the ground or smoke when the car starts or is running????
Transmission:
I love my car except to the transmission and the way it reacts between the 40 and 50 MPH ranges. I believe this is when the car is shifting into overdrive and if i have to accelerate at this level, it feels like the transmission is ready to fall out of the car. I can feel the transmission or engine jerk and then it goes away. This and the oil level above issue are the only two issues I am having with the car other then the notorious intermediate shaft issue that I am going to have to have replaced as well. My question, should I replace a trans mount or motor mount to correct this issue? i have read that the front trans mount hockey puck replacement will help solve this issue and make the car more responsive to acceleration.
If someone could please help me with clarification around these two issues, I would be greatful.
TTERZ
#2
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Bellbrook, Ohio
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have the same car and this one uses oil more than any car I've ever owned, even my '92 SSE with 175,000 miles. Plugs look new and exhaust pipes show no unusual amounts of carbon but she uses about 1/2 quart of oil every 3,000 miles. On my last oil change I was shocked to be down 1/2 quart at 1,000 miles. I topped her off and she is holding steady after another 2,000 miles. Very weird. I use 10w-30, usually store brand. I'm not going to worry about it because I know these engines go on forever. Oh, I can rev the heck out of the engine and see not a twit of smoke. No leaks either.
Regarding the trans, I get a weird lurch just once in a while. It is usually when I'm not expecting it, like when I'm just starting to climb a steep slope and I give her a little gas and slam. Just for a milisecond. Then all is okay til the next time maybe 1 or 2 months later. Go figure.
Regarding the trans, I get a weird lurch just once in a while. It is usually when I'm not expecting it, like when I'm just starting to climb a steep slope and I give her a little gas and slam. Just for a milisecond. Then all is okay til the next time maybe 1 or 2 months later. Go figure.
#3
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Meridian, ID
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bonnies love to leak oil too. So you may be losing oil from a leak and not burning. If that isn't the case try switching to synthetic oil. The molecules are all equal in size and wear equally compared to petro. They also break down more slowly and this should reduce your "burning problem." The transmission is a GM PCM programming issue. It is always looking for the most economical gear possible for fuel mileage and that 40-50 MPH range is the dead spot. The only way to get that fixed is to reprogram the PCM to change the TC settings at that speed. It helps to drive it in the "3" instead of the "D" but it doesn't totally take care of it.
#4
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Lewis Center, Ohio
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
using oil
My 2000 ssei 70,000 miles. It don't use any oil between changes.When the dic says the oil needs changing I change it.I put Mobil 1 in it
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Obviously, there is a huge variation in all engines from all manufacturers when it comes to oil consumption. My 2000 SSEi has almost 90,000 miles on it and even though I change the oil every 5-8,000 miles( I go by the oil life monitor and change when it gets to 20-25%), I have never needed to add oil. In fact, it rarely is even so much as 1/2 quart low at the change interval.
For no more than it costs, I would change the PCV valve since improper operation of the valve can cause oil consumption.
This may be out in left field but I have heard of cases where engines have had the wrong dip stick that shows normal levels when in fact they are overfilled. When you do change the oil, verify that the oil is up to the full mark.
Is it possible that the Mobil 1 you are using is thinner than recommended, causing excessive consumption?
I'm assuming that when you start the engine when it is cold that you don't have a puff of blue smoke. That would indicate a valve seal problem.
For no more than it costs, I would change the PCV valve since improper operation of the valve can cause oil consumption.
This may be out in left field but I have heard of cases where engines have had the wrong dip stick that shows normal levels when in fact they are overfilled. When you do change the oil, verify that the oil is up to the full mark.
Is it possible that the Mobil 1 you are using is thinner than recommended, causing excessive consumption?
I'm assuming that when you start the engine when it is cold that you don't have a puff of blue smoke. That would indicate a valve seal problem.
#6
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Bellbrook, Ohio
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<I would change the PCV valve since improper operation of the valve can cause oil consumption. >>
To help clarify this statement, which is so true, it has been my experience that faulty PCV valves allow crankcase blowby (all engines do that to some extent) to be retained in the valve covers thereby causing increased pressure. This leads to oil consumption due to gasket and seal leakage rather than oil burning.
To help clarify this statement, which is so true, it has been my experience that faulty PCV valves allow crankcase blowby (all engines do that to some extent) to be retained in the valve covers thereby causing increased pressure. This leads to oil consumption due to gasket and seal leakage rather than oil burning.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
VanFaasenC
Performance, Brainstorming & Tuning
19
09-08-2006 02:19 AM