'06 CTS Oil Consumption Concern - Page 3

Big_Ed · #31 (**permalink**) 08-25-09, 10:56 AM

2,000 miles - down another 1/2 quart. Actually its showing right at the bottom mark, and it was above the top mark right after the oil change, so it's more than 1 qt per 2000.

So now I'm wondering. When I first noticed the problem, I was 1500-2000 miles since the oil change. After that I put in an average of 1qt for every 1100 miles. I changed the oil when the DIC said I had 20% life remaining, about 6000 miles. It's likely that the rate of "burn" goes up as the oil gets older, so maybe I'll ignore the oil life indicator and put in the extra qt at 2k and then change the oil when it's time for the second qt @ 3-4K?

I talked to the service mgr about treatments or additives and he looked at me like I had two heads. And he is talking about how 1qt per 2000 miles is considered "normal."

He also said that changing the viscosity (10W-30) might solve the immediate consumption problem but will cause others later. He mentioned something about the cam shaft that requires the 5W to get proper lubrication.

So... that's where we are for now. I've got one more check to go at 3k, but I'm not getting any sense of urgency from the dealer. It's too bad. I really like this car, but this should not be acceptable performance. I would think that half of the target market for this car would not be able to find the hood release latch.

Is there any improvement in the next generation?

Joker99_69 · #32 (**permalink**) 08-25-09, 02:39 PM

I have the same problem. The dealer told me that it is nomal. I have never owned a car that ate that much oil. Oil is pricey. I spend $60.00 for a oil change and $30.00 for oil between. Its bull shit. Should have bought the Gm V8

MarkEBye · #33 (**permalink**) 08-29-09, 12:23 PM

UPDATE:

I am the OP for this thread and am reporting that I did consult my dealership shortly after my original post. I was advised that I was to return to the dealership once a week in order for them to monitor the situation. My visits were simply a dipstick reading and documentation of the odometer. The service writer would add Mobil 1 to the crankcase to bring the oil level up to the "full" level on each visit. These visits occurred weekly from about the end of June until last week (August 20). At one point, the head of the service department consulted with the chief "Mr. Goodwrench" at the dealership and I was told that the engine would most likely require new piston rings. The wrench explained that the Mobil 1 is so slick that internal engine parts don't seat well during break-in, causing the presenting problem. Further, he stated that he had done a couple jobs on CTS's like this before and the result was very positive. He added that he would fill the crankcase with dino oil for the first 3K miles and then switch back over to Mobil 1.

At any rate, my CTS goes in for major surgery this coming Monday morning and they expect that I should have her back by Thursday.

mikes2nd · #34 (**permalink**) 08-30-09, 09:22 PM

update on my car. I am using about half a can of bars piston ring cleaner.

I will let you know how it goes. Just changed the oil and am going to run a full cycle on the 1/2 can(can call for full jug to be used).

Well see. I think it is doing better. I am watching my exhaust tips and after a week they are only showing a slight dusting (i have cts-v exhaust).

It seems to have helped with the 1/4 jug i tried before.

MarkEBye · #35 (**permalink**) 09-07-09, 11:42 PM

UPDATE: OP here again. Picked the car up late Friday afternoon. It was all washed and sitting outside. I asked what they did, specifically. The service writer said they pulled the engine and replaced rings and valve guides. He also instructed that I run the dino oil they put in the crankcase for 3000 miles before switching back to Mobil 1. I asked if I needed to "baby doll" it to break it in and he said "drive it like you would normally drive it." A cursory peek under the hood and every thing looked "normal". The engine ran and felt good on the road. No leaks that I can see, so far. Will keep an eye out for that and the other eye on the dipstick. Stark GM in Merrill, Wisconsin did the work and so far I have been very pleased with the fact that they didn't give me any static about taking care of this issue.

txbest1980 · #36 (**permalink**) 09-07-09, 11:47 PM

how long did they have your car for?

MarkEBye · #37 (**permalink**) 09-08-09, 04:58 PM

I took it in early Monday morning, August 31st, and picked it up late afternoon on Friday, September 4th.

Big_Ed · #38 (**permalink**) 09-09-09, 01:51 PM

Glad to hear you had a good result Mark. Hope that does the trick.

I went back to my dealer for the 3000mi check and the final analysis shows that it used 2.25 qts in that time.

