I'm almost at my wits end on the oil consumption problem with my 2008 CTS 3.6. I thought i would list all the repairs that have been done under warranty and see if anybody could provide some insight as to what could be next. First of all the car was using 2qts of oil every 1000 miles. At 40,000 miles it has had the folowing done: updated valve cover gasket, new piston rings(with one new piston) ,bearings, timing chain, and camshaft shims, and oil fouled catyalitic converter The oil consumption is much better but still uses 2qts between oil changes. We recently left the car in my garage for 6 days and when we returned and started it up it smoked a fair amount of blueish smoke. That would lead me to believe it would be the valve guide seals but after reading more on this forum it could be as simple as the PCV system sucking oil in the intake. If the intake was loaded with oil, the oil could pool on the valves which could smoke on startt up? So installing a catch can sytem may solve the problem? Currently running another oil consumption test with the dealer who states it will be up to GM tech assist to see whats next. Any thoughts?
there's been a lot of talk about oil consumption, ingestion, catch cans, and other mods to combat these issues lately
take a look back through the CTS threads from this week and you'll probably find quite a few discussions that will help or at least give you some ideas
I would like to share my experience with Oil consumption on my 08 CTS4.
Purchased the car about 17 months ago with approx. 26k. In the first 15 months I only put about 7k miles on it, and in that time i noticed that it was burning about a quart every 1k miles which was frustrating to say the least.
I have since started driving the car almost everyday over the past couple of months putting another 2500 miles on the car, and have noticed that the oil consumption has stopped and tail pipes are now clean. (I havent used any oil in the 2500 miles)
I really cant say why it has stopped using oil, but it is possible that my driving habits have allowed it to finally break in properly ???? Regardless the reason, im much happier now that it seems it has fixed itself.
I had the same experience as 08 CTS4. I bought my 08 CTS last June and it used 2 qts every 2000 miles. I took to the dealer last month to do an oil consumption test. Since they changed the oil for the test, it has not used any oil in 1500 miles. Not sure why it stopped.
Jassiesdad, I realize you're looking for DIY input from other owners, so I just wanted to let you know that I'm available via email at Katie_Lucille@gmexpert.com if you'd like me to investigate anything further for you. Very sorry to hear your oil consumption concerns have been so frustrating for you so far!
I have an 08 CTS4 that uses a quart every 3000 miles. I run the Mobil1 that GM recommends. Local Cadillac dealer just gives me the runaround about it. I put about 75 miles on the car a day. No drips or leakage anywhere. Car does not smoke at all.
I also have a 2008 CTS4 and I have absolutely have no oil burning problem. I change my oil and filter by the OLM and have never had to add a drop between oil changes and I am what you would call an ambitious driver with at least a couple of WOT"s everyday!
And this is why yours is not using I'm willing to bet. Break them in properly(and not by babying them) and the rings seat properly and it is a non issue, but break it in easy and chances are you will consume oil the rest of its days.
Also, with the intake charge ingestion if not running a properly functioning catchcan the gunk residue forms in the ring lands and that can cause a lighhtly driven motor to have rings sticking which will result in consumption.
Search the posts I have made for pictures and data. :thumbsup:
Just an update from my earlier post.....im not at 3k miles and have used 1/2 qt which i can live with. I've also run the car pretty hard over the last 1k miles.
I don't know what it is, but these engines seem to like to be run hard. I bought mine in Feruary and it had about 6k on the oil as best I can tell. It was down more than a quart. Once I saw that, I immediately changed the oil so I don't know how far down it was. since then, it has had 2 oil changes. During the first change at 5K, it was down about a 1/2 qt and at the second change after another 5k miles it was still full and used no oil. I do not baby the car when I drive it. I don't beat on it and run it redline all the time either. I'm guessing the previous owner either used the car rarely or on very short trips based on the age and mileage.
Obviously, your commute is what it is. But making sure the engine gets up to temp and applying a good amount of throttle regularly seems to be good for the engine.
I have a 2007 CTS at 40000 mi. it started using oil, did a oil consumption test at 2000 mi it used 3 qts. The dealer pulled the engine and found a scratch in #6 cylinder wall. The extended warranty rep.looked at the problem didn't hear from them for a week. They called the dealer on Monday and told them that they are sending a new engine.
Here is what happens to the pistons and cylinder walls with the DI engines. 1st picture below shows a piston from a 3.6 LLT with 8 k miles on it.
The oil ingestion from not using a good catchcan builds up heavier deposits on the side furthest from the DI injector stream, and as you can see the piston has just minor normal scouring that has no effect on the seal:
Now this is the opposite side where the build up is heaviest, and this customer had also had a dealer reccomended upper induction cleaning done. See how the hard deposits scour the piston, damage the rings (and the cylinder wall) when forced between the piston and cylinder wall:
Also, here is a good overall explanation of all that takes place in these (and other modern engines) motors:
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