~1/4-1/2 qt of oil consumption in 3000 miles - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

bjared_454 · 06-17-2024, 10:08 PM

Hi, folks! I replaced my oil about 3000 miles ago in my '10 LS3 SS with Mobil1 5W-30. When I filled the prescribed amount, the dipstick would read about 75% of the way through the hatched section.

I've checked the oil periodically since then, but noticed for the first time today that oil level is a bit low (maybe around 40% of the way up the hatched section). Based on my understanding of the hatched area, that would be like a 0.4 qt loss over the last 3000 miles.

I have a catch can, and it's probably only caught a few oz. since I repaired the leaky valley cover (it had almost a whole can before that fix). But beyond this, I have seen no signs of burning/leaking/etc. Is this within "normal" range for this engine or should I be worried?

morepowerjoe · 06-18-2024, 03:48 AM

How many miles do you have on it?

bjared_454 · 06-18-2024, 08:54 AM

Only about 17,000. First owner barely drove it. I checked about half an hour after the post and it was actually slightly OVER the middle dot in the hatched section. Damn these dipsticks are a pain.

morepowerjoe · 06-18-2024, 12:40 PM

In that case I would say it's probably normal because your rings are barely broken in. lol

Mouse330 · 06-19-2024, 02:01 PM

GM says that a Qt. in 2000-3000 miles is normal. If the car doesn't have one you should install a oil catch can. The oil accumulates in the intake manifold through the PCV system.

bjared_454 · 06-19-2024, 03:27 PM

Thanks! I actually do have a catch can. I was running into some crazy PCV oil circulation issues due to a leaky valley cover, which accounted to about 5.5 oz in the can before I fixed them (and I never refilled those 5.5 oz). I ended up putting about 9 oz in just yesterday, which got me back up to full, which means I'm really only looking at 3.5 oz/3000 miles, which means like 1 qt every 27,000 miles. So not really particularly concerning, IMO.

06-17-2024, 10:08 PM	#1
bjared_454 Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 16 View My Garage	~1/4-1/2 qt of oil consumption in 3000 miles Hi, folks! I replaced my oil about 3000 miles ago in my '10 LS3 SS with Mobil1 5W-30. When I filled the prescribed amount, the dipstick would read about 75% of the way through the hatched section. I've checked the oil periodically since then, but noticed for the first time today that oil level is a bit low (maybe around 40% of the way up the hatched section). Based on my understanding of the hatched area, that would be like a 0.4 qt loss over the last 3000 miles. I have a catch can, and it's probably only caught a few oz. since I repaired the leaky valley cover (it had almost a whole can before that fix). But beyond this, I have seen no signs of burning/leaking/etc. Is this within "normal" range for this engine or should I be worried?

06-18-2024, 03:48 AM	#2
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,232	How many miles do you have on it? __________________ DSS Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP Longtubes, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator and Oil Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, Fluid Dynamics Balancer, EBC 3GD Rotors with EBC Bluestuff NDX Pads, Bilstein B6 Shocks / Struts with Eibach ZL1 Drop Springs Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

06-18-2024, 12:40 PM	#4
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,232	In that case I would say it's probably normal because your rings are barely broken in. lol __________________ DSS Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP Longtubes, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator and Oil Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, Fluid Dynamics Balancer, EBC 3GD Rotors with EBC Bluestuff NDX Pads, Bilstein B6 Shocks / Struts with Eibach ZL1 Drop Springs Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

06-18-2024, 08:54 AM	#3
bjared_454 Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 16 View My Garage	Only about 17,000. First owner barely drove it. I checked about half an hour after the post and it was actually slightly OVER the middle dot in the hatched section. Damn these dipsticks are a pain.

06-19-2024, 02:01 PM	#5
Mouse330 Drives: 2011 2SS, 2006 GMC Sierra Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: MA Posts: 316	GM says that a Qt. in 2000-3000 miles is normal. If the car doesn't have one you should install a oil catch can. The oil accumulates in the intake manifold through the PCV system.

06-19-2024, 03:27 PM	#6
bjared_454 Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 16 View My Garage	Thanks! I actually do have a catch can. I was running into some crazy PCV oil circulation issues due to a leaky valley cover, which accounted to about 5.5 oz in the can before I fixed them (and I never refilled those 5.5 oz). I ended up putting about 9 oz in just yesterday, which got me back up to full, which means I'm really only looking at 3.5 oz/3000 miles, which means like 1 qt every 27,000 miles. So not really particularly concerning, IMO.