What does the dealer offer to remedy this? Nothing. It's the way the car is. No additives. No ring job. Nothing.

I bought the car at a different GM dealer in Massachusetts, about 90 miles away. I think I'll call them next.

txbest1980 · #39 (**permalink**) 09-09-09, 02:03 PM

wow 2.25 qts in 3k miles is horrendous...i would definitely be stadning on somebody's desk. the dealership who did the analysis for you is probably not offering you anything due to the fact they didnt sell you the car.

MarkEBye · #40 (**permalink**) 09-09-09, 06:31 PM

Hey, BigEd...

I've got to agree with txbest1980... I'd be jumping up and down on someone's desk had they taken that attitude in my case. 2.5 quarts in 3K miles is just not acceptable. I consider myself fortunate that my dealership didn't seem to flinch at all about taking care of this. I mentioned to my wife a couple times however, that if the vehicle was a Chevy Cobalt, they probably would have told me to take a flyin' leap.

I'd like to thank everyone on the forum who provided input to my issue, too!

BadAV · #41 (**permalink**) 09-29-09, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkEBye

UPDATE:

The wrench explained that the Mobil 1 is so slick that internal engine parts don't seat well during break-in, causing the presenting problem.

I don't buy this BS for a New York second. Many OEM vehicles come filled with Mobil 1 from the factory. It's just a good excuse to cover up manufacturing deficiencies.

It has been documented through oil analyses (on Bobistheoilguy) that the 3.6 is hard on oil so you should not extend service intervals too far.

I'm guessing the engine work will solve your problem but don't buy into the ring seating excuse.

Spyke · #42 (**permalink**) 09-29-09, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadAV

It has been documented through oil analyses (on Bobistheoilguy) that the 3.6 is hard on oil so you should not extend service intervals too far.

The 3.6 DI version, not the standard 3.6.

I've done a lot of UOA with oil changes interval following the DIC and always had good results for 107k miles.

I'm now at 118k miles on the odo and the DIC says 44% oil life left. I'll wait until the DIC tells me to change my oil and I'll post another UOA results on the BITOG forum like I always do.

One thing about the oil consumption I see from my personnal experience is that when I just changed the oil in the car with a fresh oil filter, my car uses 1qt of oil for the first 5-6k miles. After that, is 1qt per 3.5-4k miles.

GM has a problem with piston rings and valve seals at the moment and many srx, sts ans cts are involved in this. Unfortunately, there's no recall, only a TSB. If your car is in warranty, fine, otherwise, you'll have to pay to get it done.

What you can do is try to change oil brand. My car use more oil with pennzoil than M1. Also, it uses about 1qt per 800 miles with M1 10w30 versus 1qt per 5-6k miles with M1 5w30. I know the viscosity at 212f is not the same.

One thing I'll maybe try is to get some German Castrol Syntec 0w30 that is close to a w40 under normal operation. Great results with it but doesn't meet the 4718m specs.

BadAV · #43 (**permalink**) 09-29-09, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyke

The 3.6 DI version, not the standard 3.6.

It's also been on the 3.6 in the 2008 Enclaves/Acadias/Outlooks and they are not DI; we also happen to own a 2008 Enclave. I'm not too concerned about it as I only use full synthetic and premium filters in mine and change my oil when the DIC gets to 20% life left.

I guess I've been lucky - neither one of our 3.6's uses a drop of oil. I've only had one vehicle that ever used oil before it had over 160k miles on it and that was a 1992 Grand Caravan that used about a quart of oil in 3k miles from day one.

MarkEBye · #44 (**permalink**) 10-08-09, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadAV

I don't buy this BS for a New York second. Many OEM vehicles come filled with Mobil 1 from the factory. It's just a good excuse to cover up manufacturing deficiencies.

It has been documented through oil analyses (on Bobistheoilguy) that the 3.6 is hard on oil so you should not extend service intervals too far.

I'm guessing the engine work will solve your problem but don't buy into the ring seating excuse.

OP here again. Yeah, I'm not sure I buy that either. I've used M1 exclusively in my vehicles for over the past 10 years and I swear by it. Why would they ship new vehicles... many of them very, very pricey models... with M1 as the OEM oil fill if there was any kind of risk like this? I'm just happy I got fixed. Just took the vehicle on a 1300 mile jaunt this past week and everything is A-OK.